Sunday 15 July 2012

Why does my dog paw me?

By Karen A. Soukiasian
Because you probably don’t speak dog, the best way to learn what your puppy or dog is trying to tell you is to learn dog.
Pawing is a natural and inherent way to for our puppy or dog to get us to "focus" on them so that they can relay a message.
Pawing is a natural and inherent way to for our puppy or dog to get us to "focus" on them so that they can relay a message.
Most new, inexperienced dog owners do not realize dog is a simple language to learn. Once you learn it, you understand your pet is communicating volumes of information by their doggie sign and body languages.
Pawing is one of the most common complaints by dog owners. Weary owners, usually of new puppies or demanding, and usually incredibly spoiled dogs, often say they are being shred to ribbons by their pet’s sharp nails, and they don’t know what to do about it.
Learn to understand what your dog is telling you
There are a number of reasons why our canine friends paw us. All are signals of communication…we just have to know dog, so we know what they are trying to tell us.
Pawing is a natural and inherent way to for our puppy or dog to get us to “focus” on them so that they can relay a message. This could be a good thing, or an annoying habit.
Pawing communicates, “Hey you up there, it’s me down here. I want your attention, and I want it NOW!”
When we constantly give attention each time they demand it, we create a behavioral issue. By knowing when, where, and how often to respond or ignore, we curtail their demand before it becomes a relentless problem that requires behavior modification.
Pawing is the universal doggie sign, “Hey you! I want to play! Do you wanna play with me?” Since your puppy or dog doesn’t know you don’t speak dog fluently, they will usually be persistent and keep pawing until they get any sort of reaction from you.
Have you ever watched puppies or dogs interact together, where one usually initiates the start of playing, by pawing the ground or pawing at the other animal? If the second dog is interested, they often respond in kind, by pawing. The message is now crystal clear to both of them…”Let the games begin!”
Pawing could also be your puppy or dog’s way of telling you, “I need some consoling and reassuring. I’m sorry for what I did. Please forgive me.” In simple dog, it’s their way of letting another dog know, “OK, you’re the boss, and I am being submissive.”
Bottom line: Observe your pet’s sign and body language. Learn dog so you can better understand what your puppy or dog is trying to tell you. That way you can control the behavior before it becomes a serious behavioral problem.
Your dog will be so impressed, that you are as bilingual as you expect them to be.
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