Hello! I have the Basic Obedience video and its working great, I just need help with a minor problem, How do I make my 1 1/2 year Lab to stop giving me his paw everytime I go near him. He does that everytime I come to praise him for doing a command right. How do I correct this action. Thanks!

Micheal,
Correcting this behavior can often be as simple as witholding a reward when the negative behavior is present, and rewarding the absence of the behavior. Mark the unwanted action (as soon as your dog lifts his paw) with the word "No.", and withold any reward or attention. Walk away from the dog, and begin the exercise again. Try to reward your dog for performing the exercise correctly, marking the behavior with a "Yes!" and a treat or praise, and release him from the position before he gets the chance to paw at you. Gradually lengthen the amount of time before you reward while helping your dog to be as successful as possible, and remain consistent with the "No." as well. I hope that helps!

Lifting a paw can be a sign of submission or stress. It should be delt with by positive methods. I wouldn't correct for it.

I've had good luck with making a big, happy fuss over whatever good thing the dog does, petting him and praising excitedly, and if the dog does something negative, I just say "noo" in a quieter, low voice (but not a sharp, corrective voice, mostly done to interrupt the dog's train of thought) and stop the petting. The dog gets confused by my reaction and ceases the negative behavior and then I immediately resume my happy praises and petting. Invariably, the dog does it again, and I repeat. The dog may try it a few more times but each time the negative behavior is offered on increasing level of hesitation by the dog, like it's testing me to make sure that that behavior is what I don't like. Dogs figure this out very quick and are happy with this because they figured out what gets them heaps of love. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I've done this with dogs I've placed in a sit who lick my face (ew), prod me for pets, or jump up with good results. In your case, I'd have the dog sit and then start praising and petting, and the second the paw goes up stop the praise and pets. Your dog should put the paw back down very quick, even if it's just to readjust his posture, and as soon as it happens, resume the praise. It may work after a few reps <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A friend of mine with a Rescue Border Collie had the same trouble. She put a command to it, and taught her to put her paw on her hand (high-five) instead of on her body, using a clicker. Once the dog understood the command and was rewarded for it, it was easy enough to eliminate, as the dog would wait for the command.

Linda