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A white-haired woman in a green quilted vest kneels on a patterned rug holding the raised paw of a white Bichon Frise. 29 / 39

Grandma Ruth Spent All Week Teaching Cotton a New Trick. Today Was the Test.

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Lesson time on the living room rug. Ruth kneels on a colorful woven carpet, glasses perched on her nose, gently holding one of Cotton's front paws in her palm. The Bichon sits up straight with his paw lifted, looking up at her as if he knows he is doing something very impressive. Ruth beams back at him. Behind them, a lamp glows warm on a side table, a sofa draped in a knit blanket holds a mug and a pair of glasses, and a basket of folded towels sits on the floor.

Shake is one of the easiest and most charming tricks to teach a dog. Start with your dog in a sit, hold a treat in a closed fist near their chest, and wait. Many dogs will naturally paw at your hand to get the treat. The moment the paw lifts, say a cue like 'shake,' gently take the paw, and reward. With short, upbeat practice sessions, most dogs catch on quickly. Bichons are often eager to please and food motivated, which makes them a fun breed to train. Keep sessions brief and positive, and stop while your dog is still enjoying it. Tricks like this also help with handling, making nail trims and vet visits a bit easier.

Cotton has clearly mastered this one, and he seems proud of it. A paw in the hand, a treat on the way, and a grandma who thinks he is the smartest dog in the world. Not a bad afternoon at all.

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A white-haired woman in a beige quilted vest plants a tomato seedling as a white Bichon Frise digs in the soil beside her.Grandma Ruth Was Planting Tomatoes. Cotton Decided the Garden Needed More Holes.A smiling white-haired woman in a navy vest offers grain to ducks at a pond while a white Bichon Frise sits nearby.The Ducks Came Paddling Over for Grandma's Grain. Cotton Had to Make a Choice.A smiling white-haired woman in glasses and a navy vest sits on a wooden bench hugging a happy white Bichon Frise.Grandma Ruth Just Wanted to Rest on the Boardwalk Bench. Cotton Had Other Plans.A smiling white-haired woman sits at a patio breakfast table as a white Bichon Frise in a red collar looks up at her.Grandma Set the Patio Table for Breakfast. Cotton Noticed the Croissant First.