Paws Up

Paws Up is a confidence-boosting trick that builds balance, coordination, and body awareness, making it a perfect foundation skill for so many other tricks. A small behaviour with big benefits — and a fun way to get your dog moving with purpose.

Training Methods Used

• Luring

• Shaping

What You’ll Need

• Small treats your dog loves

• A large, quiet area to start the training

• Your clicker or “yes!” marker

• A wide, low, on-slip, stable platform

How to Teach It

• Getting started: Using a treat, guide your dog up onto the platform.

• Mark and release the treat when they step up.

• Add the cue. Say your cue (“paws up”) before you start the hand motion. Pause for a beat to let your dog respond, then help if needed.

• Fade the lure. Swap the food lure for a pointed finger.

• Once your dog understands the behaviour, they’ll likely learn that platform = put paws up.

Troubleshooting

• Dog doesn’t step up: mark and reward for movement toward the platform. Slow down your lure and make sure the trajectory follows the path toward and up toward your belly.

• Try different types of platforms: Lower, higher, wider, lay a yoga mat on top, try in a different area.

• Dog doesn’t stay on the platform: Reward multiple times back to back when they step up. Toss treats away to reset.