How to Train Your Dog to High-Five

If you're here, you either are frustrated with your pooch not wanting to high five you, or maybe your just here to see how it's done. Either way, I'll show you some tips and tricks to get your dog to give you their paw or high five you. It doesn't matter what age they are! I taught both my two month old puppy AND my ten-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. They both did fabulously with this trick. Your dog can too! All it takes is a little bit of patience, no dog can learn anything right from the get-go. Let's do this!

First, know what way your dog it motivated. Perhaps you have been/are training him with treats. Maybe you use clicker training. Another, less common method, is respect training, which is when your dog first learns that you are boss, then must obey you from then on. Personally, I trained my boys with treats. Anyway that you train, go with that. Changing up a routine can be hard for a dog.

Next step, get them interested in what you're doing. Both of my dogs find it very interesting when I sit on the floor. They might come and sniff me, lick me (my puppy might try to bite me), or they may even just take a glance at me. Next, get your motivation ready. Let them know that they are about to be rewarded if they do something correctly.

If your dog goes into a sit immediately, reward them. Paw/high five is done best sitting at first, so it won't combine learning balance as well as a new trick.

After getting your dog into a sit, simply say "paw", or "high five" and do the hand motion you would like to associate with the trick. They won't have any idea what you mean, but treat them only once or twice, still in a sit, when you say the word.

When you've done that, reach your hand down to one of their paws. Keep it to only one paw at first, you don't want to confuse them with doing both. Tap the back of their paw. This should bend their "knee". Say your word and treat them.

Remember, this is a slow process, so be patient. Next, do the previous step again a few times to get them accustomed to having their paw in your hand/touching your hand. Treat them every time.

Then, keep your finger under their "knee", but keep their knee bent in your hand. Say the command and treat them.

Do that step many times. Your dog should be understand that the bent knee in your hand means that they are going to get treated.

If you want them to high five, simply start putting your hands in a vertical position instead of horizontal after doing the prior step multiple times.

By now, your dog should be well on his way to understanding! I wish you all good luck with your dog's new trick!

Enjoy!

-Chrissy at Delightful Lifestyle