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An elderly man in a cream sweater vest holds the raised paw of a seated fawn Pug on a patterned living room rug. 29 / 38

Grandpa Ken Held Out His Hand to Mochi. The Lesson Went Better Than Expected.

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There is a patterned rug on the living room floor, a lamp glowing warmly in the corner, and a very important lesson in progress. Mochi sits up straight in a brown leather collar, one front paw lifted into Grandpa Ken's hand, mouth open in what looks like a proud little grin. Grandpa Ken leans in with an affectionate smile, cream sweater vest and glasses catching the light, gently holding the paw as though it were a handshake at a business meeting. Behind them, a sofa piled with cushions, a green throw, a basket of colorful yarn and a pair of slippers show a home well lived in.

Teaching a dog to shake is one of the friendliest first tricks, and it works best in short, happy sessions. Start with your dog sitting, hold a small treat in a closed hand, and wait for them to paw at it. The moment a paw lifts, say a cue word, take the paw gently, and reward. Repeat a few times a day and the paw will start to rise on its own. Keep sessions to a few minutes, use tiny treats so your dog does not fill up, and stop while they are still having fun. Pugs love food and attention, so they tend to be eager students, though patience matters for any dog.

Mochi seems to understand he has been introduced as a gentleman. Grandpa Ken seems equally pleased to have been greeted.

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