If you’re a proud owner of a Border Collie puppy, you already know that they’re one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds out there. With their high energy and eagerness to please, they make perfect candidates for learning new tricks. Teaching your Border Collie puppy to shake hands is a great way to bond with them, as well as impress your friends and family. In this post, we will share five easy steps to help you teach your Border Collie puppy to shake hands. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you’ll have your pup shaking hands in no time!

Border Collie puppies are highly intelligent and trainable dogs. Teaching your new puppy to shake hands is a fun and simple trick that can help build a strong bond between you and your furry friend. In this blog post, we will discuss five easy steps to teach your Border Collie puppy to shake hands.

Step 1: Start with Basic Commands

Before you begin teaching your Border Collie puppy to shake hands, it is important to establish basic commands such as “sit” and “stay”. These commands will help your puppy understand what is expected of them and make the training process easier.

To teach your puppy to sit, hold a treat above their head and slowly move it towards their tail. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower, and they will sit. Reward them with the treat and praise them with a “good boy/girl” or “good sit”. Repeat this process until your puppy is consistently sitting on command.

To teach your puppy to stay, start with them in a sitting position. Hold your hand out in front of you and say “stay”. Take a step back and reward your puppy with a treat if they stay in the sitting position. Gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy and the duration of the stay.

Step 2: Introduce the “Shake” Command

Once your puppy has mastered the basic commands, it’s time to introduce the “shake” command. Start by holding a treat in your hand and show it to your puppy. Say “shake” and gently tap their paw with your hand. When your puppy lifts their paw to reach for the treat, gently take their paw in your hand and shake it. Reward your puppy with the treat and praise them with a “good shake” or “good boy/girl”.

Repeat this process until your puppy understands that lifting their paw and shaking it will result in a treat and praise. Be patient as it may take a few attempts for your puppy to understand what is expected of them.

Step 3: Repeat and Reinforce

5 Easy Steps to Teach Your Border Collie Puppy to Shake Hands

Repetition is key when it comes to training your Border Collie puppy to shake hands. Practice the “shake” command several times a day, gradually increasing the duration of the shake and decreasing the amount of physical guidance you provide.

As your puppy becomes more comfortable with the “shake” command, start to reinforce the behavior by gradually reducing the frequency of treats and incorporating verbal praise instead. This will help your puppy understand that shaking hands is a desirable behavior even without the presence of a treat.

Step 4: Add a Verbal Cue

Once your puppy has mastered the “shake” command, it’s time to add a verbal cue. Choose a simple word or phrase such as “shake” or “paw” and use it consistently when asking your puppy to shake hands.

As you continue to practice the “shake” command with the verbal cue, your puppy will begin to associate the word with the behavior and respond accordingly.

Step 5: Practice in Different Settings

Finally, it’s important to practice the “shake” command in different settings to help your puppy generalize the behavior. Practice in different rooms of your home, outside, and in the presence of distractions such as other people or animals.

By practicing the “shake” command in different settings, your puppy will learn to respond to the command regardless of the environment they are in.

Teaching your Border Collie puppy to shake hands is a fun and rewarding experience that can help build a strong bond between you and your furry friend. By following these five easy steps, you can train your puppy to shake hands in no time.

Remember to be patient, consistent, and always reward good behavior with treats and praise. With a little patience and dedication, your Border Collie puppy will be shaking hands like a pro in no time!

Teaching your border collie puppy to shake hands is a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. Remember to be patient and consistent in your training, and always reward good behavior. With these five easy steps, you can have your border collie puppy shaking hands like a pro in no time. So, grab some treats, get started with the training, and enjoy watching your puppy learn and grow!