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A black pug in a brown collar places its paw in the hand of a smiling elderly man kneeling on a patterned rug. 31 / 36

Grandpa Spent the Morning Teaching His Pug to Shake. Then It Clicked.

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Paw meets palm, and Grandpa's face lights up like he's just won a prize. Kneeling on a soft patterned rug in a tan sweater and light blue collar, he holds Mochi's raised front paw in his hand with obvious pride. The black pug sits up straight in his brown leather collar, one paw extended, ears forward, looking pleased and maybe a bit expectant about the treat that surely comes next. The living room is bright and calm, with a gray sofa draped in a green throw, a houseplant, and a coffee table holding a mug, a basket, and some books.

Teaching shake is a fun first trick, and older dogs can learn new tricks too. A simple method is to hold a small treat in a closed hand near the dog's chest. Many dogs will paw at the hand to get it, and the moment the paw lifts, say a cue word like shake, open your hand, and reward. Over several short sessions, the dog learns to connect the word with the action. Keep training to just a few minutes at a time and end on a success. Pugs are often food-motivated, which helps, but because they gain weight easily, tiny treats or pieces of their regular kibble work best.

Mochi may never become a circus star, but he's mastered the most important part of any trick: making Grandpa smile. That's a skill worth practicing every single day.

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