Teaching the shake command starts with a sit and a treat lure
The shake command is one of the easiest tricks to teach because it builds on something dogs do naturally—lifting their paw. You will need your dog to know how to sit first. The training takes place in short sessions of five to ten minutes, in a quiet space where your dog can focus. You will need small, soft treats that your dog can eat quickly without chewing for long.
The core method is to lure your dog's paw up with a treat held just out of reach, mark the moment the paw touches your hand with a word like "yes," and reward when ready. Dogs learn fastest when the reward comes within one second of the behavior you want. Consistency matters more than long training sessions—three five-minute sessions a day will teach faster than one thirty-minute session.
Key Takeaways
- Your dog must know how to sit before you start teaching shake, because the command builds from a sitting position.
- Hold a treat just above your dog's paw level and slightly to one side so the dog naturally lifts a paw to reach it.
- The moment the paw touches your hand, say "yes" or use a clicker, then give the treat within one second.
- Practice in five to ten minute sessions, three times a day, in a quiet space where your dog can concentrate.
- Once your dog lifts the paw on cue, add the word "shake" before luring, so the dog learns to associate the word with the action.
The setup: position and timing
Sit on the floor or on a low chair so you are at your dog's eye level. Ask your dog to sit in front of you. Hold a treat in your closed fist and hold your fist at about chest height, slightly to one side—not directly in front of the dog's nose. Most dogs will naturally paw at your hand to get the treat.
The moment the paw touches your hand, say "yes" in a happy, clear voice and open your hand to give the treat. Do this ten to fifteen times in one session. Your dog will start to understand that touching your hand with the paw makes the treat appear. This is the foundation. Do not move to the next step until your dog is lifting the paw reliably every time you hold out your closed fist.
Adding the word "shake"
Once your dog lifts the paw on cue without hesitation, add the word "shake" just before you hold out your hand. Say "shake" in a clear, upbeat voice, then when ready present your open hand (or closed fist, depending on what your dog has learned to do). When the paw touches, say "yes" and reward.
Repeat this twenty to thirty times over several sessions. Your dog will begin to connect the word "shake" with the action of lifting the paw. At this stage, you can also start opening your hand instead of keeping it closed—this teaches the dog that "shake" means to place the paw in your open palm, which looks more like an actual handshake.
Troubleshooting: what to do if your dog jumps or bites
If your dog jumps up instead of lifting just the paw, you are holding the treat too high. Lower your hand to chest height or even waist height. If your dog is mouthing or biting your hand instead of pawing it, close your fist completely so the treat is not visible, and only open it after the paw makes contact. This teaches the dog that teeth do not work—only the paw gets the reward.
If your dog seems confused or loses interest, the session is too long or the treats are not rewarding enough. Switch to a higher-value treat (something your dog loves more) and shorten sessions to three minutes. Some dogs learn shake in a few days; others take two weeks. The pace depends on the individual dog, not on you doing something wrong.
Phasing out the treat lure
Once your dog reliably shakes on the word "shake," you can begin to fade the treat lure. Instead of holding a treat in your hand, hold your empty open hand and say "shake." When the dog places the paw in your hand, say "yes" and reach into your pocket or a pouch to give the treat. This teaches the dog that the word "shake" and the hand gesture are the real cues, not the visible treat.
Over the next week or two, gradually delay the treat reward by a second or two. Say "shake," the dog shakes, you praise with "yes," and then you give the treat. This builds the behavior so it does not depend on an when ready reward every single time. Many dogs will continue to shake even when treats are not involved, because the behavior has become a habit and because praise and petting feel rewarding too.
Practicing in different places and with different people
Once your dog shakes reliably at home, practice in other quiet places—a friend's house, a park bench, a training class. Dogs do not automatically understand that "shake" means the same thing in a new location. Start over with the treat lure in the new place, even if your dog knows the command at home. This usually takes only a few repetitions because the dog already understands the concept.
Invite friends and family to ask for a shake. This teaches your dog that the command works with different people, not just you. Have your helpers use the same word and hand gesture you use. If someone uses a different word or gesture, your dog may not respond—dogs learn the exact cue, not the general idea.
Common mistakes that slow down learning
The most common mistake is rewarding too slowly. If you say "yes" but then take five seconds to find a treat, your dog will not connect the reward to the paw lift. Keep treats in your pocket or a pouch on your belt so you can reward within one second. The second mistake is practicing too long in one session. A tired or bored dog stops learning. Five to ten minutes is the right length.
A third mistake is changing the cue word or hand signal. If you say "shake" one day and "paw" the next, or use an open hand one day and a closed fist the next, your dog gets confused. Pick one word and one hand position and stick with it. Finally, do not practice when your dog is tired, hungry, or distracted by other dogs or people. Training works best when your dog is alert and focused on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old does my dog need to be to learn shake?
Most puppies can learn shake at around four to five months old, when they have enough attention span for short training sessions. Older dogs and adult dogs learn just as quickly or faster. Age is not a barrier—dogs of any age can learn this trick.
What if my dog only lifts one paw and I want both?
Once your dog shakes with one paw reliably, you can teach the other paw by holding the treat on the opposite side. Use a different word like "other paw" or "shake left" so your dog knows which paw you want. Train the second paw the same way you trained the first, starting with the treat lure.
Do I need a clicker to train shake?
A clicker is helpful but not required. A clicker is a small device that makes a consistent clicking sound, and it marks the exact moment your dog does the right thing. You can use the word "yes" instead. What matters is that you mark the behavior quickly and reward within one second.
My dog shakes at home but not when we visit other places. Why?
Dogs do not automatically transfer a command to new locations. The new place has different sights, sounds, and smells, and your dog's attention is divided. Practice shake in the new location with treats, just as you did at home. This usually takes only a few repetitions because your dog already knows the behavior.
Can I train shake if my dog does not like treats?
Find a reward your dog does like—it might be a toy, a game of fetch, or praise and petting. Some dogs are not food-motivated. Use whatever makes your dog happy and excited. The reward needs to come when ready after the behavior, so it has to be something you can deliver quickly.