More Paw behaviors

There is another really simple paw behavior with some fabulous real-world applications (beyond indulging your own sick fascination with paws). This gem of a skill is one I learned while coaching Reactive Dog class with Your Dogs Friend, and we called it Paws Up. 

Fozzie loves Paws Up with Healing with Whole Foods

You place a book on the floor and get the dog interested in it by tapping it and being excited. Most dogs will sniff it, which you can click and treat initially. Then hold out for the paw to touch the book before clicking and treating. 

Lamar's more of a Raw Foods Cookbook kind of a Paws Up guy

Then, delay the click/treat until the paw goes on the book. Gradually, by withholding the click and treat longer, you can get the dog to put both paws on the book. Most dogs will get very enthusiastic about pounding the book with both front paws like its just the coolest thing in the world.

You can then name it Paws Up, and you can prompt a Paws Up when you're on a walk and next to a curb, rock, or any raised object. 

This has great applications for reactive dogs, as something to do in response to seeing another dog--instead of reacting. If he has learned it well at home and has a strong reward history--and if you have done plenty of work with classical conditioning so he has the presence of mind to do anything when he sees another dog--Paws Up can be a great way for a dog to choose an alternative to reacting (while showing off his pedicure).

Are your dogs natural paw offerers? Or have you had to come up with some clever ways to get them waving and slapping?