Easy Tricks to Teach Your Dog – Paw & High Five

Teaching your dog tricks isn’t just fun — it’s also a wonderful way to strengthen your bond and build trust. Even simple tricks create a sense of teamwork between you and your dog.

Here are two easy tricks that most dogs can learn quickly:

Before You Start

🐶 Use small, tasty reward treats.
🐶 Train in a quiet place free from distractions.
🐶 Keep sessions short — 10 to 15 minutes is ideal.
🐶 Praise warmly and reward when they get it right, but avoid over-excitement (which can make them lose focus).

Trick 1: Give Paw

• 🐾 Ask your dog to sit.

• 🐾 Say the word “Paw” while gently lifting one of their paws into your hand. Reward with a treat.

• 🐾 Repeat several times.

• 🐾 After a few tries, pause briefly before taking their paw — say “Paw,” count to one, then take it.

• 🐾 Soon your dog will begin offering their paw when you say the word.

Most dogs master this within just two or three sessions.

Trick 2: High Five

This is a fun progression of the paw trick.

• 🐾 Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than for the paw trick.

• 🐾 Your dog will think you want the paw trick and lift their paw toward your hand.

• 🐾 As they reach up, say “High Five!” and reward them with the treat.

Once your dog has mastered paw, high five usually comes very quickly. With a few sessions, they’ll be giving you a high five on both a command and a hand signal.

Final Thoughts

Trick training is a great way to make learning fun for both you and your dog. Keep it positive, keep it playful, and celebrate each little success along the way.

🐾 Would you like more step-by-step help with your dog? You’ll find proven solutions in my Dog Training DVDs and Online Courses — trusted by over 26,000 dog owners worldwide. And remember to scroll back up to grab your FREE eBook, packed with kind, effective methods to stop pulling, aggression, and unwanted behaviour.