How to teach your dog to high five

You will need:

Treats 

Try some super-tasty, extra delicious treats for when your dog is learning a new command and some commonplace, run-of-the-mill treats for when you’re fine-tuning a command they know relatively well.

Time

Although no huge chunks of it… training works better when done in short, frequent sessions rather than huge half-hour blocks.

Space

Nominate one area of the house to use for training. Ideally, the space should be free of distractions and obstacles.

Teach your dog to high five, step by step

1. Hold a treat in your hand a close it in your fist. Get your dog’s attention by holding the treat near their nose, they should lick or paw at your fist. 
2. When they paw or lick your hand, give them plenty of praise and give them the treat. 
3. Repeat this step 4 or 5 times, then say “high five!” when your dog starts to lift their paw. 
4. When your dog has mastered this, it’s time to change your fist into an open palm, so you can achieve a true high five. Without a treat in your hand, hold your hand up to your dog with your palm facing their nose.
5. Say “High Five!” and praise them when they touch your hand with their paw. Reward and repeat.

And remember...

Keep it interesting

If your dog is good at learning tricks, try getting them to “high five” in different places. Once your dog is consistently high-fiving, gradually reduce how often you reward them.

Practice makes perfect

Be patient, your dog might not pick this up straight away. Always use positive reinforcement when training, never scold or shout at your dog if they’re struggling.

Need more info?

For more help on dog training, have a chat with your local vet – they’ll be able to recommend a local qualified canine behaviourist if you need one. Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page.