Pawing .. promoting gentle, please

by Betsey
(Crestone, CO)

I love that my 2 Pyr pups say hello and get my attention by pawing ... but, holy smokes! At almost 5 months old, these 2 have strong paws and I am getting pretty scratched up. They paw indiscriminately, so if I happen to be lounging, my face gets pawed, my head, bare arms. How can I teach “gentle” or at least not reject their hello but without injury to myself (and, potentially others).

Comments for Pawing .. promoting gentle, please

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 12, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pawing
by: Donna

What are you doing when the dog paws at you? They want your attention. Are you petting him? Are you telling him no? This would reinforce the behaviour. You stop all your movement until he stops pawing. Once they stop, you can then reward them either through tug or a treat.

Dogs do what is reinforcing. Create a world of what you want your dog to do instead of what you don't want him to do. Do Land.

Wait for there to be four paws on the floor. Reward that. Do NOT show the dog the cookies beforehand (this is luring). You want the dog to make the right decision through shaping so he gets the cookies once he gives you the wanted behaviour.

Make sure you give your dogs at least two hours of exercise a day. Plus any training you do with them.

Here is an intentional game to play with your dogs called It's Yer Choice.

You can join the It's YerChoice summit.

I hope this helps.
Feb 13, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pawing
by: Donna

Here is some more information for you:

One thing many people miss is to catch the dog being good and rewarding the good before the attention seeking starts.

Here are two podcasts that will get you going on this, as well.

The Thing Before the Thing

Behaviour Chains: Are You Teaching Your Dog to be Bad to be Good?

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

Show / Hide
CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE

Breaking News

RSS

  1. Courtesy - Tux

    Apr 27, 25 08:30 AM

    *Unknown* DOB: December 3, 2022 Location: Mulmur, Ontario Breed: Pyr x Great Dane Single family home where he will be part of an active family. A

    Read More

  2. Courtesy - Bear

    Apr 09, 25 09:09 AM

    Bear DOB:  October 2018 Location:  Midland, Ontario Pyr/Maremma? mix Single family home with a large securely-fenced property or a hobby farm. Purchased/adopted

    Read More

  3. Courtesy Post - Willow

    Apr 09, 25 09:07 AM

    DOB: March 26th, 2022 Location: London Ontario Cross Pyr/Collie Obtained her privately through a friend. How long have you had her? 10 months Spayed

    Read More

  4. Lucy

    Apr 09, 25 09:06 AM

    *Foster-to-Adopt* or *Foster* DOB: January 3, 2024 Location: Acton, Ontario She will need a single-family home with a securely fenced yard of at least

    Read More

  5. Remi

    Apr 09, 25 07:44 AM

    Location: Acton, Ontario DOB: February 2024 This sweet white fluffy Remi has a sad story. Remi, while his family was in the midst of moving, escaped and

    Read More

  6. Grieving Dog

    Apr 04, 25 06:17 PM

    Background: I am seeking some feedback if anyone has had experience with bonded pairs. Thank you! We have been fortunate to love 2 x almost 10 year

    Read More

  7. Leo

    Mar 12, 25 06:32 AM

    *ADOPTED* DOB: September 2023 (almost 1.5-years-old) Location: Acton, ON Single family home with a securely fenced yard required. This sweetheart was

    Read More

  8. Buster

    Mar 10, 25 03:36 PM

    *Buster is going back to his original family as things have brightened up in their lives and he'll have a wonderful life on acreage.* Buster had to come

    Read More