🐾 Dog Training Guide
How to teach a dog paw is one of the most searched dog training questions in the UK — and for good reason. It’s one of the first tricks most dogs learn, and once they’ve got it, it opens the door to a whole world of commands. The good news? It’s much simpler than you might think.
There’s something genuinely lovely about a dog who offers their paw on cue. It’s one of those moments that makes you feel like you and your dog are really communicating — and honestly, you are. Teaching the paw command is less about performing a trick and more about building trust, attention, and a little shared language between you.
Whether you’ve got a eager-to-please Labrador or a slightly sceptical terrier who’d rather be sniffing the garden, this guide covers everything you need to know — including how to handle the inevitable stubborn moments.
How to Teach a Dog Paw: What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before your first training session, get a few things in order. Good preparation makes the whole process smoother — for both of you.
You’ll need: Small, soft training treats your dog genuinely loves · A quiet room with no distractions · 5–10 minutes of calm time · Your dog in a relaxed (not overexcited) state · Optional: a treat pouch for quick delivery
Timing is everything in dog training. Short sessions — 5 to 10 minutes maximum — are far more effective than long ones. Dogs, especially younger ones, lose focus quickly. Better to finish on a success and come back tomorrow than to push on until you’re both frustrated.
If you want to understand the science behind why this works so well, Blue Cross UK has a brilliant overview of positive reinforcement training that’s well worth a read before you begin.
How to Teach a Dog Paw: The Step-by-Step Method
This is the core method — gentle, positive, and built around letting your dog figure things out rather than forcing them. It works for the vast majority of dogs.
💡 Trainer’s tip: Keep your treat delivery quick and calm. A treat that arrives within 1–2 seconds of the correct behaviour is far more meaningful to your dog than one that comes 5 seconds later. Timing is the real skill here.
How to Teach a Dog the Paw Shake Trick
Once your dog reliably gives paw on cue, the paw shake is just one small step away — and it’s a crowd-pleaser. Instead of simply receiving their paw, gently take it and give it a soft shake, then reward. Add the word “shake” paired alongside (or instead of) “paw.”
Within a few sessions, your dog will understand that “shake” means place paw in hand and allow it to be held briefly. Most dogs find this completely natural — it’s just a slight extension of what they already know. The Kennel Club’s Good Citizen programme even includes trick training as part of its foundation course, recognising the huge role simple commands play in building a well-rounded dog.
How to Teach a Dog the “Other Paw” Command
This one takes a little more patience — but it’s a wonderful extension of the basic command. Here’s the thing: most dogs have a dominant paw, just like people have a dominant hand. When you ask for “paw,” they’ll almost always offer the same one. Teaching “other paw” means teaching them to consciously offer the other one.
The method is simple: once your dog knows “paw” reliably, extend your opposite hand and wait. Don’t say “paw” — instead, wait silently. Your dog may look confused at first. They may try to offer their usual paw. Gently move your hand slightly so they can’t reach with it. When they shift and offer the other paw — even by accident — reward immediately and say “other paw.”
It takes longer than the first command (expect a week or two of short sessions), but once they’ve got it, having both commands separately is incredibly satisfying. It’s also great mental stimulation — exactly the kind of enrichment covered in our 🐾 dog mental enrichment guide.
How to Teach a Stubborn Dog Paw — When Things Don’t Click Straight Away
Not every dog is a natural. Some breeds — many terriers, hounds, and independent-minded dogs — don’t see any particular reason to engage with training unless you make it really worth their while. If your dog seems uninterested, here’s what actually helps:
Upgrade your treats
Standard dry treats might not be motivating enough. Try tiny pieces of cooked chicken breast, cheese, or hot dog. High-value rewards change the equation dramatically for food-motivated dogs who’ve been underwhelmed by the usual biscuits.
Shorten your sessions
If a stubborn dog loses interest after two minutes, train for two minutes. End before they switch off — always finish on a success, even if it’s something easy. A confident dog who ends on a win comes back to the next session ready to work.
Check your timing and energy
Dogs are extraordinarily sensitive to our energy. If you’re tense, rushing, or slightly frustrated, your dog will feel it and disengage. Take a breath, slow down, and approach the session the way you’d approach a game — light and easy. The RSPCA’s guide on reward-based training has some excellent advice on how your own body language affects your dog’s willingness to learn.
💡 Remember: “Stubborn” usually just means “under-motivated” or “distracted.” It’s rarely stubbornness for its own sake. Adjust the reward, the environment, or the session length before you conclude your dog isn’t picking it up.
How to Teach a Dog Paw: Your Questions Answered
How do I teach a dog to give paw from scratch?
Start with your dog in a sit. Hold a treat in your closed fist at paw height and wait. When they paw at your hand, reward immediately and say “paw.” Repeat across short daily sessions until they offer the paw reliably on the verbal cue alone.
How long does it take to teach a dog to give paw?
Most dogs learn the basic paw command within 3–7 days of consistent short sessions. Some pick it up in a single afternoon. Stubborn or easily distracted dogs may take 1–2 weeks — patience and positive reinforcement always get there in the end.
How do I teach a dog the paw shake trick?
Once your dog gives paw reliably, gently hold their paw and give it a soft shake before rewarding. Add the word “shake.” Within a few sessions, they’ll learn to hold their paw in your hand when they hear “shake.”
How do I teach a stubborn dog to give paw?
Use higher-value treats (cooked chicken, cheese), keep sessions to 2–3 minutes, stay relaxed and upbeat, and never force the paw. End every session on a small success. Most “stubborn” dogs simply need better motivation and a calmer training environment.
How do I teach a dog the other paw command?
Once your dog knows “paw,” extend your opposite hand and wait silently. When they offer the other paw — even by accident — reward immediately and say “other paw.” It takes longer than the first command, but with daily short sessions most dogs get it within 1–2 weeks.
How to Teach a Dog Paw: A Final Word
Teaching your dog to give paw isn’t just a party trick — it’s a small act of trust. Every time your dog lifts their paw and places it in your hand, they’re choosing to engage with you. That’s the real reward, for both of you.
Go slowly, keep sessions short, celebrate the small wins, and don’t worry if it takes a little longer than you expected. Every dog learns at their own pace — and the dogs who take a bit more time are often the ones who, once they’ve got it, never forget it.
When you’re ready to build on this, explore more of our 🐾 dog training guides — from recall to loose-lead walking, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.
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