How To Teach Your Dog To High Five In Five Simple Steps

Teaching your dog new tricks isn’t just entertaining—it strengthens your bond, stimulates their mind, and reinforces good behavior through positive reinforcement. One of the most beloved and crowd-pleasing tricks is the “high five.” It’s simple, expressive, and surprisingly easy to teach when broken down into manageable steps. With patience, consistency, and a few treats, you can have your dog confidently offering their paw on cue in just a few short sessions.

The key to success lies not in complexity but in timing, repetition, and understanding how dogs learn. Unlike humans, dogs respond best to immediate feedback and clear associations between actions and rewards. This guide walks you through a proven, step-by-step method to teach your dog to high five—no prior trick experience required.

Step 1: Master the Foundation – Get Your Dog Comfortable with Paw Targeting

Before teaching a high five, your dog must first be comfortable with having their paws touched and manipulated. Many dogs instinctively pull away when you reach for their feet, so building trust is essential. Begin by simply touching each paw while your dog is relaxed, rewarding them immediately with a treat and verbal praise like “good!” after each touch.

Gradually increase the duration of contact. Lift the paw slightly off the ground for a second, then release and reward. Repeat this several times per session, keeping each interaction brief and positive. Over time, your dog will associate paw handling with good things.

Next, introduce the concept of “targeting”—teaching your dog to touch a specific object or hand with their paw. Hold your palm flat at your dog’s chest level and wait. When they naturally sniff or bump it, mark the behavior with a clicker or a verbal cue like “yes!” and give a treat. Repeat until your dog consistently reaches toward your hand.

Tip: Always end training sessions on a positive note—even if progress is slow. A final successful repetition followed by a reward keeps motivation high.

Step 2: Shape the Behavior – Capture the Paw Lift

Now that your dog is comfortable targeting your hand, shift focus to encouraging an intentional paw lift. Dogs often lift their paws when balancing, shifting weight, or seeking attention. Use these natural movements to your advantage.

Sit in front of your dog with a treat concealed in your closed fist. Present your palm upward at their chest level. As they investigate, they may lift a paw to nudge your hand. The moment they do—even slightly—say “yes!” and reward. If nothing happens after a few seconds, gently tap their shoulder to prompt a weight shift, which often causes a paw to lift.

Repeat this process multiple times per session. Over 2–3 days of short (5-minute) sessions, your dog will begin to offer the paw lift more frequently, anticipating the reward. This is called “shaping,” where you gradually refine a behavior by reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired action.

“Shaping allows dogs to problem-solve and participate actively in learning. It builds confidence and accelerates skill acquisition.” — Dr. Sophia Yin, Veterinary Behaviorist and Animal Training Pioneer

Step 3: Add the Verbal Cue – Pair Action with Command

Once your dog reliably lifts their paw toward your hand, it’s time to attach a verbal cue. Choose a clear, consistent phrase like “high five” or “paw.” Say the cue *just before* your dog performs the action—not after. Timing is critical. For example:

1. Say “high five.”
2. Hold out your palm.
3. Dog lifts paw and touches your hand.
4. Mark with “yes!” and reward.

If your dog doesn’t respond to the cue right away, go back to luring with the treat in your closed hand. After several successful repetitions with the cue, begin phasing out the lure. Instead of holding a treat in your hand, keep it behind your back and only produce it after the behavior is completed.

This transition from luring to cueing ensures your dog isn’t simply following the treat but responding to the command. Be patient—some dogs catch on in a day; others may take a week.

Step 4: Refine the Motion – Elevate the Paw for a True High Five

At this stage, your dog may be placing their paw in your hand at chest level. To make it a true “high five,” you need to raise the target height. Gradually lift your palm higher—toward shoulder or even head level—while maintaining the same cue.

Start by raising your hand just an inch above the previous position. Reward any attempt to reach it. If your dog seems confused, revert to luring briefly with a treat held slightly higher. As they succeed, incrementally increase the height over successive sessions.

Avoid rushing this step. Pushing too fast can lead to frustration or incorrect habits, like jumping or using teeth to grab the treat. Keep sessions upbeat and stop while your dog is still eager.

Stage	Hand Position	Goal
Foundation	Chest level	Paw contact with palm
Intermediate	Shoulder level	Controlled paw lift
Mastery	Head level or higher	Crisp, elevated high five

Step 5: Proof the Behavior – Practice in Different Environments

Just because your dog can high five in the living room doesn’t mean they’ll do it in the backyard or at the park. “Proofing” a behavior means reinforcing it across various distractions, locations, and contexts.

Begin practicing in low-distraction areas like your hallway or kitchen. Then move to more stimulating environments—your yard, a quiet sidewalk, or a friend’s house. Each time, reduce the reward frequency gradually. Start with a treat every repetition, then switch to every other time, then intermittently. This variable reinforcement schedule makes the behavior more resistant to extinction.

You can also vary the delivery: ask for a high five while standing, sitting, or even after another command like “sit” or “stay.” This helps generalize the skill and integrate it into your dog’s repertoire of reliable behaviors.

Tip: Always carry small, soft treats during training sessions. They’re easier to deliver quickly and don’t interrupt the flow of practice.

Real-Life Example: Teaching Bella the Rescue Dog

Bella, a two-year-old mixed breed adopted from a shelter, was initially shy and hesitant to interact physically. Her owner, Mark, wanted to build trust and mental stimulation through training. He started with basic paw touches during calm moments, pairing each with a piece of chicken. Within three days, Bella allowed full paw lifts.

Using a clicker, Mark shaped the behavior over five short sessions. By day six, he introduced the word “high five” and practiced near the front door to associate the trick with positive greetings. Two weeks later, Bella performed the high five reliably—even when visitors arrived. The trick became a bridge to deeper connection and a daily highlight for both of them.

Bella’s story illustrates that age, breed, and background don’t determine trainability. Consistency and kindness do.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Not every dog learns at the same pace. Some common hurdles include:

• Swatting or biting the hand: This usually happens when the dog is overly excited or trying to grab the treat. Keep hands neutral and reward only gentle contact. Use a flat palm, not fingers, to discourage mouthing.
• Refusing to lift the paw: Try tapping the shoulder or wiggling your fingers to trigger a natural lift. Alternatively, let the dog sit or stand on a slippery surface (like a rug edge) to encourage balance adjustments.
• Inconsistency in response: Go back to earlier shaping stages. Ensure the environment is free of distractions and that your timing with rewards is precise.

Remember, dogs don’t misbehave—they simply don’t understand what’s expected. Break the task into smaller steps and celebrate effort, not perfection.

Checklist: How to Teach Your Dog to High Five

Use this checklist to stay on track throughout the training process:

1. ✅ Build comfort with paw handling through gentle touches and treats.
2. ✅ Train paw targeting by rewarding contact with your open palm.
3. ✅ Capture and shape the paw lift using timing and positive reinforcement.
4. ✅ Introduce the verbal cue “high five” just before the behavior occurs.
5. ✅ Gradually raise hand height to achieve a full high five motion.
6. ✅ Practice in different locations with increasing distractions.
7. ✅ Phase out treats gradually, replacing them with praise and play.
8. ✅ End each session positively, even if progress is minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to teach a dog to high five?

Most dogs learn the basics within 3–7 short sessions (5–10 minutes each). Full mastery with reliability across environments may take 2–3 weeks. Puppies and highly food-motivated dogs often learn faster, but older or shy dogs can succeed with patience.

Can I teach a senior dog this trick?

Absolutely. Mental stimulation is crucial for aging dogs. As long as there are no joint issues preventing paw lifting, older dogs can learn new tricks. Adapt the pace to their energy level and use softer surfaces to avoid discomfort.

What if my dog uses the wrong paw?

It doesn’t matter which paw your dog uses. Most dogs have a dominant side, and that’s perfectly fine. If you want them to use either paw on demand, you can later teach a “switch” command, but for a high five, consistency of response matters more than paw preference.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Trick

Teaching your dog to high five is about more than impressing friends at parties. It’s a gateway to deeper communication, mutual respect, and shared joy. Every successful repetition builds your dog’s confidence and reinforces your role as a clear, supportive leader.

The methods outlined here—based on positive reinforcement, incremental shaping, and real-world application—are not limited to the high five. Once you’ve mastered this trick, you’ll find it easier to teach others like “shake,” “roll over,” or “play dead.” The principles remain the same: break it down, reward effort, and keep it fun.

💬 Ready to start training? Grab some treats, call your dog over, and try Step 1 today. Share your progress in the comments—we’d love to hear your success stories!