Tricks
Teach Your Dog "Paws Up"
beginner · A few days of short sessions
Paws Up teaches your dog to place their front paws on an object — like a low box, step, or ottoman — on cue. It builds body awareness, focus, and confidence. Most dogs pick it up within a few short sessions. Sessions should stay brief and upbeat, around 3 to 5 minutes at a time.
What you'll need
- Small soft treats (pea-sized)
- A stable, low platform (sturdy box, step stool, or yoga block)
- A quiet, low-distraction room
- A treat pouch or small bowl to hold rewards
Step by step
1. Set up your platform
Place a stable, low object on the floor. It should not slide or tip. A sturdy cardboard box or a non-slip step stool works well. Let your dog sniff it freely before you begin.
2. Reward any interest in the platform
Stand near the platform with treats ready. The moment your dog looks at it, sniffs it, or moves toward it, mark the moment with a cheerful 'yes!' and give a treat. You are building curiosity about the object.
3. Reward a paw touch
Wait for your dog to place even one paw on the platform. The instant a paw lands on it, say 'yes!' and treat. Toss the treat slightly away so your dog steps off and resets, then repeat.
4. Build to two paws
Once your dog is confidently touching the platform with one paw, stop rewarding single-paw touches. Wait for two front paws to land. Mark and treat the moment both paws are on the surface.
5. Add duration
After your dog places both paws, pause one second before you say 'yes!' and treat. Gradually stretch this to two seconds, then three. Keep increases small so your dog stays successful.
6. Add the cue word
Once your dog is reliably putting two paws up, say 'Paws Up' in a calm, clear voice just before they move toward the platform. Say it once. Then mark and reward when they do it.
7. Practice the cue
Ask for 'Paws Up' from a few steps away. Give your dog a moment to respond. If they do it, mark and reward generously. If not, go back to luring or shaping for a few more reps.
8. Add a release cue
Teach your dog when the trick is finished. After they hold the position, say 'all done' or 'off' in a friendly tone, then toss a treat away from the platform. This teaches a clean end to the behavior.
9. Practice in short sessions
Do 5 to 10 repetitions per session, then stop while your dog is still engaged. Two or three sessions per day is plenty. End every session on a successful rep so your dog finishes feeling good.
10. Generalize to new objects
Once your dog knows the cue well, try it with a different platform in a new spot. Dogs learn behaviors in context, so practicing in a few different places helps the skill become reliable.
Troubleshooting
My dog sniffs the platform but won't put a paw on it.
Try placing a treat on the surface of the platform so your dog has to step on it to get the reward. Once they do it a few times, fade the lure and wait for them to offer the behavior on their own.
My dog puts one paw up but immediately steps back off.
That is fine at first — mark and reward the one-paw touch. Build confidence with many repetitions before waiting for two paws. Rushing the criteria too fast is the most common reason dogs disengage.
My dog seems uninterested in the treats during training.
Try a higher-value treat like small pieces of cooked chicken or cheese. Also check that your dog is not too full. Training before a meal, when your dog is a little hungry, often increases motivation.
My dog knows the trick at home but ignores the cue elsewhere.
This is normal. Dogs do not automatically generalize skills to new places. Go back to basics in the new location — reward easy reps first, then build back up. A few sessions in each new spot usually does it.
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