Why is the “give me your paw” command needed?
Dog trainers consider the commands “place”, “come to me”, “no” to be mandatory and recommend starting dog training with them. But the command “give me your paw” is considered optional, since it does not have sufficient functionality. However, you should not consider it as a whim of the owner or some kind of game. “Give me a paw” you will need:
- when wiping paws after a walk;
- nail trimming;
- possible injuries;
- examination by a veterinarian.
Dog gives paw to man
Also, any cooperation with a person disciplines the dog.
The command will be needed when trimming nails
At what age to start training
How to teach your dog commands at home
The puppy begins to practice the first mandatory commands at the age of three months. This is the right time to start raising and training. By 4-5 months, the pet should already get used to the activities and understand the style of communication with the owner. Only after the baby has acquired the primary skills can he move on to optional commands, such as “give me a paw.”
Important! The lesson should be systematic, as puppies are forgetful.
The completed command must be repeated 3 to 6 times a day.
Training with treats
Teaching a dog to follow a command can be done with the help of the animal’s favorite treat. It is desirable that this be a healthy treat. You can use a small piece of dried meat (it should not be salted or peppered), not a saltine cracker without flavoring.
Next, the owner holds the chosen type of treat tightly in the palm of his hand, calls the animal to him and gives the command “Sit.” After the pet has completed the first two commands, the clasped palm with the treat is brought closer to the “student’s” nose, which will allow the dog to catch the aroma of the treat in the palm.
As soon as the pet shows interest and tries to lick your hand, you need to move the clasped palm a short distance. In order to knock out the treat, the dog will most likely try to touch the clenched palm with its paw. At this moment, the owner’s task is to hold the raised paw, clearly saying the command “Give me your paw!” You need to repeat this trick several times a day.
Every time the dog successfully repeats a command, you need to praise the pet.
It is necessary to repeat the training until the dogs begin to follow the command even without reward in the form of food.
General rules for self-training a dog
How to teach a dog the Fas command at home
Regardless of the breed and character of the dog, training should be carried out by one person. This way, the pet will understand the style of communication with a person, his intonation, which will speed up the learning process. If each family member tries to contribute, this will simply confuse the dog.
Note! 2 hours before the start of classes, the pet should be fed and walked, then it will not be distracted and will be able to concentrate on the requirements of the person.
For effective training, you need to follow general but effective rules:
- the style of communication with the pupil should be friendly, without corporal punishment and raising the voice;
- the lesson needs to be planned so that skill training alternates with play, which will avoid overworking the dog;
- every correct response to a person’s demand should be rewarded with words, a treat or stroking;
- If a treat was chosen as a reward, then its quantity should be reduced gradually so as not to cause a negative reaction in the pupil.
For your information! The dog does not understand human speech, but it subtly senses the owner’s mood, so you always need to control emotions so that the baby does not take changes in mood personally.
Only the owner should train the dog
Where to start learning
Before you start training, you need to think through its plan step by step: technique, methodology, regularity, method of encouragement. A dog will be able to understand what they want from it only if the person’s actions are clear and systematic.
How to teach your dog the “sit” command at home
The next stage is to study the character and level of training of a representative of a particular breed. There are dog breeds that are easy to train and “difficult” learners. For example, Labradors and German Shepherds are favorites of dog handlers. These smart animals with a calm disposition easily learn any commands. Training representatives of large and medium-sized breeds is quite common. Owners of small decorative dogs may have questions. However, both large and small breeds go through the training stage to one degree or another. It is quite possible to train a Labrador retriever, a small Spitz, a smart Chihuahua or a Yorkshire terrier to give a paw.
You should study the character of the breed representatives in order to choose the right training method. To teach a German Shepherd or Labrador to give paws, the training must be serious in tone so that the dog feels the importance of what is happening.
For your information! A Yorkie, Spitz or Chihuahua will better learn material presented in the form of a game.
Methods of teaching the command “give me your paw”
How to train a dog to give paw? Depending on the breed and character of a particular pet, three main techniques are used when training:
- with a treat as a reward;
- no treats;
- based on the example of other dogs.
Training with treats
The dog is shown a treat, and then it is clamped in a fist, held at chest level. The baby will try to get what is hidden by any means. The hand is not unclenched until the pet begins to tap the person’s hand with its paw. As soon as this happens, open your palm and allow the dog to place its paw on it. At this moment, the command “give me your paw” should sound. To consolidate, the complex is repeated several times.
Important! You should not allow your pet to scratch or pound his fist with his paw for a long time, trying to get a treat. In this case, he will be nervous, as a result of which he will develop a negative reaction to the command.
Command training using treats
How to teach a dog to give paw without using treats
This method is more often used in training adult dogs of large or medium breeds. The learning algorithm is simple, but it takes more time, since four-legged animals are more willing to follow a command if they know that a treat has been prepared for them as a reward. However, with this method, the pet interacts with the person more consciously, and not for the sake of reward.
Example of other dogs
The pet does not always immediately understand what the owner wants from him, especially if treats are not used during the training process. Dog training “give me a paw” can involve other four-legged animals. To do this, the owner of a dog, preferably of the same breed or at least the same size, demonstrates the process of interaction with his pet in front of the trainee.
Note! The four-legged “teacher” must be pleasant to the person being trained, otherwise the baby will refuse to repeat what he saw.
Why is comprehensive training and the “Give Paw” command needed?
Comprehensive training is needed to ensure that the dog feels discipline. Additionally, an emotional connection is established with the owner. The command “Give me a paw” is considered the main one for a pet. Therefore, any purebred service or domestic dog should be able to give a paw at the first request.
Aggressive behavior due to lack of training
Thanks to the presence of such elementary commands in complex training, the animal develops intelligence. In addition, the dog will never show inexplicable aggression towards household members and strangers.
Is it possible to teach a dog to give a paw at home?
Naturally, many owners try to cope with their pets on their own. You can teach a dog to give a paw at home if it is done at an appropriate age. Problems may arise during the learning process. But “home dog training school” can also become effective if you follow a few recommendations.
Addition - “give me another paw”
After the dog has mastered the “give paw” command, it is time to teach the more complex “give the other paw”. But you should start practicing it only if you have successfully mastered the first command. How to understand this:
- the puppy reacts to the voice immediately, without waiting for repetition or treats;
- carries out commands equally clearly in any place and with different stimuli;
- the pet consciously raises its paw and holds it for a while without convulsive movements up and down.
How to understand that a puppy has successfully learned a command
How to teach a dog the command “give me the other paw”? The training technique is not much different. When learning additional commands, it is recommended to use the method without using treats. After performing “give me a paw,” they say “give me another paw” and touch the desired limb. As soon as the pet performs the necessary actions, it should be praised.
For your information! The dog can be taught to give not only its front paws, but all four in turn. This is very convenient for washing paws after going outside. But the puppy should give the other paw only when the previous one is lowered to the ground.
Give me a paw friend! - Yorkie training
In this article I want to share with you my experience of training a Yorkie puppy, I will tell you how to teach a Yorkshire terrier the simplest basic commands. So:
"To me!"
It is necessary to begin training only when the puppy has become comfortable in the house, is accustomed to his nickname and responds to it.
The dog remembers the command quite simply, but it takes a long time to praise for its execution. Your Yorkie must develop a strong connection between command and praise. Call the dog by name in a gentle voice and at the same time say the command “Come to me!” As soon as your Yorkie runs up to you, immediately give him a treat. Perform this action at home and on the street as often as possible.
Advice: the Yorkie should associate the command only with praise!
For example: on the street, a dog ran away from you, and you see that it is picking up something from the ground. Command “Come to me!” and, even if the Yorkie does not immediately run up to you, under no circumstances scold the dog, but give him a treat. The dog must understand that it is more profitable to approach the owner on command!
"Sit!"
Another simple command that can be learned very quickly! Call the dog (you should already have a treat in your hand). Show the treat to the dog and begin to move your hand with the treat over the Yorkie's head, moving your hand back so that the dog has to throw back his head, whether the Yorkie wants it or not, he will sit! Of course, at the same time you say the command “Sit!” You can help with your other hand - press lightly on the dog's croup. As soon as your Yorkie sits, praise him and give him a treat! Repeat several times, but make sure that the dog is not tired, take a break!
"Lie!"
Start training when your Yorkie has learned the previous command! From a sitting position (you already have a treat in your hand), show the dog the treat and point your hand down towards the floor and towards you. Reaching for a treat, the Yorkie will lie down. With your free hand you can help him, either press on the withers, or move his front paws forward. This command will take a little longer than the “Sit!” command.
“Give me your paw!”
The command does not carry any serious meaning, but is carried out by the dogs with undisguised pleasure. After a short period of time, you will notice that when you see a treat, your Yorkie will pull your front paws in turn)) So: in a sitting position, take the dog by the front paw, lift it off the floor so that the paw is in your hand, repeating “ Give me a paw,” you give a treat. Do the same with the other paw, saying “Give me another!” Literally from the third or fourth time, the York will remember the command!
I wish you good luck in training your Yorkie, and remember that it is very undesirable to punish a puppy, the training process should be based on praise!
Possible mistakes
Trying to be consistent and persistent in training, a person often makes mistakes that can completely discourage a pet from learning something. The most serious include:
- when demonstrating the exercise, the owner raises the pet’s paw too much, thereby frightening it;
- commands by raising his voice or in a nervous tone, which also irritates the student;
- classes begin at the beginning of the walk, when the pet is not in the mood for training, or the training is delayed, thereby tiring the animal:
- trying to experiment, the owner changes voice commands too often or alternates commands with voice and gestures, which is why the dog gets confused and ceases to understand what is expected of him.
Important! If a pet refuses to obey a command not given by its owner, this does not mean that it has forgotten it. It is quite possible that the “stranger” modified the text or that this person is simply unpleasant to the dog.
Before you start teaching your dog to perform a new action, you should decide whether it is necessary for a particular pet. Ignorance of the “give paw” command does not in any way affect the dog’s life. But it should be noted that this skill sets the dog apart from the rest.
How to teach
Before you start teaching the “Give me a paw!” command, it is important to understand several basic aspects. So, the minimum age for a puppy is 2 months. At an earlier age, training will not give positive results.
You can start training at a later period, but such training will take longer and not be as successful. Kids perceive commands and requests faster.
It is important to ensure that at the beginning of training, the baby is in the right mood. A pet that is aggressive or too playful is not the best student. The puppy should not be hungry. But starting training to follow commands after a hearty lunch is not the best option. It is recommended to start the lesson 1.5 hours after walking or eating.
