To teach a dog paws up—meaning your dog places their two front paws onto a low, stable surface while their back feet remain comfortably on the floor—first confirm your dog's physical suitability (AKC) and verify a sturdy, non-slip object that cannot slide, tip or collapse (Dogs Trust). Place that stable surface between you and your dog, lure the front paws onto it with a treat, transition to an empty-hand gesture once the posture is reliable, and finally add a verbal cue such as “Up” or “Pose.”
| Setup & stage check (Dogs Trust / AKC / Blue Cross) | Relative position of person, box, and dog (side-view layout) | What to verify or reward before moving on |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Physical suitability & non-slip box check (Before starting) | Test the low platform or sturdy box on the floor with your hands before inviting the dog near it. | Confirm with your vet if your dog is growing, senior, or has joint/back concerns (AKC). Verify the box cannot slide, wobble, tip, or cave in under weight; if it shifts at all, switch to a flat ground game instead of using an ordinary hollow storage bin (Dogs Trust). |
| 2. Guided front-paw placement (Lure stage) | Person → Sturdy Box → Dog: Stand or kneel facing your dog with the stable box placed directly between you and your dog (Dogs Trust). | Hold a treat near your dog's nose and draw it slowly across the top of the box toward you; mark and reward the instant your dog steps their two front paws onto the top surface with hind feet grounded on the floor. |
| 3. Empty-hand gesture (Fading the lure) | Maintain the same Person → Box → Dog alignment with no food held in the guiding hand. | Give the same upward/across hand gesture over the box, then mark and deliver a treat from your other hand or pouch once both front paws settle on the surface (Dogs Trust). |
| 4. Verbal cue (“Up” or “Pose”) & pause rule | Say the chosen cue word as you invite your dog to step their front paws onto the box between you. | Continue marking and rewarding willing front-paw placement (Dogs Trust); pause immediately and choose an easier activity if your dog hesitates or the task feels difficult (Blue Cross). |
Check before practising
The AKC's trick-training guide advises checking physical suitability before introducing a weight-bearing trick and asking your veterinarian whenever you are uncertain.
Dogs Trust requires a safe, sturdy item that cannot slip or fall under the dog. Its starter exercise uses a sturdy box and favourite treats. An ordinary plastic or cardboard storage box is not automatically suitable; if you do not have a surface that stays completely stable under weight, skip this exercise and choose a flat-ground activity instead.
Teach the position first
Place the sturdy item on the floor directly between you and your dog. Slowly lure your dog's two front paws up onto the top surface with a treat while their hind legs remain on the floor; mark and reward that exact front-paws-up position. Repeat only while participation remains relaxed and willing.
Remove food from the guiding hand
Once your dog steps both front paws onto the box smoothly, use the same hand gesture without a treat in your guiding hand, continuing to mark and deliver a food reward for the completed position.
Add the word
Following Dogs Trust's next stage, introduce a consistent verbal cue, such as “Up” or “Pose,” while continuing praise, marking and food rewards.
Blue Cross recommends pausing when learning becomes difficult and reconsidering the task before trying later. Do not push through uncertainty.
The separate hand-target lesson teaches nose contact on flat ground rather than this supported front-paw position.
