Teaching your dog to high five is a fun and rewarding trick that builds connection, improves focus, and adds an impressive command to your training routine. It is also a great way to teach paw awareness and promote polite interaction. Keep reading to learn how to do it right!

Why Teaching a Dog to High Five Matters

It builds confidence and communication between you and your dog.

This trick creates more than just a cute moment. When dogs learn gestures like a high five, they are building trust in your guidance and learning to interpret subtle cues. This can improve their response to other obedience commands as well.

It helps your dog focus on you during training sessions.

Dogs that get bored or distracted benefit greatly from interactive tricks. Asking for a high five encourages them to stay engaged. When they know you might ask for a quick trick at any time, they are more likely to keep their attention on you.

How to teach a dog to high five

1. Start by having your dog sit. Hold a treat in your closed fist just above their paw level.
2. Wait for your dog to lift their paw or paw at your hand. The moment they do, mark it with a “yes!” or a click, and reward with the treat.
3. Repeat this process several times until your dog consistently offers their paw.
4. Begin saying “high five” right before they lift their paw. Open your palm and catch the paw as they reach up, then reward.
5. Gradually fade the treat and start rewarding intermittently while keeping your praise strong.

These steps will help teach your dog to high five, but it is important to understand that refusal to cooperate can sometimes be linked to deeper problems like lack of impulse control, anxiety, or even fear of touch.

And until you address those root issues directly, you’ll continue to have trouble in other areas.

“Okay, so how do I do that then?

You do it by developing your dog’s intelligence, that’s how! When they’re truly given the mental stimulation they need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems will quickly become a thing of the past.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games with your dog all developed by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her incredible results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end all your dog’s bad behavior while also teaching them to sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk by your side. It’s all very simple and will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains how her system works here, go take a look!

Common Mistakes When Teaching the High Five Trick

Expecting too much too fast can confuse your dog.

Dogs need time to understand new tricks, especially ones involving body parts like paws. If you rush the training or expect perfection too early, your dog might get frustrated or stop trying altogether.

Overusing treats may lead to a dog who only responds when food is visible.

Using treats to motivate your dog is fine, but do not rely on them forever. Gradually fade them out by replacing them with praise, petting, or short games. This keeps the trick fun and reliable in the long term.

Skipping the pawing phase makes the command harder to teach.

If you try to jump straight to the high five without encouraging your dog to lift their paw first, they will not understand the gesture. Always shape the behavior by reinforcing even small attempts to raise the paw before refining the motion.

How to Keep Your Dog Engaged During Training

Keep training sessions short and upbeat.

Dogs learn better when sessions are fun and energetic. Stick to sessions that last around 5 to 10 minutes and end on a success. This prevents boredom and keeps your dog excited for the next round.

Use praise, toys, or play as rewards.

Not every dog responds best to food. Some may prefer a tug toy, a quick play session, or even a belly rub. Learn what motivates your dog and use it strategically to keep them focused and happy.

Always train in a distraction-free environment first.

Before adding difficulty, make sure your dog can succeed in a quiet setting. Once they master the high five indoors, you can gradually introduce new locations, sounds, and distractions to strengthen their reliability.

Teaching Your Dog High Five FAQs

What if my dog already knows how to shake?

If your dog already knows how to shake, you are halfway there. High five builds off the same movement. You will just need to change your hand position and add a new cue word like “high five” or “gimme five.” Most dogs catch on quickly when the reward is strong.

Why does my dog keep biting or mouthing my hand?

This usually happens when dogs are excited or confused. If your dog starts mouthing, pause the session and let them calm down. You can also reward with a toy instead of a hand-delivered treat if needed.

Can puppies learn the high five trick?

Yes, puppies can learn this trick, especially if they are already comfortable with their paws being handled. Just make sure to keep sessions very short and playful. Young dogs may take longer to focus, but they tend to enjoy interactive tricks like this one.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to high five adds fun and enrichment to your training routine. It is a great way to build communication, confidence, and a stronger bond between you and your dog. Have fun with it, and enjoy the results!

Be sure to pin this before you go so you’ll be able to refer back to the steps!