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An older man in a green sweater kneels on a patterned rug holding the raised paw of a red merle Australian Shepherd. 21 / 32

Kenji Knelt Down for Maple's First Shake Lesson. She Was Way Ahead of Him.

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Paw up, chin high, and looking quite proud of herself, Maple places one white-socked foot right into Kenji's waiting hand. He kneels on a faded patterned rug in an olive sweater and light blue shirt, chuckling softly as if she has just done it perfectly on the very first try. Her pale blue eye is turned toward the window and her expression is all business. The living room around them is comfortably cluttered, with a knit blanket on the couch, a denim jacket tossed on the coffee table, a mug and spare glasses beside it, and a basket of toys and balls in the corner.

Teaching shake is one of the easiest and most rewarding tricks to start with, and it works well for dogs of any age. A common method is to hold a small treat in a closed hand near the dog's chest, wait until the dog lifts or paws at your hand, then say a cue word, open your hand, and reward. Keep sessions short, maybe a few minutes, and end on a success. Australian Shepherds tend to pick up tricks quickly because they are clever and eager to work with their people, and they often enjoy learning new skills throughout their lives. Positive, reward-based training also builds trust, which makes everyday handling like nail trims and vet visits a little easier.

Before long, Maple will probably be offering her paw at every opportunity, whether anyone asked or not. Kenji, it seems, is perfectly fine with that.

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