The Simple Tricks are the Best

In working with Jethro (the 75 pound AmStaff) we have decided one of the things we do NOT want to teach him to to jump up, like Hondo (the 20 pound Shiba Inu) does. Cute when Hondo does it, potentially scary when Jethro does it. So I started on 'shake.' A good, simple trick that will serve him well in his future Therapy Dog days.


Jethro has a high food drive, so getting his attention is generally an easy thing regardless of what kind of treat you have. I began by getting his attention, then having him sit. I would then say 'Shake" clearly, then pick up his paw the way I wanted him to and shook it, then praised him vigorously and gave him a treat. I would then repeat this, but generally only once.

One of the mistakes I believe some people make is over working the dog, meaning they have the dog repeat something so many times that they actually turn the dog OFF and hurt their progress in the long run. The dog begins to actively NOT pay attention and wants nothing more than to get out of there.

I did this with Jethro once or twice a day, repeating the process as described above. By the second time on the second day, I could see he was starting to get it, and by the morning of the third day he would present his paw almost before being asked. Actually, he began walking up to me while watching TV, sitting down and presenting his paw to shake, in hopes of a treat. If was comical, but since he was not asked, I thought it best not to reward the behavior in any way. He tried it a few more times, but has not given up and knows only when asked does that trick work.

Simple, easy goals with a couple repetitions multiple times a day is still the most successful training method I have yet found, and requires less time on your part. Kinda what my boss calls a "win win."

TRAINING TIP: Spend a little time investigating and experimenting to find the treat that really gets your dogs attention. Once you have that, the battle is nearly won! Remember to go find more articles and information at www.capawblehands.org!