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An elderly Black grandpa in a green cardigan smiles and holds the paw of a brindle French Bulldog sitting on a patterned rug. 15 / 34

Grandpa Otis Taught Bruno One New Trick. The Handshake Was Perfect.

AI imagefrench bulldogshake pawsdog training

Kneeling on a patterned rug in a cozy living room, Grandpa Otis is beaming as he gently holds Bruno's paw in his hand. His green cardigan is a little rumpled and his glasses sit crooked from all the grinning. Bruno sits up proudly with ears flared like satellite dishes and one dark eye fixed on his grandpa, waiting for the praise that is clearly coming. A rope toy, a tennis ball, and a sofa draped with throw blankets sit behind them, while a framed painting hangs on the wall. It looks like a lesson well learned and a trick well earned.

Teaching a dog to shake is a classic first trick, and it works best with short sessions, small treats, and plenty of patience. Many trainers suggest gently lifting the paw, saying the cue word, and then rewarding the dog right away so he links the action with a reward. Keep each session to a few minutes, end on a success, and never force a dog's paw. French Bulldogs are smart but can be stubborn, so cheerful encouragement works better than repetition. Training is also a nice bonding activity for older owners, since it needs little space and no heavy exercise.

Bruno's expression says he's proud of himself. Otis, meanwhile, has the look of a grandfather who just watched his student graduate.

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