Please help with simple trick - Page 1

OK this is my last resort. My dog, who is by no means a stupid dog, will not shake a paw. I have been trying by the simple "sit" give your paw, take the paw and shake it, treat, praise. This however just is not working, and I need some help!

Has anybody taught there dog this simple trick by using any other methods? Please help!! thank you!

Hi, I'm sorry that no-one has got back to you on this one.  All my dogs do it but it is an instinctual think with me and I wouldn't know how to break this down for you.

Have you tried free shaping it with a clicker.  Just click and treat for the slightest movement towards lifting a paw.  You could then progress that onto many other tricks like left or right paw, high five even being a bear.  All have start with the slightest lift of a paw. 

If you try freeshaping and are not fermiliar with clicker training the rule is behaviour first then put a cue on it rather than the more traditionally the other way round.

Sorry not to be any more help than that but maybe some one else with be able to add to this.

Jess

thank you very much, I will try to do what I can with that :)

Just a spin off of what JJ said.....have you ever taught him to "touch"? Also done easily with freeshaping or luring. Very simple transition to a sit and then 'touch' your hand into a shake.

 I have free shaped it, used targeting/touch, but have also got the dog to lift his paw the other way. just taking the paw and shaking it doesn't require the dog to do anything. He may think he's getting praised for LETTING you take his paw. You need him to move his paw on his own. One trick I've tried is using the other hand to push slightly on the dogs shoulder, moving them slightly off balance. When they pick up their foot slightly because they're off balance, I catch it with the other hand, mark it (clicker or verbal) and reward it. I've also tried tickling their paw with a feather, or putting a piece of tape on their paw, just anything to get them to lift their paw, then I can catch it and reward it. Every one of them learns a little differently, but just some things to try:-)

I did it your way (taking paw, saying shake, treating).  That worked for one of my dogs after about 4 weeks of doing that every night for about 10 minutes.  With my other dogs I started as puppies and would hold the food in my hand and scratch them under the chin until they raised their paw, the clicked and treated.