My English bulldog, Moby, enjoys showing off a number of tricks. My favorite trick of Moby’s delights our house guests and neighbors, but even better it also encourages safe and cooperative dog behavior. Moby knows how to wave hello and goodbye — to family members, friends, and even drivers stopped next to us at busy intersections. Here’s how you can teach your dog to wave hello and goodbye in just a few simple steps.
Prerequisites
In order to train your dog to wave hello and goodbye, you first must have a basic familiarity with training strategies. This trick can be taught using treats as rewards, but I have better success just using affection and verbal approval. Your dog should already know a sit command, but that skill does not need to be mastered to begin teaching how to wave. Intact,the two skills can support each other.
Step One: Sit
Your dog has a natural inclination to use body language to communicate. A common dog body language move is a lifting of one of the front paws a few inches off the ground. This gesture typically indicates a desire to play, or an interest in reaching up or pawing at a human for attention. Watch your dog for this gesture,especially when you first exchange greetings in the morning or upon each arrival home.
As soon as your dog lifts its paw, say “hi” while making eye contact with the dog. You also should take a step toward or lean closer to your dog. This will encourage the dog to shift its gaze upward, pushing its rear end down and naturally encouraging sitting.
If your dog does not automatically sit when you move overhead, raise one hand with your palm open and give your sit command.
Step Two: Repeat the Lift
Once your dog is seated, repeat your “hi” command, this time actually raising your hand and waving (maintain eye contact). If your dog responds by lifting one of its front paws even slightly, turn your gaze to the lifted paw, give effusive verbal praise, and provide physical affection. It’s especially important to move closer upon providing positive feedback because you want your dog to associate the lift behavior with receiving your attention.
If your dog does not lift it’s paw following your wave, do not move closer, but rather look away and try the process again in a few minutes. Eventually your dog will naturally lift it’s paw, and it won’t take long for your dog to learn to associate your attention and praise with an action it naturally wants to use to indicate a desire to connect with you.
Step Three: Expand
Once your dog will respond to a sit and hi command, begin waving hi and using the command regularly — even as much as 20-30 times per day. When your dog responds with a wave (even a half-hearted one), give more praise and affection. Soon your dog will master the command and listen for it. People often greet dogs by saying hi,and they respond with delight when your dog waves hi in reply. This will further encourage the behavior, especially if you respond with encouragement and affection each time it occurs. You can also begin waving goodbye, and your dog will soon learn to use the same behavior with each command.
Moby waves at children and parents we meet on the street, neighbors, and all sorts of strangers and visitors. Follow these steps and soon your dog will, too! Good luck, and feel free to leave comments about your successes and failures.