Would you like your dog to give you the paw every time you ask him? To teach him, you will have to have a little patience and a lot of dog treats, as he is going to learn something totally new to him.
To make it much easier for you, it is important not to be in a hurry. Each furry has its own learning pace, but you'll see how your dog achieves it. Discover how to teach a dog to paw step.
First: teach him to sit
Sitting is very natural for dogs, so teaching the command "sit" is very easy. To do this, you can do two things, or both in different situations:
- Every time you see him sit down, and BEFORE he does, say "sit" and when he does, give him a doggie treat that he really likes.
- The next option is to show him the treat, and pass it over the back of his head, always keeping it very close to his nose. You will see that he crouches down, and as he does so, he will sit down. Then you can say "sit" and give him the treat.
Depending on the case, you may have to repeat it many times, but it will not take long to learn it if you are constant. Once he knows, you can teach him to screw up.
Second: Teach him to give the leg
This command is somewhat more complicated, but equally all dogs can learn it. To do this, you will also need dog treats. It is done as follows:
- Ask him for a "sit down."
- Show him the treat, holding it between your thumb and index finger.
- Place your hand at a height where the dog can reach it.
- Wait for him to put his paw on your hand. Do not say anything. Once he puts it on, give him the prize. Repeat about five times in five minutes for a few days, until you see that he has gotten the message.
- He begins to say the verbal command (for example, "leg") each time you show him your hand with the treat. So little by little you will understand that the order is no longer the candy, but the word "leg." After he has completed it, give him his award.
- Little by little and gradually, ask for the leg without using any candy. If he follows the order, give him a pat or say "very good."
- Once he has learned to give his paw, try him to give you the other. You have to follow this same sequence.
Sessions should be short, no more than five minutes. This will prevent you from getting frustrated.