Commando High five

"High five" is a fun and interactive trick that your dog will not only enjoy doing but is also great to show off to friends and family. It's a simple extension of "Shake" and strengthens the bond between you and your dog through positive interaction.

How to Teach Your Dog to 'High Five'

Start with "Paw": Make sure your dog already understands the "Paw" command, as this is the basis for "High Five."
Change your hand position: Instead of holding your hand horizontally (as in "Shake"), hold your hand upright, as if you were about to give a high five.
Give the command: Clearly say "High five" while holding your hand upright. Your dog will instinctively bring its paw toward your hand.
Reward only on command: It's important to reward your dog only when he gives a high five after you say the command. If he does this on his own without a command, don't reward him.
Reward immediately: As soon as his paw touches your hand, reward him with a treat and a marker signal such as "Yes" or "Good boy."
Repeat and reinforce: Keep practicing the trick in short sessions and gradually add more distractions to help your dog focus better.

Tips for success

Be patient: If your dog has trouble understanding the new hand position, gently take a step back and practice again.
Make it fun: Use a cheerful tone and rewards to keep your dog motivated.
Expand: Once your dog understands “High Five” well, you can try teaching a double high five with both paws.

Why is 'High five' important?

Besides being a fun and social trick, "High Five" strengthens your dog's obedience and focus. It's a great way to have fun together and improve communication between you and your dog. Moreover, it prepares your dog for more complex skills like "Hug" or "Pretending to be Embarrassed."

Troubleshooting during training

Is your dog unresponsive? Reward small attempts at first, like lifting his paw, to encourage him.
Doesn't he get the new hand position? Start with "Shake" and slowly move your hand to the high five position.
Is your dog overexcited? Reward calm behavior and practice in a quiet environment.

Want to show us how you teach your dog to "High Five"? Send us a video explaining the training process and demonstrating your approach. Email your video to klantenservice@fidello.nl and receive €10 in store credit if your submission is published.