Reg: 03-17-2007
Posts: 20
Loc: germany but born in Mi
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she is is a westy well groomed no long nails, not a large dog, and gives the paw gently. I stated working on heel command with her today, and she has not given me her paw today. I think she just needed an outlet for some mental stimulation. However, if she doeas it again I will ignore her.
cynthia--good job!! believe me (or anyone else that posted)--everyone's better off without a dog that paws at a person! for whatever reason, it's simply not a behavior to encourage in any way shape or form, whether the dog's big or small. it IS NOT CUTE!! it's obnoxious.
ok rant over, but really, dogs pawing at me gets a reaction (even if it's in my own head cause it's not safe or politically correct to correct the dog in their own home. tho i've been tempted).
keep ignoring it and/or requiring a different behavior cynthia. you probably won't ever be able to extinguish it 100%, but you should be able to minimize it. and tell family/guests how you want them to deal with it when she presents it to them cause she WILL, unless she's in a crate.
Ed Frawley Administrator Reg: 07-11-2001
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The original question on this thread was about why a dog lifts his paw.
The answer is not that the dog wants to shake hands - when dogs do this it is a sign of SUBMISSION to the person they are with. You will never see a truly dominant dog sit next to a handler and lift his paw like this.
A similar point is made about dogs that YAWN - dogs don't YAWN because they are tired - they yawn because they are stressed.
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
Posts: 1548
Loc: Vermont
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I get that the offering of the paw would be submissive; makes sense. Is it still considered submissive when they whack you with it? Is it something different or just a variation on the same theme?
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006
Posts: 2665
Loc: AZ
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I think the whacking part is him just not understanding to be gentle...he's a big Dobe - long legs and strong paws He probably thinks he's being very sweet, and not intentionally clobbering you
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
Posts: 1548
Loc: Vermont
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Hehe...Yup, I think you're right. If he were a Westie it wouldn't have the same impact (no pun intended :grin, but being so large he probably can't help himself. He's such a lummox. When he's older he'll probably be more gentle, and it'll feel more submissive and sweet.
Mike Arnold Webboard User Reg: 07-09-2004
Posts: 1344
Loc: CNY
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You can learn a lot from Mr. Frawley.
The yawn. I now have another cue to consider when I monitor my mutts.
The paw-submission thing was one of those humility moments you learn early on with a dog. You think you are this great trainer when you get your first dog to shake hands, and in reality the dog will shake without any real training. Duh.
But the yawn... I have one that will yawn more frequenty than the others, and I'll be more attentive to her needs for exercise and work from here on out. Why didn't I know about the yawn?
Thanks Mr. Frawley.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
Posts: 1849
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Mike, they also blink a lot when they're submissive, and lick their chops and dart their eyes back and forth if they're feeling unsure.
I had one of the most submissive dogs on the planet as a foster dog and he did all of these things. The paw, the yawning, the blinking, the licking. For an added bonus, he'd even pee if you looked at him wrong!
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: louanne manter
I was going to ask that question, kind of. :-)
When they keep "pawing" you ... putting their paw on your leg or arm, is that the same?
Trying to control your movements or be physically on top of you, demanding attention/petting -- these are not the same as offering a paw. These are dominant behaviors.
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