How long does it take to teach a dog to shake hands?

Most dogs learn to shake hands in 3-7 training sessions when using the proper method. Each session should be 5 minutes long, done twice daily for best results.

What if my dog won't lift their paw to shake?

Try holding a treat in your closed fist near their chest level and wait for them to naturally paw at it. Lower your hand if needed, use higher-value treats, or try working with their preferred paw.

Should I force my dog's paw up to teach shake?

No, forcing the movement can create negative associations and make your dog paw-shy. It's much more effective to capture their natural pawing behavior and reward it consistently.

How to Teach a Dog to Shake Hands: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting Started: The Foundation for Success

Teaching your dog to shake hands (or "shake paws" if we're being technical) takes most dogs 3-7 training sessions when done correctly. The key is building on your dog's natural pawing behavior rather than forcing the movement.

Before you start, your dog should already know "sit" reliably. I've seen too many owners skip this step and wonder why their dog jumps around instead of offering a polite paw. Also, have small, high-value treats ready—something your dog goes crazy for, not their regular kibble.

The 4-Step Training Method

Step 1: Capture the Natural Movement

Sit on the floor with your dog in front of you. Hold a treat in your closed fist near their chest level, just slightly to one side. Don't say anything yet—just wait. Most dogs will sniff, then paw at your hand within 30 seconds.

The instant their paw touches your hand, say "Good!" and give the treat. Repeat this 5-10 times until your dog consistently paws at your closed fist.

Step 2: Add the Verbal Cue

Now you'll add the command. Say "shake" just before presenting your closed fist. When their paw touches your hand, praise and treat immediately. Practice this for 2-3 days, doing 5-minute sessions twice daily.

Here's something most training guides miss: timing matters more than repetition. If you're even half a second late with your praise, you might accidentally reward the paw coming down instead of going up.

Step 3: Open Your Hand Gradually

Start opening your fist slightly while giving the "shake" command. Your dog should still paw toward your hand. Gradually open it more over several sessions until you're presenting an open palm.

This transition trips up about 40% of dogs in my experience. If your dog stops offering their paw, go back to the closed fist for a few more sessions.

Step 4: Shape It Into a Proper Handshake

Once your dog reliably paws at your open hand, you can start gently catching their paw and giving it a little shake before releasing and treating. This teaches them that the behavior includes holding the position briefly, not just a quick tap.

What If It's Not Working?

If your dog isn't pawing at your fist after several attempts, try these troubleshooting steps:

Lower your hand: Some dogs are reluctant to lift their paws high. Start closer to ground level.
Use a different treat: Your reward might not be motivating enough. Try cheese, chicken, or whatever makes your dog drool.
Check your timing: Record yourself training and watch it back. Late timing kills progress faster than anything.
Try the other paw: About 60% of dogs have a preferred paw, just like humans have a dominant hand.

For dogs who seem confused, you can gently lift their paw yourself while saying "shake," but use this as a last resort. Dogs learn better when they offer the behavior voluntarily.

Common Mistakes That Slow Progress

After working with thousands of dogs, I see the same errors repeatedly:

Training sessions that are too long. Keep it to 5 minutes max. Dogs' attention spans are shorter than you think, and you'll both get frustrated.

Inconsistent commands. Pick "shake," "paw," or "give me five"—whatever feels natural to you—but stick with it. Using different words confuses your dog.

Forgetting to phase out treats. Once your dog knows the trick, gradually reduce treats to occasional rewards. Otherwise, they'll only perform when they see food.

Rushing the process. I've seen owners get impatient and try to force their dog's paw up. This creates negative associations and can make your dog paw-shy.

Breed and Age Considerations

Certain breeds pick this up faster than others. Golden Retrievers, Labs, and other sporting breeds typically learn within 2-3 sessions because they're naturally interactive. Herding breeds like Border Collies learn quickly but might offer both paws simultaneously—they're overachievers.

Independent breeds like Shiba Inus or Basenjis might take longer and need extra motivation. Don't take it personally; it's just their personality.

For puppies under 16 weeks, keep sessions extra short (2-3 minutes) and focus more on making it fun than perfect execution. Senior dogs might need more time due to arthritis or joint stiffness—be patient and consider their physical comfort.

Taking It to the Next Level

Once your dog masters the basic shake, you can add variations:

Teaching specific paws ("right paw," "left paw")
High-five with their paw higher up
"Shake hello" when meeting new people (with permission)
Adding a "wave" motion before the shake

Remember, consistency beats intensity every time. Five minutes of focused practice daily will get you better results than one marathon session on the weekend.

Need help troubleshooting your specific situation or want to explore more advanced tricks? Our AI Dog Trainer can provide personalized guidance based on your dog's breed, age, and learning style.