Training Tip: Teach Your Dog to Wave
This month’s Training Tip comes from Deborah Hoeflich of California, who adopted California’s Little Orphan Annie NA OAJ OF THDN CGCA as a 4-month-old puppy from a rescue organization. Annie’s high energy and smarts have made her a talented agility competitor, working toward her MACH. She is the third dog to join the family; Deborah has also competed in agility with another All American Dog, Teah.
During the COVID lockdown, they began trick training and by May 2021 were allowed to visit hospital workers as a therapy dog team. Debby and Annie kept training, and in April 2023 Annie earned the TKE title. Here, Debby shares the steps to teaching a dog to wave.
Shake/Give Paw
Once your dog knows “sit,” you can teach “shake/paw.” Ask the dog for a sit. Have a treat in your hand and let your pup see it. Hold the hand in front of the dog, dog’s chest high. Your pup should try to get it and after sniffing, will usually try his paws on it. Wait for that moment, click or mark it with a word like “yes” or “good,” and give the treat. Repeat this until your dog offers it often. Then give it a verbal name, “shake” or “paw,” for example.
High Five
Now that your dog has a sit and a shake, you can try a “high five.” With the dog in a sit, place your hand up in front, higher than you did for the shake, and the dog should try to put a paw on your hand. Click and treat as soon as this happens. As with shake or paw, repeat this until the dog offers it, then you can add the verbal cue.
Wave
This is similar to the High 5. But this time, while your pup is sitting, your hand is not near him. The dog should try doing things with a paw, and when the paw gets up in the High 5 area, click and treat. Repeat as with the previous tricks until you can add the name: Wave.
Have lots of fun with your pups! If these methods do not work, go back a few steps to make sure your dog understands. You can also try a more motivating treat. Always try different positive ways to show your pup how to have fun with tricks.