How to teach a dog the Give command? Tips from dog handlers. How to teach a dog to give a paw - teaching a puppy the command “give paw” How to teach a dog to give a command

Teaching your dog the “give” command is not difficult. On the command “give” the dog will give the specified object or thing. If you want your dog to quickly learn this command, then start teaching it from the age of three months. You will find it easier to train a puppy than a large dog.

The “give” command is used not only in the game, when your pet has taken the toy and does not give it back, but it will also be very helpful for those owners whose dog picks it up from the floor or from the ground. The “give” command can be temporarily replaced with the “fu” command (how to teach a dog the fu command) and taught to a puppy from the age of 1.5 months. Only the "give" command will be used in a milder form. If your puppy does not listen, check out the article: how to punish a puppy.

First way. If your puppy takes the toy, you can cheat and give him a piece of treat, he is unlikely to refuse it if he is a little hungry. Once you have provided the treat and the puppy is about to get hooked on it and give up the toy, give the command “give” and then praise him for following the command.

Also, with this command you can wean your puppy from picking up from the floor or ground. In exactly the same way, you can exchange what your dog picked up from the ground for a treat. Give the command “give” and add a treat. Don't forget to praise and pet the animal profusely.

Second way. Not as easy as the first one, but during the game, when the puppy has taken the toy in his mouth, you give the command “give” and open his mouth and take the toy. Then praise him.

How to teach the “give” command to an adult dog.

An adult dog may not succumb so easily to the first two methods, so you need to resort to a more cunning method.

Third way. During play, when the dog has taken a toy in its mouth, pinch it on the area above the left or right foot, which is shown in the picture and give the command “give”.

Fourth way. To broaden your horizons, you can use this method, although it is rarely used. When the dog takes the toy into its mouth, you lightly slap the bottom of its chin with your palm and say the command “give.” Once the dog gives the toy, praise him again.

As soon as we have a four-legged friend, we immediately want to teach him basic commands that will help make the animal more docile. The complex of basic commands includes teaching the dog to give its paw when ordered by its owner.

This command is extremely useful and helps not only to show the pet’s intelligence and obedience, but also, for example, to facilitate the process of washing paws after a walk or trimming toenails.

Firstly, it makes sense to teach a dog this command only after it is 4-5 months old. However, despite this, with a strong desire, a puppy can learn to give a paw at 2-3 months.

Before class, make sure that the dog is in a good mood and ready to obey your instructions. Of course, the animal should be fed 2-3 hours before training and taken for a walk half an hour before training.

Only the owner should handle the dog. Do not allow other family members to train, as the dog can have only one leader, whom he will listen to unquestioningly in the future.

Also, before you start teaching your dog to give a paw, make sure that he has mastered the “sit” command well enough. Then order your pet to sit on the floor right in front of you and start training.

It is quite important to choose the right time for classes. The puppy should not be sleepy or tired, hungry or irritated. The same goes for the owner. You should be in good location spirit, and also be patient, since it is far from a fact that the animal will immediately begin to obey you.

Be sure to take breaks between classes so as not to tire your dog. As soon as the puppy offers his paw, he should be rewarded with affectionate stroking and his favorite treat.

The first exercise involves taking a small amount of your dog’s favorite treat and holding it in your palm. Using a gentle, slow motion, point this palm toward the puppy. He should smell the treat and try to get it. But since he won’t be able to reach it with his muzzle, he will certainly try to hook your hand with his paw. At this moment, you need to say the phrase “give me your paw!”, grab the puppy’s paw and hold it in this position for a few seconds. Do not force or squeeze too tightly as this may hurt your dog. Also, do not raise the dog's paw too high - this can confuse the animal and even frighten it. After a few seconds of holding the paw, release it and give the reward to the puppy. It is recommended to perform this exercise several times in a row, at least three times a day.

The second exercise is performed like this: you need to order the dog to sit down and lower yourself next to it. Say clearly “give me your paw!” and with a light, unobtrusive movement, touch the puppy’s paw and point it towards you. Remember that you should not raise your paw too high, as this may cause him pain.

After your dog learns to give a paw at the owner’s voice command, you can begin practicing the “other paw” command. You need to start with the order to give one paw. After this, ask the dog to give the other paw in a commanding tone. If she doesn't respond, touch her other paw and repeat the order.

If desired, the dog can be taught commands such as “ hind leg", "left paw", "right paw"... everything is possible! The main thing is to be patient and be as friendly as possible towards your pet.

In the second method, the dog is seated in front of you and the command is given: “Give me your paw.” After this, the paw is taken into your hand and raised to shoulder level. After this, the dog must be praised and given a treat.

3rd method

In the third method, the dog is also seated in front of you so that it can easily reach the owner. They give her the command “Give me a paw” and lightly lift the dog’s paw with the fingers of the left hand and direct it to the right hand. This is done as if the dog itself placed its paw in the palm of the person.

It is better to do this exercise when the first previous methods have already been done and the puppy already has a rough idea of ​​what is required of him. After the dog's paw is in the owner's right hand, the puppy must be praised.

Important rules in teaching the command “Give me your paw!”

• All three exercises must be repeated several times a day, but not for long, but with mandatory breaks.
• It is best to do this during games so that he always has a positive reaction to the team. The dog should develop the habit that as soon as he hears the command, he extends his paw. When this command is executed brilliantly, the puppy’s task can be made more difficult.
• After he has given his paw on command, it must be lowered and commanded: “The other paw.” And start doing the same exercises with the other paw.
• Over time, you can simply point or lightly touch the desired paw with your hand.
• The puppy should always be praised and rewarded for correct execution.
• As a result, the dog must give the second paw without a command, and after releasing its first one.
• Over time, treats are given to the dog less and less often, so that the command is carried out well for one praise.

The dog's command to give a paw is one of the most common, along with Aport and Fas. Most people, when purchasing a pet, are interested in how to teach it to give a paw and follow other commands. So, today we will tell you how to teach pet give paw

Why does a dog need the command “Give me your paw”?

Many people mistakenly believe that the owner taught the dog to give his paw only for demonstrative reasons, so that, when the opportunity arises, he could demonstrate to guests and friends the degree of the animal’s learning ability and say: “here, look what I taught him.” But this is not the case, since the command has other practical functions:

• inspection of limbs and fur in hard-to-reach places;
• dressing the pet when necessary;
• wiping dirty limbs;
• trimming an animal's claws.

When to start training?

Along with the question of how to teach a dog to give paw, most people are interested in when such training should begin.

So, you need to train your dog to give a paw from about four or five months. However, in in some cases capable puppies can perform this command already by two. It is necessary to train an animal to give a limb only after it has learned the commands “Sit” and “Come to me” and is able to distinguish the owner’s voice.

A prerequisite for training is calm and good mood at the dog. If your pet is excited or irritated by something, it is better to postpone training until a more appropriate moment.

Training methods and options

When your dog already recognizes the command “Sit”, call him to you and say loudly and clearly “Give me your paw”, then pick her up right limb to the height of the horizontal line on the side of the shoulder and quickly lower it. Then, give your dog something tasty as a reward.

Another method is to hold a piece of something tasty in your palm and do not let the animal squeeze it with its nose. After unsuccessful attempt take a treat, it will try to do this with the help of its limb, at this moment you unclench your palm, say “Give me your paw” and feed the animal the long-awaited food. And repeat this several times.

Over time, when the skill of giving a paw on command is developed, You won't have to keep the treat in your hand, and then give it after completing all the commands or the required action as a reward.

If the dog does nothing at the command “Give me your paw” after you yourself have tried to lift it, again take its limb and point it towards your hand so that the animal places the limb in your hand. Given the exercise should be performed several times so that the dog remembers the algorithm of actions. Over time, the pet will understand it on its own without your help.

When the command to give the paw has been perfected, the exercise can be improved with the command “Give the other paw.” At first, you will need to try a little harder, either by using treats to encourage the action or by lifting the dog's other limb yourself. However, as a rule, retraining is much faster initial and the dog learns this command quite quickly.

Rewarding with treats is very important after correct execution of the command at first, but then it should be reduced and gradually reduced to zero when the habit of presenting a limb on command becomes maximally ingrained in the animal.

When training and independently lifting dog limbs, be extremely careful and do not injure the animal, do not allow it to have pain as a result of exercise, otherwise later you will not be able to exercise normally with it.

So, the exercises should be performed taking into account the following recommendations:

• When you want to teach a dog to give in turn with both paws, then differentiate the commands. For example, after the phrase “Give me a paw,” there should be “Give me a second paw.” Otherwise, the dog will learn to give only one limb;
• try to perform the exercise with the animal sitting, standing and lying down;
• training needs to be diversified so that the dog can give a paw not only when you are directly in front of its eyes, but also when you are lying next to it;
• try teaching your dog to carry out a command without support, so that the paw hangs in the air, or use not only your hands, but also other parts of your body instead of support.

Training rules

Before you start teaching your pet this command, read the rules for training your animal.

Owners of “serious animals” are often condescending towards the desire of novice dog breeders to teach their pet the “give paw” command, considering it meaningless and useless. Our article will dispel this misconception and tell you in detail how to teach a dog the “give paw” command and explain why it is so important.

Whose paw is better: who suits the team

“Give me your paw” is a phenomenal command: it is not included in any training course standards, but in terms of popularity it is on the list of leaders (after “sit” and “come”). The secret is very simple, “give me a paw” is a simple and universal element of trick training, equally suitable for both the rugged mastiff and the tiny Chihuahua.

Offer of paw and heart: why is the command to give paw needed?

• A dog of any size needs to feel “good and needed”. Owners of decorative babies and companion animals sometimes do not attach importance to this component of dog happiness. The skill of giving a paw is as important for a small dog as it is for sled dogs to pull a sleigh or for hunting breeds- bring game. In human translation it sounds something like this: “I can do something. This means I have meaning in life.”

• The learning process strengthens emotional connection between animals and humans, increases the master’s authority and is the key to discipline. Giving a paw and leaving it in the owner’s hand is also one of the signs of the pet’s trust.

• Some dog breeders use the command to inspect the pads for damage, trim the nails or perform hygiene procedures. We recommend that you come up with your own speech markers for each action (for example, “let me look, cut my hair, wash it”). “Give me your paw” is a separate requirement and its auxiliary use is possible only in the first stages. The more words the dog learns, the better.

• It is common for four-legged pets “raise your paw” at a person, demanding attention or delicacies. Animal psychologists suggest that in this way dominant individuals are trying to increase their hierarchical status, and recommend taking control of the process - developing the habit in the dog of performing actions only on command.

• A simple trick can become the first step towards more complex elements. Dogs love to learn and the success of their tailed charge depends only on the owner.

General rules for self-training a dog

By properly raising and training a dog, the owner becomes for it the most important creature in the world, a source of emotions and new knowledge. Such trust is priceless. The better you cope with the role of leader, the more successful it will be. further training. How to teach a dog to give paw? You will need desire, time, patience and our advice from professional dog handler.

Calm, just calm

• The main tool of influence is voice. The command is given in an even, calm tone, each with its own intonation. The dog does not yet understand your words literally, but reacts to the sound.

• Never yell at your dog. You can’t take your irritation out on her if something doesn’t work out at all. The dog will become isolated and will only work worse. It is the tone that affects, not the volume. Severity and anger are two different things.

• You can't hit a dog for failure to follow commands! Your four-legged friend should respect you, not fear you. Doesn't obey? You are making a mistake somewhere. Basic credo proper training- persistence without violence.

• You can issue the same command no more than two times. The demand has been made - achieve its fulfillment. You are much more cunning and smarter than your pet. Careful observation of the animal will help you choose the appropriate tactics.

• Undesirable behavior is stopped using safe words(no, bad), said calmly, but sternly.

A kind word pleases the dog too

• Praise from the bottom of your heart for correct behavior even in small things. Come up with a few “reward markers” (well done, good, bravo).
• You should not pat the animal on the head or ruffle the dog. Some four-legged students perceive rough petting as violence.
• The lesson should end on a positive note. For example, by following a favorite, well-practiced command and sincere encouragement from the owner.
• Always have a treat on hand. Don’t be afraid that the dog will start to cheat and work only for treats. The need for food rewards will disappear over time. The treat is given immediately after the order is completed, along with praise. It is advisable to pronounce the command so that the dog understands why he is being praised (“okay, give me your paw, okay”).

Not a moment of peace

• Before starting work, let the animal run around a little. Alternate training and “unloading”. We worked, played or walked. The dog should not get tired from training. If you notice that your pet has become distracted and has difficulty concentrating, it’s time to end it.

• Training should be approached in stages(mastered one technique, move on to the next). A new element is introduced after familiar ones have been practiced, but not at the very end of the lesson.

• To increase motivation, older dogs are trained 6-8 hours after feeding. But the main criterion is that the pet must be actively interested in receiving the treat.

• Show kindness and energy. If you start studying without desire or in bad mood, the dog will experience the same.

• By training your dog from time to time, you run the risk that it will only occasionally obey you: whenever she wants. Only multiple repetitions form sustainable skills. Communicate with your pet as much as possible. You will not regret it and as a result you will purchase four-legged friend who understands everything perfectly.

At what age to start training

Dogs are trainable any age category , but for positive result It is important to take into account the characteristics of each group.

• Training puppies from 1.5 to 3 months carried out exclusively in game form with a minimum number of repetitions (3-5 times). This is not a waste of time, as many people think, but a useful and exciting activity for both. By three months, the baby is quite capable of mastering such useful skills as “sit”, “come to me”, “give me a paw”, and get used to a collar and leash.
• From 4 months onwards The real dog school begins. Here everything is like with people: there is primary classes, middle management and senior groups. The older the puppy becomes, the more serious the requirements and the stricter the trainer.
• There are situations when an adult dog comes into the house that has never been handled. Of course, it’s sad if the most productive period of upbringing is missed, but this is not a reason to give up. Work with adult dog possible and necessary. It just takes more time, patience, and repetition to achieve results.

How to teach a dog to give paw: three main ways

Learning will go faster if your pet first learns the “sit” command. This will make it easier for you to keep his attention. Sit the dog in front of you (if we are talking about a puppy or small dog, squat down to be on the same level as your pet). The student must focus on your actions. To do this, you can snap your fingers and make an unusual sound.

When the goal is achieved, start the lesson. To teach your dog a command, we recommend using one of the presented methods of your choice.

Pointing method

The essence of the method is to evoke the desired behavior in the animal using treats or gestures.

• show the dog a treat;
• make sure the student is interested in receiving encouragement;
• hold the piece in the fist of your left hand and bring it to the dog’s nose;
• do not unclench your hand, stopping the gourmand’s attempts to reach the food with his nose;
• voice the demand “give me your paw”;
• at the moment when the dog picks it up to get the treasured piece, substitute right hand, as if the dog itself put its paw in it, and unclench your fist with food;
• At the same time, enthusiastically praise your pet: “ok, give me your paw, good.” Show as many positive emotions as possible. And let others think you are crazy. Your aim - make the learning process enjoyable for the dog.

Passive inflection method

Enough effective method, if the animal does not experience negative emotions from the impact. The trainer “sculpts” the desired pose of the dog with hand movements.

• after showing the dog a treat (interesting in the result), give a command;
• lift the dog’s paw with your hand, fix the pose;
• give a treat, praise.

The paw should not be lifted too high (up to the level of the animal’s shoulder is quite enough) or squeezed too hard. Any discomfort can cause a four-legged student to have a negative attitude towards the team.

Behavior selection method

How to teach a dog to give paw , without resorting to training? Pay attention to this method. It consists of encouraging behavior that is useful to the trainer in various everyday situations.

• For example, a dog wants to play and touches you with its paw. Before he repeats this gesture himself, give the command;
• put your hand on your paw and give it a treat and praise.

How to teach a dog to give the other paw

It is enough to show a little patience, and soon your pet will delight you with its successes. But don't rush to relax. Only when the dog learns to give both paws in turn is the command considered mastered. So let's move on.

• practice a trick you’ve already learned, praise your pet;
• show the treat and say “give me another”;
• the dog, out of habit, will try to hand you the same limb;
• show that now you need something different (for example, “no, give me something else”);
• tell the dog right action(touch the desired paw with your finger or use the sculpting method - lift it yourself);
• At first, the dog may get confused: give the same limb several times or perform a connection without waiting for the command “give another.” Gently correct the student using safe words (no, don’t) and praise only for correct actions.

The dog has learned to give its paw: what next?

There are as many methods of training and types of tricks as a trainer can come up with. If you are interested in further developing the skills of a four-legged artist, we advise you to learn other interesting elements, the basis for which is the simple ability to give a paw.

• "high five"— raising its paw high, the dog touches the owner’s open palm with it;
• "give me both"— the dog gives both paws at the same time;
• "Okay"— a funny element that imitates a child’s game;
• "hold"- after raising the paw, the animal holds it in weight;
• "Give me the back"- not the most convenient trick for a dog, performed from a standing position;
• "Spanish step"— the tailed comrade strides, raising his front paws high. It's hard to believe that performing this difficult element of freestyle (dancing with dogs) is impossible without the ability to give a paw. But, who knows, maybe your pet will become a star not only in a narrow family circle, but also at prestigious sporting competitions?