Want to teach your puppy a new trick? Then teach it to wave!
This awesome trick can help your furry baby instantly connect to people or break the ice with strangers whether or not they are close by. Also, it is a fabulous way for your bow wow friend to interact with your family and friends.
However, if your puppy seems apprehensive to be around unfamiliar faces on the street or hides in a corner when there are guests at home, it probably had some traumatic experiences in the past that go back to the days before you adopted it, or it lacks socialization or is genetically programmed to be wary of unknown people.
In a case like this, don’t force an interaction just yet. Controlled exposure can help avoid scratching, biting, and lunging episodes. If your furry baby is new to the household, then meet your vet to learn about its dietary and other basic requirements. At the same time, consider being prepared with pet insurance, so your fur companion has a medical financial backup to lean on during needy times of health.
Contemplate purchasing dog insurance so getting quality medical assistance need not exhaust your entire savings. Meanwhile, read this article to learn how to teach your pet pooch to wave in six simple steps.
Teach your puppy to wave
Assuming that your furry baby already knows how to give a paw, you can proceed with the following steps, so it learns how to wave.
Steps
1: Allow your puppy to sit facing you in a quiet room.
2: Introduce the wave sign to your pet by moving your hand back and forth as a wave. You can even try the cupped style often used by royalty.
3: Soon after that, say “Paw” (a verbal cue) and stretch your hand out, so your canine imitates it with a paw (visual cue). As soon as your furry baby gives its paw, mark that behavior with a “Yes” or “Click” (using a clicker), and then praise and reward it for getting it right. Practice this in a loop until your pupper learns the skill.
4: With this, the moment has arrived to switch to the “Wave” command. Now, allow your pet to wave (new sign) and then let it give its paw (old sign). After your pet responds appropriately to the command sequence, mark the behavior, and reward for positive reinforcement. Practice until your pet gets the hang of a wave.
5: Follow everything mentioned in the fourth step but add a verbal cue, “Wave,” and then show the hand sign for waving.
6: Once your puppy picks up the skill, practice it with varying distances between both of you. Gradually introduce distractions and practice the trick, so your furry baby succeeds at waving in a real-life situation.
While all this training happens in controlled environments, there can be several provoking things in actual situations, especially in an outdoor location. You never know if your puppy will wave at somebody or threateningly pounce on people and animals, wreaking havoc in the place.
This is one reason why you should consider being prepared with pet insurance. Dog insurance covers a canine fur baby’s testing, treatment, and medications during accidents, injuries, specific illnesses, and medical emergencies, so purchasing a policy can be worth it.
