Trying to teach hand shake

[Scrappysmom]

I have had several dogs in the past(different breeds) When I have trained a dog to shake hands(paws) I say "pleased to meet you" and gently lift the paw, shake hands and praise. When they approximate the desired behavior I praise. (verbally, I have never used food). I use positive reinforcement only. Scrappy is doing very well with sit, stay, come, down, and quiet. When I try to teach him to shake hands, and lift his paw he BOXES ME!!!! How do I train a well behaved boxer to shake hands without boxing?

 

[gmacleod]

If he isn't getting the idea via you lifting his paw for him - how about trying a slightly different method? If you change your approach, chances are, he'll change his response.

An approach you might try is, instead of lifting his paw, just give your command and then tap him lightly (but annoyingly LOL) on the shoulder. He's sitting facing you for this, btw. The usual response from a dog to that sort of irritating tapping on the shoulder/top of leg, is to lift that leg. You then take his lifted paw lightly in your hand and immediately praise and treat. Then as soon as he's scoffed his treat, let go (don't hold his paw long enough that he thinks of boxing).

It's not enormously different from what you've been doing, but it is different in a few important ways. First, it's not an approach that he's got a pre-determined response to (the boxing). Second, the paw is lifted under his own steam - not yours, so there's nothing for him to react to (less likely to box). And third, you aren't handling his paw for long - and are praising/treating him during the time you're holding the paw. Once again, he's less likely to respond with a box, because he's too busy getting his treat. All of that just gives him time to learn the command and what is going to happen (you're going to hold the paw he lifted, give him a yummy treat, then let go) before he thinks of a response. And having discovered that, is less likely to make any response anyway. It's worth a try As ever with dogs, if what you're doing isn't working, the dog just doesn't "get it" - try something else.

 

[BetsyB]

How about making him sit, and then sitting down in front of him. Hold your hand palm up with your fist closed right next to his paw. He will probably be curious as to what you have in your hand, and will then raise his paw to yours. This is how I train "shake hands". It works especially well if you have a bit of kibble or a treat in your hand and they will bat your hand a bit to get at the food. Then you say the command and treat.
I use the same method to train "high five", only I put my hand up above their ears, and gradually raise it until they get the front feet off the ground and give five!

 

[northernboxr]

How about making him sit, and then sitting down in front of him. Hold your hand palm up with your fist closed right next to his paw. He will probably be curious as to what you have in your hand, and will then raise his paw to yours.

This worked for us in about 2 minutes! I think it is an excellent suggestion.

With my dog, once he got the hang of pawing at my closed hand for the treat I switched to gmacleod's method of tapping to get him to do it without the treat. The only difference was that I tapped behind his foot to prompt him to lift it, but it is pretty much the same idea.

Good luck

 

[Scrappysmom]

I have never used edible treats to train before, just verbal praise and warm pets. I tried the tapping on the shoulder and simply holding my hand out as if there were a treat in it. Scrappy knew I had edible treats and was so excited he wouldn't pay attention to anything! He would not lift his paw for anything! Should I try edible treats for the commands he already knows well, like sit, so he won't be so excited next time or try to train a hand shake with praise?

 

[Caney Creek]

Here's what worked for Caney:
I worked with her for a little while, but still wasn't 100% confident that she got the "shake." Then I brought Creek (our 6-yr-old boxer) in the room, asked them to "sit," then "shake." Of course, Creek did it immediately, and got a treat. Did this about 5 times in a row (while Caney is sitting there like "hey, how come she gets one and I don't??") and maybe the 6th time around Caney put her paw in my hand, right on top of Creek's!
So maybe you should let your older dog show him how it's done! :D
As for training without treats, I can't help ya there.... I've tried that a few different times, just using excessive praise instead of food, but food always works better. :rolleyes: Oh well!

 

[billbgh]

I actually have done what gmacleod suggested and it worked. I too had the 'boxing' problem, that is how we learned High 5. Sometimes treats are a must, especially with a stubborn learner(or maybe a smart learner-they train us).

Erin
Apollo & Rocky's mom

 

[Newtonian]

Another fun trick my daughter and her friends just can't get enough of with our boxer is "Where's the Treat". It's similar to holding out a closed fist with a treat for the shake....I just hold out BOTH hands with closed fists and only one has a treat. He's become quite adept at hitting the correct fist with a paw which promptly opens to reveal his treat!

 

[Scrappysmom]

Some success!!! Not quite there yet, but I used an edible treat and put it in my closed fist. Scrappy was so excited he would not sit up at first but did bat my hand with the treat, so I praised him verbally and gave hin the treat. The next few times after the command "up" he sat up and batted my hand with the treat in it(more treats) The last 2 times (everytime I used the simple command-Shake), he raised his paw and I held it briefly before treating him. I thought he needed a break so I'll resume training tomorrow or later tonight. Good Boy!!! Anymore advice is greatly apprechiated.

 

[Scrappysmom]

I think I have created a monster Now I say "pleased to meet you", even without edible treats and Scrappy lifts his paw for a shake, then BOXES me!!!! I guess it is a fun game for him. Silly Dog any advice?