Help with a problem

While I don't have a quick fix to tell you how to stop the problem, I can tell you what you are doing that you shouldn't be.  NO does not tell this pup what you WANT him to do, stop popping his paw and stop trying to hold it down.  Keep his nails cut good and short and it'll hurt less until you are able to get this behavior under control.  I'm sure some of our trainers will be along with some ideas soon.

Why is he so close to you when he sits? Try delivering the sit command from a standing upright position. I think this pup just sounds confused about what you're asking him to do. Do not reward the sit unless it's done correctly with all four on the floor. I'd suggest clicker training for this problem, as it will help you be more precise and help the dog learn *exactly* what to do when you ask him to sit. If you don't want to use a clicker for some reason, try having him on a leash. Step on the leash so that it's just long enough for him to stand and sit but not to jump or move closer and paw you. Then proceed with the training session.

OK, let me be more specific.  After he sits, when anyone tries to reach down to pet him, he reaches up and tries to claw.  He sits just fine; the feet don't come up until you try to pet him.  That happens if you lean over, crouch down, or sit on the couch and let him sit at your feet.  As soon as the hand comes down to rub the head, he tries to pet you!  I think he's about ready to be neutered; I'm hoping that will help calm him down.  He's not hyper (any more than any other 5 month puppy), but this scratching thing just has ME scratching my head.  I guess I have to research clicker training because I know NOTHING about it.  The "No" thing makes since, that's why I tried the "shake" command.  Nothing.  I'm just at a loss, this is such a weird habit he has!  Thanks for the comments, and please feel free to jump in with more suggestions!!!

That is funny. I have a 1 year old Yorkie-poo that does the same thing. Now he is small so it probably doesn't hurt as much! But every time you bend down to give him a kiss (Yes, I kiss my little baby every day before I leave for work), or if he is sitting on the couch or if you are playing on the ground with him, he will paw you in the face. It really hurts, he has actually scratched my eye once. But I think that it is his own way of trying to be cute. I don't know..... it is a funny trait!

Ah, okay... well, I still recommend clicker training, but this is a different problem than first posed. He's misinterpreting your gesture, I think. A lot of dogs view a human reaching over their head as an aggressive or dominance-asserting act and can respond defensively... though I'm no behaviorist, I'd venture to guess that your pup thinks you're initiating some kind of wrestling match (albeit playful). If you watch dogs play, you'll notice many of them initiate a play wrestle in exactly this way - by pawing playfully at another dog's head and shoulders. Next time you pet him try reaching under his head and scritching gently under his neck and on his chest - have everyone stop reaching over his head altogether and see if there's any improvement.

Thanks, we'll try that!