How to Teach Your Dog to Put Paws Up is an activity that goes beyond teaching your dog a trick. This exercise may be necessary if your dog gets dirty on a walk, you need to brush their coat, or inspect their paws. It will also help them gain assurance when presented with new objects and encourage their curiosity.
Modern reward-based training emphasize teaching a dog to navigate a challenge, rather than simply obeying the command and receiving a treat. Instead of placing a dog’s paws on an object, you are inviting them to make a discovery and have an exciting experience that will make them more confident in the future.
Why This Exercise Matters
Getting a dog to place two front paws on a stable surface is great for more than just one reason. It builds confidence, as well as balance, and teaches them that unfamiliar objects can be safe to stand on. It is for this reason that many trainers start with this before moving onto things like grooming tables, scales at the vet, and other similar activities.
A common mistake is to start too high, thinking it will challenge their dog, just know that a little height goes a long way. It’s better to start lower and get quick wins, so your dog gains confidence.
How To Teach Your Dog To Put Paws Up
Select a stable and nonslip surface such as a wooden step or a box. It is advisable not to use surfaces that will move around, since it will result in hesitation before the actual training can start. Have some soft treats available and train in a peaceful place. Training sessions that last between five and ten minutes yield better results because the dog does not get distracted easily. It is advisable not to lift the dog’s feet up to the object. This is because dogs learn the behavior much better if they find out about it themselves rather than be physically assisted into position.
Step-by-Step Training Guide (2026)
1. Follow the Dog’s Curiosity
Put the platform on the floor and allow the dog to interact with the platform by itself. Some dogs will get there right away, whereas others will observe from afar. Reward every curious look, smell or approaching. This will make the dog realize that interacting with the platform is not scary but rewarding.
2. Reward One Paw
Place the treat directly above the front part of the platform so that the dog will have to reach for it. Reward and mark right away once any front paw touches the platform. In case your dog does not put any paw forward but goes around the platform instead, lower your hand down, not raise. Forward reaching is more natural compared to climbing up.
3. Wait For Both Paws
Once your dog begins to consistently offer one front paw, wait for him to tentatively bring up the second. Many dogs will do this naturally before going back to the treat. As soon as he touches the platform with both front paws, reward extravagantly and let him off the platform. Your dog should always feel rewarded and confident about moving up onto the platform, so don’t hold him there for very long, especially during the first few practice sessions.
4. Add The Cue
When you have a reliable movement, say “Paws Up” just before leading your dog towards the platform. Say it once and allow several seconds for thought. Do not repeat the command, because many dogs will learn faster if they have to figure out the behavior on their own.
5. Apply The Behavior In Real-life Situations
Practice the cue before wiping your dog’s muddy paws, working on introducing new grooming tools, or having your dog put its paws on something safe outdoors, such as a low tree stump or rock. Practicing the cue in regular life shows your dog that it is meant for something useful and increases the likelihood that it will actually work compared to practicing during training.
Let Your Dog Solve The Puzzle
Dogs often learn most effectively when they’re able to solve puzzles by trial and error. Allowing your dog to think through a situation before assisting shows him that he can work out the answer for himself. This builds confidence that he can successfully find solutions to new challenges.
Many professional trainers have discovered that dogs who learn at their own pace are often the most confident. These dogs often have the freedom to explore, stumble upon a few answers, and learn at their own speed.
Minor Adjustments That Change Everything
Most training issues are related to an adjustment in one small area, rather than the exercise itself. Before troubleshooting your plan, try a minor modification and observe your dog’s reaction. Perhaps your platform was too high, your rewards were too delayed, or your sessions were too short. A minor tweak is often all that is needed to get things back on track.
| If your dog | Try this |
|---|---|
| Walks past it | Toss a treat nearby |
| Uses one paw | Reward that step |
| Jumps up | Lower the lure |
| Steps off quickly | Reward sooner |
| Seems unsure | Use a lower platform |
You are not aiming for perfection, just a shift in your dog’s attitude toward novel objects. Once you have that, you can teach your dog “Paws Up” with far greater success and ease.
Using the “Paws Up” Cue In Daily Life
The true value of this cue reveals itself well beyond the training room or after the dog has mastered the skill. By training your dog to “Paws Up,” you now have an obedience tool that can make everyday tasks easier on your dog and, by extension, on you. For example, asking your dog to put his front paws on a low table before cleaning his muddy paws removes confusion and creates a positive routine.
You could even use this cue when putting on a harness or checking his paws after a walk or at the vet. The beauty of this cue is that it can be used as a training aid in many areas of your dog’s life. When your dog becomes confident in the cue, start using it in various places so he understands that the command is always important.
How To Keep The Behavior Reliable
Teaching the command is just the first step. Reliability will come from using it consistently when it really matters. Dogs don’t usually forget a behavior once they have learned it well. Instead, they stop paying attention to it because they aren’t practicing or rewarding the command anymore.
As your dog gets more reliable, start switching between treats and praise or play or any other reward such as continuing the walk. If your dog doesn’t listen to the command in a new location, never repeat the command many times. Take them back to the easier setting and when they succeed, slowly reintroduce distractions. Being able to perform the behaviour in a variety of settings will allow your dog to be reliable in their responses.
Everyday Ways To Use The “Paws Up” Cue
You will likely find yourself using this behaviour more than you think.
- Clean muddy paws after a walk.
- Check paws for injuries or grass seeds.
- Putting on a harness becomes easier.
- Nail trimming or grooming can be prepared for in advance.
- Getting on the vet’s scale can be made easier.
- Simple balancing games can be played.
The best training is often not the most spectacular one. It is often the behavior that silently simplifies everyday life.
A Simple Command With Many Advantages
Some dog commands are taught simply for the sake of being clever, but “Paws Up” has the added benefit of giving the dog a little confidence boost. Every successful repeat of the command reinforces the idea in the dog’s head that trying something new can have positive results.
Months from now, you will most likely not remember the exact moment when your dog placed two paws on the platform. You might remember the walk on a rainy day, which ended up without any muddy prints on the floor, or the calm and thorough grooming session, or maybe the fast and stress-free vet visit. The real training success is not defined by the cool tricks your dog can perform but by the number of everyday tasks made easier for both of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take me to train my dog to put paws up?
Most dogs learn the basic command within a few training sessions, whereas a solid response in different environments takes a couple of weeks of regular practice.
Do I need a clicker to teach my dog “Paws Up”?
No. Clicker is not necessary. The key thing is using a verbal marker like “Yes!” every time you catch your dog doing the desired behaviour.
What should my dog put their paws on?
As a beginner, it is a good idea to start with a wooden step or a low, stable object. Once your dog gets more comfortable with the exercise, you can try different surfaces.
Is it safe to teach paws up to puppies?
Puppies can safely learn the “Paws Up” command. Nevertheless, make sure the object they have to walk on is stable and low to their feet.
Sources
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. Please consult with your veterinarian or a positive reinforcement trainer before starting a new training program if your dog has health or mobility issues or any other concerns.
- Best Outdoor Dog Beds for Large & Small Dogs (2026 Reviews) - August 4, 2026
- How To Teach Your Dog to Stand: Step-by-Step Training Guide (2026) - August 3, 2026
- How to Teach Your Dog To Put Paws Up: Step-by-Step Training Guide (2026) - August 3, 2026