Teaching shake is one of the easiest tricks to train

Your dog already knows how to lift a paw — they do it naturally when they walk, scratch, or get your attention. Teaching shake means capturing that paw movement and connecting it to your hand and a command word. Most dogs learn this trick in one to three training sessions of 5 to 10 minutes each, and the skill sticks because it feels rewarding to both of you.

The core method is straightforward: hold a treat close to your dog's nose, move your hand slightly to the side, wait for them to paw at your hand to get the treat, then when ready say "shake" and reward. Repetition builds the connection between the word, the action, and the payoff. You do not need any special equipment — just small treats your dog loves and a quiet space where they can focus.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with high-value treats — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats that your dog will work for.
  • Hold your open palm at chest height and lure your dog's paw toward it by moving the treat slightly out of reach.
  • Mark the moment the paw touches your hand by saying "shake" when ready, then give the treat within one second.
  • Practice in short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, three to five times per week, in a space with few distractions.
  • Once your dog reliably paws at your hand on cue, gradually reduce the lure and reward only when they shake on the verbal command alone.

Gather treats and pick your training space

Choose treats small enough that your dog can eat one in under two seconds — a piece the size of a pea or a small kibble works well. If your dog is not food-motivated, use a toy they love instead, but food usually works faster for this trick. Have 20 to 30 treats ready before you start so you do not have to hunt for them mid-session.

Pick a quiet room with few distractions — a hallway, bedroom, or quiet corner of a living room is ideal. Your dog should be able to focus on you and your hand, not on other people, pets, or sounds. Training sessions work best when your dog is alert but not overly excited or tired. Early morning or after a short walk is often a good time.

Lure your dog's paw toward your open hand

Sit or kneel so you are at your dog's eye level. Hold a treat in your closed fist and let your dog sniff it. Then open your hand slightly — just enough that they can see the treat but not grab it easily. Most dogs will naturally paw at your hand to try to get the treat out. The moment their paw touches your hand, say "shake" in a clear, upbeat voice and when ready open your hand to give them the treat.

If your dog does not paw at your hand right away, try moving your hand slightly to the side or up, which often triggers the pawing behavior. Some dogs will lick or nose your hand instead — that is fine for now. Reward any paw contact, even if it is gentle or brief. Repeat this 10 to 15 times in one session. Your dog will start to understand that pawing your hand makes the treat appear.

Say the command at the exact moment the paw touches

Timing is the most important part of this step. You must say "shake" in the split second your dog's paw makes contact with your hand — not before, not after. This teaches your dog that the word "shake" means "put your paw on my hand." If you say it too early or too late, the connection between the word and the action becomes fuzzy.

Use the same word every time. "Shake," "paw," or "touch" all work — pick one and stick with it. Say it in a happy, encouraging tone so your dog associates the word with something fun. when ready after you say the command, give the treat. This one-second window between the action, the word, and the reward is what builds the habit.

Practice in short, frequent sessions

Train for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, then stop. Short sessions keep your dog's focus sharp and prevent them from getting bored or frustrated. Three to five sessions per week is enough for most dogs to learn shake in one to three weeks. If your dog seems tired or loses interest, end the session on a positive note — do one successful shake, reward it, and stop.

Keep a straightforward record: write down the date and how many successful shakes your dog did in each session. You will see progress week to week. If your dog is not improving after two weeks of regular practice, slow down and spend more time on the lure-and-paw step before moving forward. Some dogs learn faster than others, and that is normal.

Fade the treat lure and reward only the command

Once your dog reliably paws at your hand when you hold a treat, start opening your hand without a treat inside. Instead, hold your open palm at chest height and say "shake." Your dog should paw at your hand out of habit. When they do, when ready give them a treat from your other hand or pocket. This teaches them to shake on the verbal command alone, not just when they see food.

Over two to three weeks, gradually reduce how often you give a treat after each shake. You might reward every shake for the first week, then every other shake the second week, then randomly — sometimes after one shake, sometimes after three. This unpredictable reward schedule actually makes the behavior stick longer. Eventually, your dog will shake on command for praise alone, though occasional treats keep the trick fresh and fun.

Troubleshoot common problems

Your dog jumps instead of pawing: This usually means your hand is too high. Lower your palm to chest height or even waist height. Some dogs naturally jump when excited — if this happens, take a step back and wait for them to calm down before trying again.

Your dog uses the wrong paw: Dogs often have a dominant paw, just like people are right- or left-handed. If your dog always uses their left paw and you want the right, position your hand on their right side to encourage that paw. Or accept the dominant paw — the trick works either way.

Your dog forgets the command after a few days: This means you stopped practicing. Shake needs a refresh every few days for the first month. Once your dog has done it correctly 50 to 100 times over several weeks, the behavior becomes more permanent. But like any skill, it fades without practice.

Your dog paws at you randomly throughout the day: This is actually a sign the trick worked — your dog learned that pawing gets your attention. Ignore random pawing and only reward it when you give the "shake" command. This teaches them when the behavior is appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old should my dog be before I teach shake?

Most dogs can learn shake at any age after about 12 weeks old, when they can focus for short periods. Puppies learn faster because they are naturally playful and food-motivated, but adult dogs and senior dogs learn just as well — they may just need slightly longer sessions or more repetition.

What if my dog is not food-motivated?

Use a toy they love instead of treats — a ball, squeaky toy, or tug rope. The reward does not have to be food. Some dogs will work for praise and a quick play session. Experiment with what makes your individual dog excited, then use that as the reward.

Can I teach shake to a dog that is already older or has never trained before?

Yes. Older dogs and dogs new to training learn shake just as well as puppies. They may need more repetition and slightly longer sessions, but the method is the same. Start with very high-value treats to build motivation, and be patient with the pace.

Should I teach shake to both paws?

You can teach both paws by using different commands — "shake" for the right paw and "other paw" or "high five" for the left. But start with one paw first. Once your dog reliably shakes with one paw, the second paw usually comes much faster because they understand the game.

What if my dog shakes without being asked?

Your dog is trying to get your attention or a reward. Ignore the unprompted shake and only reward it when you give the command. If your dog shakes constantly, you may have rewarded it too often. Go back to rewarding only on command for a few weeks to reset the behavior.