Grandma Edie Asked Moose to Shake. She Wasn't Ready for the Size of That Paw.
Shake practice is officially a success. Grandma Edie kneels on the patterned rug in her green quilted vest and cream sweater, glasses low on her nose, cradling Moose's enormous white paw in both hands. The Saint Bernard sits tall and proud, looking down at her with the serious face of a dog who knows he has done something impressive. Behind them, the living room is lived-in and warm: a couch heaped with blankets, a plaid scarf hanging on a hook, framed photos on the shelves, and a houseplant soaking up light by the window.
Teaching a trick like shake is a great way to bond with a dog of any age. Short sessions of a few minutes work best, and small, soft treats or warm praise make the lesson stick. Most dogs pick up shake by first lifting a paw on their own, then getting rewarded the instant they do it, then adding a word or hand cue. Giant breeds like Saint Bernards tend to be eager to please but can be a little slow and steady in their learning style, so patience pays off. Training also gives older dogs mental exercise, which helps keep them engaged and calm at home.
There is a special pride in watching a big, gentle dog get something right. Moose may have taken a few tries, and his paw is roughly the size of a dinner plate, but the handshake is firm and the friendship is even firmer.
