Teaching shake is one of the fastest tricks to train, and most dogs learn it in three to five sessions
The shake command works because it builds on a natural behavior — dogs already paw at things they want. You are not teaching your dog a new motion; you are teaching them when and why to do it on purpose. The process takes about five to ten minutes per session, and you will need small treats your dog loves enough to focus on.
Start with your dog sitting in front of you in a quiet space with no distractions. Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly move your hand up and slightly to the side. Most dogs will naturally paw at your hand to try to get the treat. The moment their paw touches your hand, say "shake" clearly, give the treat when ready, and praise them. Repeat this ten to fifteen times in one session. Your dog does not need to understand the word yet — they are learning that pawing your hand leads to a reward.
Key Takeaways
- Hold a treat near your dog's nose and move it upward; most dogs will paw naturally, and you reward that paw contact with the word "shake."
- Timing matters most — say the command word the when ready the paw touches your hand, not before or after.
- Practice five to ten minutes per session, three to five days a week, in a quiet space where your dog can focus.
- Once your dog paws on command, gradually reduce the treat lure and switch to rewarding with praise and occasional treats instead.
The first week: building the paw-touch habit
In sessions one through three, your only goal is to get your dog pawing your hand reliably when you hold the treat lure. Do not worry about the word "shake" sticking yet. Hold the treat at nose level, move it upward slowly, and wait. If your dog sits and stares, move the treat a little higher or to the side — most dogs will paw within seconds. The when ready the paw touches your hand, mark the moment with "shake," give the treat, and praise.
Repeat this cycle ten to fifteen times per session. Stop before your dog gets bored or tired. A short, successful session is better than a long one where your dog loses interest. Between sessions, let your dog rest. Training the same trick two days in a row is fine, but three days in a row can lead to fatigue and slower progress.
By the end of the first week, your dog should paw at your hand whenever you hold the treat lure and move it upward. They may not yet understand the word "shake," but they understand the pattern: paw comes out, treat comes in.
The second week: fading the treat lure
Once your dog paws reliably, start removing the treat from your hand. Instead of holding the treat as a lure, hold your empty hand in the same position and say "shake" before your dog paws. If they paw, reward with a treat from your other hand or your pocket. This teaches your dog to respond to the word and your hand position, not just the sight of food.
In the first few repetitions of this step, your dog may not paw because they do not see the treat lure. That is normal. Go back to the lure for a few reps, then try the empty hand again. Gradually, your dog will learn to paw at your empty hand on command. Once they do, reward when ready with a treat from elsewhere.
By the end of week two, your dog should shake on command without needing to see a treat in your hand first. They may still need a reward after, but the lure is gone.
Moving from treats to praise and occasional rewards
After your dog shakes reliably on command, you can start mixing up the rewards. Sometimes give a treat, sometimes give only praise and a pat. This teaches your dog that shake is worth doing even when a treat is not may provide. Vary the reward so your dog stays engaged — if every shake gets a treat, they may stop shaking if you run out of treats or forget one.
A good pattern is to reward with a treat every second or third time, and praise every time. Say "good shake" or "yes" enthusiastically when they paw, even if no treat follows. Over weeks, your dog will shake happily for praise alone, though occasional treats keep the trick sharp.
Common mistakes that slow progress
The most common error is saying "shake" too early or too late. Say the word the when ready your dog's paw touches your hand, not before they paw and not after they pull away. If you say it too early, your dog learns the word means "get ready to paw," not "paw now." If you say it too late, they may not connect the word to the action.
Another mistake is using a treat your dog does not care about. If you are using regular kibble and your dog is only mildly interested, training will be slow. Use something they love — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a special training treat. The higher the value, the faster they learn.
Do not practice in a distracting environment. If your dog is in the backyard with squirrels running past, they will not focus on your hand. Train indoors, in a quiet room, with no other people or pets nearby. Once your dog knows shake well, you can practice anywhere.
Troubleshooting when your dog does not paw
If your dog sits and stares at your hand without pawing, try moving the treat lure higher or more to the side. Some dogs need the lure to be slightly out of reach to trigger the paw. You can also gently tickle the back of their leg or the side of their chest — this often makes them paw reflexively. The moment they do, say "shake" and reward.
If your dog jumps instead of sitting and pawing, ask them to sit first and wait for them to settle before you start the lure. A dog that is already sitting is much more likely to paw than to jump. If they jump during training, stop the session, let them calm down, and start again.
Some dogs take longer than others. If your dog has not pawed by the end of session two, do not assume they cannot learn. Switch to a higher-value treat, practice in an even quieter space, or try a different time of day when your dog is more alert. Patience and consistency matter more than speed.
Combining shake with other commands
Once your dog knows shake, you can chain it with other tricks. For example, ask your dog to sit, then shake, then lie down. This keeps training interesting and shows your dog that tricks can connect. You can also teach "other paw" — the same process, but you reward when the opposite paw touches your hand, and you use a different word like "other shake" or "high five."
Teaching a second paw trick usually goes faster because your dog already understands the pattern. They know that pawing gets rewards. You are just teaching them which paw and which word. Most dogs learn the second paw trick in two to three sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old does my dog need to be to learn shake?
Dogs as young as eight weeks can learn shake, though puppies under four months have short attention spans and may only manage two or three successful reps per session. Older puppies and adult dogs learn faster and can focus longer. Age is less important than your dog's ability to sit and pay attention to you.
What if my dog uses the wrong paw?
Dogs often have a preferred paw, just like people are right or left-handed. If your dog always uses the left paw and you want the right, you can guide them by positioning your hand on their right side. However, most owners accept whichever paw their dog offers. The trick works the same either way.
Can I train shake if my dog does not like treats?
Yes, but it will be slower. Use whatever your dog loves most — a favorite toy, a chance to go outside, or enthusiastic praise. Some dogs are toy-motivated rather than food-motivated. If that is your dog, use a quick game of tug or fetch as the reward instead of food.
Why does my dog shake without being asked?
Once dogs learn shake, they often offer it unprompted because they have learned it gets rewards. This is actually a good sign — it means they understand the trick. You can manage this by only rewarding shake when you ask for it, and ignoring unsolicited paws. Your dog will learn to wait for the command.
How long does it take to train shake?
Most dogs learn to shake on command within three to five training sessions spread over one to two weeks. Some learn in two sessions; others need a week or more. Consistency matters more than speed. Three short sessions per week will get faster results than one long session per week.