This is my first time posting, so I hope I have this in the right place. I have a rescued GSD mix (I think with lab). She's a great dog, intelligent, good with the kids, etc. The only issue I'm having with her is her pawing.

She's not jumping ON us, but rather rearing up and using her front paws to bat at us. She's playing, as there's no sign of aggression at all when she's doing this. She'll also, when playing tug of war, use her front feet to try and knock your arm down. She's 65 lbs, and even with her nails trimmed short, they can deliver a mighty scratch.

I've been wary of using the "toe pinch" method to correct this, as she's very skittish of having her feet handled, and we're working on desensitizing that. I wouldn't want to then turn around and HURT her feet with my hands, if that makes any sense. So far, it's been a loud NO PAWS! and a jerk to the collar, but she's still doing it. We do use a prong collar, and even though she's such a sweet-natured dog, she can take one HECK of a correction.

Any advice out there that might help us?

Hi Amber

One way of correcting this behaviour would be to ignore it - in much the same way as in when a puppy plays with his litter mates and plays to hard the 'victim' puppy will ignore and refuse to play anymore. By this the 'aggressor' puppy learns that if he wants continue to play he has to correct the offending behaviour.
So in your situation when your dog attempts to paw you - give him a negative command and turn your back on him to ignore him. Then try again - this may take some perseverence, but the dog will learn that his pawing stops him from getting your attention.
This worked a treat with my gsd to stop him from jumping up to say hello - and he was a 90lb dog. So you can imagine that this wasnt welcomed behaviour, no matter how nice and welcoming his intentions were.
This is a method that worked for me, however im sure that the good folk of this board will have different solutions that may work better for you.

Whatever method you use, good luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Amber, I'd suggest doing a square dance with him when he jumps up to paw, grab both paws and move around with him so he has to move around on rear paws. Let swarm for a second and put him down tell him "Off". Ask him to sit, Praise him for the sit.

If he tries it again sqaure dance with him again. It won't take long because you said he doesn't like him feet handled. Remember to praise him for sitting.

Thanks, guys! I'll give these suggestions a try and see if I can get her to keep her paws to herself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />