Teaching your dog to shake is a fun and rewarding trick that builds obedience, focus, and connection. It’s easy to learn and gives your dog something positive to do with their paws. Keep reading to find out how to train it the right way, and what to do if your dog seems uninterested or stubborn.

How to Teach Dog to Shake

Shaking hands is a natural extension of paw use

Dogs often use their paws to get attention, play, or explore. Teaching them to shake taps into this instinctive behavior in a structured way. It’s also a great way to introduce polite interactions during greetings.

Why some dogs pick it up quickly and others don’t

Some dogs are naturally more paw-oriented or physically expressive. Others may hesitate to lift their paw due to past experiences, nervousness, or simply lack of motivation. Understanding your dog’s temperament will help guide your training.

How to teach your dog to shake in 5 steps

1. Have your dog sit calmly in front of you. Hold a treat in your closed hand so they can smell it but not take it.
2. Wait for them to paw at your hand. The moment their paw touches it, say “Yes!” or “Good!” and give them the treat.
3. Repeat this until they consistently paw your hand. Then, begin saying the cue “Shake” right before they do it.
4. Start offering your open hand instead. When they place their paw in your palm, reward immediately.
5. Practice a few times per day in short, focused sessions. Over time, phase out the treat and rely more on praise.

These steps will help teach your dog to shake, but it’s important to understand that refusal to cooperate can sometimes be linked to deeper issues like lack of impulse control, physical discomfort, or even fear of touch.

And until you address those root issues directly, you’ll continue to see problems 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 get the mental stimulation they desperately need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems start to disappear fast.

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

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

Why Tricks Like Shake Help Your Dog Learn Faster

Trick training strengthens your dog’s ability to focus

Tricks like shake require your dog to listen, wait, and respond to cues. This improves their impulse control and helps them stay calm in other situations. It also builds confidence as they succeed at new tasks.

It encourages better engagement with you

Dogs who are taught tricks tend to pay more attention to their owners overall. They see training time as fun and rewarding. This makes it easier to redirect them during moments of distraction or misbehavior.

Shaking can be used to reinforce other behaviors

You can use shake as a polite alternative when your dog wants attention or as a break during longer training sessions. It creates structure and keeps training playful instead of overwhelming.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix

My dog won’t lift their paw at all

If your dog is hesitant, try gently tapping or lifting their paw to guide the motion at first. Keep your tone upbeat and use high-value treats. Never force it, go slowly and reward even small efforts like a paw twitch or shift.

My dog gets too excited and jumps or paws wildly

This usually means your dog is overexcited or unsure of what you want. Go back a step and reward calmer attempts. Use calm praise and keep sessions short. If needed, cue a sit before trying again.

They learned shake with one paw only

Most dogs have a dominant paw and will favor one side. Once your dog masters shaking with one, use your other hand and treat the new side as a separate trick. Label it as “Other Paw” to distinguish the cue.

Teach Dog Shake FAQs

Is it okay to physically guide my dog’s paw?

Yes, but do it gently and only as a prompt. If your dog resists or seems uncomfortable, back off and let them offer the behavior on their own. You want to build trust, not force the movement.

Can puppies learn to shake?

Absolutely. Puppies as young as 8 weeks can begin learning simple tricks like shake. Keep sessions short and fun, and focus on rewarding effort rather than perfection. It sets the stage for future learning.

Will teaching shake confuse my dog when I teach high five?

No, as long as you clearly separate the cues and hand positions. Shake usually involves a low hand position, while high five is presented higher up. Use distinct commands and always reward correctly to avoid mixing them up.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to shake is a simple and enjoyable way to build skills, increase engagement, and boost confidence. With the right approach, your dog will be shaking paws in no time. Have fun and celebrate every small success along the way!

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