Paws…..debate
April 29, 2008 by admin
When I first met George, it didn’t take him long to realise I had kibbles in my pocket. We’d stopped to have some pictures taken and suddenly a paw was on my knee. Although this looks cute, I thought ‘Um pushy behaviour’.
Our previous Rotties moved into our home, both offering their paw when wanting something and when being asked for it. I’m not sure if this is akined to the breed as most Rotties I’ve met will happily shake hands, or whether they had been taught it.
Giving the paw for food, in my humble opinion, encourages a dog to beg and/or try to get it’s own way. It will be confused if you do not always give food, especially if it is your food and can sabotage training if on some occasions it gets a treat and at other times not. It is cute BUT not when you have children eating and the dog suddenly comes up and starts pawing.
We’re discouraging the paw for food, I think it’s nice for George to shake hands as part of a positive interaction with people but for greetings and fuss rewards.
Thhis is starting to become an issue for us… Ive taken Chels to work twice and the kids fed her, she now thinkings begging to the go, last night she nearly went psychotic as i had a buisuit in bed…
I have her treats in my pocket and she started the paw thing but soon droped it…. the constant begging though is what I need to work on now (ta kidss)
I didnt let Chels shake hands due to her potential size but it seems to be the trick all the kids want to teach her so Ive let them do that….
Poodles (standards anyhow) are very “pawy” not just for food-all the time. All fine and good except-a big old paw on a kid-or if I’m sitting, in my face-not good. I solved it by teaching her-”give me 5″. Then she gives the paw. she does” give me 5 more”-the other paw. If she starts to give me the paw I kinda growl at her and say “put it down”. Now she hardly ever paws. I can see her thinking about it, and I may go ahead and give the command for it. Seems to have worked pretty good.
Jamie
sunny,Scooter & jamies last blog post..I have everything under control-of course!