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.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Wally

    Jan 25, 22 03:55 PM

    Wally, a rescue, came to us in September 2011. The story is that he was picked up in Wisconsin, wandering, and never claimed. He ended up at GPCSO.

    Read More

  2. Courtesy Posting - Noah

    Jan 23, 22 11:59 AM

    *ADOPTED* About Available - Noah Adoption Fee: $450 English Setter / Pyr mix DOB: March 2021 Location: Texas at present but he will be moving (see

    Read More

  3. Scared of everything

    Jan 22, 22 09:29 AM

    We adopted a Anatolian Pyrenees (Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees) at 12 weeks old. She is totally afraid of everything. We've tried everything we know

    Read More

  4. Guarding Instinct?

    Jan 22, 22 09:17 AM

    My Great Pyr will not come inside any building I am working in on the farm unless I have company. If I am in the barn or machine shed, no matter how cold

    Read More

  5. Courtesy Posting - Luna

    Jan 14, 22 03:12 PM

    D.O.B. May 06, 2019 Location: Ottawa Due to her size, children over 12 only. This big white fluffy mix is good with children, and other animals including

    Read More

  6. Shelby

    Jan 08, 22 09:43 AM

    *ADOPTED* This girl has found a new home with canine companions and a family who loves her to bits. D.O.B. December 11, 2015 Shelby is a big white fluffy

    Read More

  7. Rolling

    Dec 20, 21 05:29 PM

    Why do they roll onto their backs (all the time). Thanks.

    Read More

  8. Buddy

    Dec 20, 21 09:50 AM

    *ADOPTION PENDING* DOB: November 15, 2018 Located in Erin, ON A farmer asked a good neighbour for some help to get sweet Buddy rehomed to a good and

    Read More