How to teach your cat to shake paws
Your cat places a front paw in your open, palm-up hand and holds it there a moment.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 5-10 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
Why it matters
Shake gets your cat used to paw handling, which makes nail trims easier, and it is a lovely greeting trick for guests.
Before you start
Play with a wand toy first, then train in a quiet room before a meal, when your cat is a little hungry. Have 10 to 15 pea-sized soft treats ready.
Step by step
Low high five
Ask for a high five with your palm lower than usual, about level with your cat's chest. Click the touch.
Move on when: Touches a chest-height palm 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Lower the palm in small steps across sessions.
Turn the palm
Tilt your hand so the palm faces up, at chest height, a little in front of the paw. Click when the paw lands on it.
Move on when: Paw lands on the upturned palm 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Hold your thumb out of the way so the paw lands flat.
Hold for one second
When the paw lands, wait one second, then click. Let the paw rest; do not grip.
Move on when: Paw rests for 1 second 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: If the paw lifts early, mark a shorter rest next time.
Gentle thumb
Lay your thumb lightly over the paw for a second while it rests. Click and treat.
Move on when: Accepts thumb on paw calmly 5 times in a row
Tip: This is the handling part. Go slower if your cat pulls back.
Add the cue
Say "Shake" as you offer your palm-up hand. Click the rest.
Move on when: Shakes on cue 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Use a different cue word from high five so your cat learns two tricks.
The cue
- Say
- “Shake”
- Hand signal
- Palm-up hand held at the cat's chest height
If it isn't working
- High fives instead
- Hold the palm lower and flatter. Mark only for the paw landing on top. Practise shake in a separate session from high five at first.
- Pulls the paw away
- Drop the thumb step. Mark the paw landing and treat at once. Handling is earned in tiny steps.
- Walks off after a few tries
- Shorten to 5 rewards and end with play. Use a tastier treat.
Safety
Safety- Never grab or hold a paw that pulls back; it teaches avoidance.
- Count training treats in the daily food to keep a healthy weight.
Mastered when
Shakes on cue and rests the paw for 2 seconds with your thumb on top, 4 out of 5 times
Video check: Film 3 cued shakes with left and right hand
Variations
- Shake with the other paw
- Shake for a guest
- Paw rests while you press gently on a toe (prep for nail trims)
Teach this first
Learn next
Sources
- Click and laugh: fun cat tricks (Karen Pryor, clickertraining.com)
- Tips for clicker training your cat (Cats Protection)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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