Dog Community

Staffie Pawing me...

Posted : 7/6/2006 9:22:55 AM

It isn't a problem, but my Staffie whom i just adopted likes to put her paw on my leg if i'm not petting her, and if she's on my lap, she will paw towards my face and occasionally gets me... i think she is just trying to make sure i pet her, but i want to see if anyone else has this experience with a dog...

Basset_girl

Posted : 7/6/2006 10:58:51 AM

My lab does that when you ignore her and she wants to be petted, she never paws at faces, but she's not exacty a lap dog either

forpaws

Posted : 7/6/2006 11:04:51 AM

Yes, I have also. However, I put a stop to that behavior cause even tho it doesn't bother me at all, but know it would bother visitors, friends and family that came over to the house and my dog pawed at their face to get attention. Up to you if you want to change that or not. I had too with one of mine, cause at 70 + lbs, that's gonna hurt... lol

Xerxes

Posted : 7/6/2006 11:12:14 AM

forpaws: How did you stop the behavior? I'm going through a phase with Xerxes that he's doing the same thing. The only difference is that his long legs can hit my face every time (ouch!)

forpaws

Posted : 7/6/2006 11:41:15 AM

I would ignore the behavior by folding in my arms, tucking in my hands under my pits and looking away. All the while I kept getting a heavy paw at my leg or arm. The behavior may escallate to another annoying responce but just ignore it. When they do stop the unwanted behavior, Treat and paise like crazy. If I were standing up and the paw's were beating my legs, I would dodge out of the way still not looking or acknowledging the dog until they stopped completely. Treat/praise. I also used the clicker training method with them. [linkhttp://www.clickertraining.com]www.clickertraining.com[/link] Wonderful information on how too.
At one point I even left the room completely with no access for them to follow me or come near me, until they settled down and gave up. Same principle, treat n praise.
That's how I did it.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/6/2006 4:24:02 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!

Mark

Posted : 7/9/2006 7:57:42 PM

my 80 lb 10 month old wolf just started this behaviaor too...only when he wants attention..(i am kind of happy he is doing this to me and getting over his shyness toward me)however,his fore arms are THICK and he is powerfull...raked me good the other night and i have a 6 inch bloody cut from wrist to forearm..would hate to see him do this to a face...i have been taking his paw in my hand and lightly pinching his webbing near where his toes come together...it doesnt hurt,but he is getting the message..

tashakota

Posted : 7/12/2006 11:36:40 AM

Tasha will do this to me, put a paw over my arm or leg or whatever. It can be a submissive gesture, I read once. But it's definitely a request for attention. I ignore her or tell her no. Once all 4 feet are on the ground, I will pet her but not if she's put her paw on me.

spiritdogs

Posted : 7/15/2006 2:54:37 PM

i have been taking his paw in my hand and lightly pinching his webbing near where his toes come together

I really don't think this is a good idea. Aggression, even mild aggression, may get you in trouble when he gets to the age of social maturity and decides he doesn't want you doing that any more. There are way better ways to deal with this problem.
Is your "wolf" part dog, and if so what percent? If not, what the heck are you doing trying to make a pet out of a wolf?

glenmar

Posted : 7/15/2006 7:53:38 PM

I totally agree with Anne....and if his toenails are THAT long, they need to be trimmed.

Therese Fish

Posted : 7/15/2006 8:22:05 PM

She doesn't mean to harm you of course, but it does hurt. My German shepherd also does that. But she's gotten much better about 'pawing' our face. We say "be gentle" or "take it easy" in a sweet & soft voice moving her paw away from our face simultaniously.