Uses Paws Like Hands

[ElsasFamily]

When talking to other Rottweiler owners most of them agree that the Rott will use its front paws like hands.

When Elsa is playing with a beloved toy she will roll on her back and take the toy between her two front paws and play, and admire it. I find it adorable. But on the other side of this behavior, which is unacceptable doggy behavior, she puts her paws on humans. An example would be, I'm sitting down and call her to me. She comes excitedly and sits immediately. But after she sits she will put a paw on my hand or leg. I tell her "Off" in a stern voice and she will comply. I've been told that this is a Rottweiler trait. Or is it simply dog behavior, does anyone else have this issue?

Thanks
~Kim

[autumn]

Same thing here. If Zoe want's something she will paw at me. I have always thought it was cute and never corrected her. Sometimes though she really digs and her nails hurt! No harm though. My other Rott Jake used to come over and offer his pay to shake at every opportunity

[AMoJoLover]

I'm a new rott owner and my dog does this too!! I thought it was really strange at first, but after a while, like autumn, I thought it was really cute.(and still do)
I thought she might stop after we taught her how to shake, but she still does it at every chance.
Whats funny, is that sometimes she will be at the end of the couch and I will be sitting on it, and lean over to give her some love, and she does it. Like...."I have a question!!" :) Its a sight to see....
kind of pawing.

[Judi W]

You will notice those that have been privileged to keep their front dew claws are even more adept with using their feet in a useful manner beyond walking on them.

[ElsasFamily]

Yes I was just told about a female who uses hers to catch tennis balls. That is amazing.

[StephanieandToby]

Toby's feet were splayed and in turn his toes were quite webbed. He swam like a fish and had excellent dexterity.
He also used to "cuff" me with his paw and leave great nail tracks down my pants.

[craftylady]

Well I hate to admit it buy Sativa High 5's me and shakes and ofcourse she is so spoiled she paws when she is close....If I tell her no....(sometimes she is a bit demanding and ruff) she immediately quits but I have had a couple of marks from her...so cute yes..bad probably....I just make sure I keep her nails trimmed! lol

[valskinner]

HI I HAVE HAD ROTTWEILERS FOR OVER 12 YEARS AND I WOULD SAY IT IS A ROTTIE THING. RIGHT NOW I HAVE TWO MALES AND ONE FEMALE MY OLDEST MALE " DAGGS IS LIKE A BOXER WITH HIS FRONT PAWS ALWAYS USING THEM TO GET YOUR ATTENTION A BEHAVIOR I FELL HE PICKED UP FROM MY FEMALE TANK GIRL WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR DO TO BONE CANCER BUT THATS A WHOLE DIFFERANT STORY. i have found if you refrain from teaching your dog to give you their paw it is a little easier to deal with.VILLAIN MY OTHER MALE IS VERY HUMAN LIKE WITH HIS PAWS HE ALSO HAS HIS FRONT DEW CLAWS I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS HANDY PAWS BUT IT SEEMS TO. GOOD LUCK VALSKINNER

[observer]

It's a Rottie thing. And, I admit I don't discourage it. Just tonight, I was sitting on the floor with Missy and she cuddled up next to me, rested her head on my leg, and then sort of wrapped her right front paw around my knee and held it there. Sure makes you feel loved.....

[Jango]

They use their paws in amazing ways!!!!! Last night Jango pushed one of his toys under a foot rest. He hooked his front paw around one of the legs until he pulled out far enough to get his toy......Of course then he looked at me with that "So you going to put the foot rest back or what?" looks.

[StephanieandToby]

Well....I woke up one night and couldn't find Toby....I heard a noise out front and ran out just in time to see that darn dog clutching the keys to my van!! He mumbled something about going to the Video arcade...can't remember...I was half asleep.

[scooterjohansen]

Originally Posted by StephanieandToby

Well....I woke up one night and couldn't find Toby....I heard a noise out front and ran out just in time to see that darn dog clutching the keys to my van!! He mumbled something about going to the Video arcade...can't remember...I was half asleep.

You are a scream. Our boy did the same thing keys in one hand and a beer in the other. He knows how I feel about letting him the drive the car while he is drinking beer.... But he likes to push the boundries.

[alex221]

I think it's just a dog thing. My apbt does it as well, and Judi is right, it's the dewclaw that does the most gripping. And it also does the most damage when it lands on a leg or arm. My Rottie Alex didn't have his dewclaws and I don't remember ever getting scratched as much by him. As cute as it is, I'm trying to discourage it, my legs are beat to hell. It will be easier when 'shorts season' is over.

[mook1620]

Mook has only recently started doing it...right around the time DD taught him the "gimme your paw" trick So now, he'll sit right in front of us, everytime he wants a biscuit (which is all day) and try to give us his paw.

[Denise L.]

Cyrus makes good use of his paws too...the best is when he wants a toy that's floating in our friend's pool. He will paw and paddle the water from the edge of the pool until it floats close enough to grab

I broke him of pawing me/people a while ago but if he wants more pets he will kind of wave his paw in the air.

They are characters aren't they?