Grandma Bea Held Out Her Hand and Said Shake. Dumpling Gave Her a Look First.
Success. Dumpling has lifted one sturdy white paw, and Grandma Bea is holding it gently in both hands, beaming with pride. She sits on the patterned rug in a cozy oatmeal cardigan over a gray tee, silver hair pinned up, leaning in toward her star pupil. The Bulldog looks up at her with a sideways glance and a crooked underbite, clearly aware that he has done something worth celebrating. The living room around them is warm and busy, with a coffee table holding a mug, a newspaper, and a spare pair of glasses, plus a yellow throw, houseplants, and a glowing lamp.
Teaching shake is a classic trick that is fun and easy for most dogs. Start by holding a treat in a closed hand near the floor; many dogs will paw at it, and the moment they lift a paw, reward them. Then add a word like shake and an open palm. Keep sessions short, positive, and upbeat, ending on a success. Bulldogs are known for being affectionate but sometimes stubborn, so patience and tasty rewards work best. Training sessions also give dogs mental stimulation, which is just as important as physical exercise for a breed that tires quickly with strenuous activity.
A simple handshake may not seem like much, but to Grandma Bea and Dumpling it is a small triumph. The treats will follow, the praise will flow, and this proud Bulldog will probably offer that paw to everyone who visits for weeks.
