What's with all the pawing?

[Max'smom]

Maximus will be 6 months old on the 22nd of May and in the past week and a half he has started pawing at me (less with my husband). He'll sit in front of me on the floor when I'm on the couch and paw at my arm or my lap. I don't have anything in my hands or lap. I could see him doing it if I had a toy or food that he wanted. Even when I'm playing with him lately he seems to be doing it a lot. When he was younger, I did teach him the shake trick, but when my trainer said not to do that at that age (cuz most of the time, when you're trying to get them do do a down or even sit, they think all you want is them to shake). We did stop it and he hadn't offered his paw anymore, not until last week.

If I'm playing with him, it's one thing for him to paw at me, (correct me if I am wrong please) but just sitting there, or even petting him, I don't want to be pawed at. His big paws (and nails, though short) hurt. I have given him the "off" command to keep his paws off (and yes I know it takes several times and patience) and put his paws back on the ground. Is this normal behavior for his age? I have noticed that he has a smaller attention span which I'm sure comes with his age and wanting to start being a little independent and see how far he can push and get away with, just like young kids. Anybody else experienced this?

Christina

[Maxxx]

He's pawing at you to get your attention. He knows that if he paws at you, you'll stop what you are doing and play with him, pet him, etc.

I don't know why your trainer would stop you from teaching your pup to shake-a-paw That's the first trick taught in our OB classes. He did give a paw when it wasn't asked for in the beginning, but that just goes unrewarded. Trust me, when it comes to food or no food, they stop pretty quickly from giving you a paw until you ask!

[Max'smom]

90 percent of the time he paws when I'm already playing with him. But that is true, he does always want my attention. I work all day and go to the gym after work and when I come home, I give all my attention to Max for the evening. My other dog, I'm sure gets jealous, but she's older and is happy just laying around watchin us play. My husband gets home before I do and gets to spend time with him. But he (husband) says Max would rather be with me. He follows me around no matter where I go.

I did have a problem for a little while after teaching him the shake trick. When I wanted him to sit or do a down, he would paw at me. Of course he wouldn't be rewarded till he did what I wanted him to do. It took him a good week and a half, maybe two, to stop wanting to give me his paw to shake. He does very well in OB class, his second time through the beginner classes. Everyone there for the first time is very impressed with him. There's a 15 week old female rottie in the class. First class she came in just the way Max came in to first class, pulling to see the other dogs. Boy it seems like just yesterday Max was that age. Time goes by too fast. They grow up too fast.

[QuietDaze]

I believe it's a bid for attention/affection/play. Kane used to paw at me when he was a small puppy and I would just tell him to go away and sit down somewhere because it does hurt with the nail. Also because I learned that you shouldn't give them attention when they demand it. NOW however, he won't obviously paw me but if sitting close he'll paw my foot a little. As I read here 'checking to see if the rules are still in place.'

It's normal as far as I know, it's up to you whether or not you allow it.

[poohbearsmom]

This is a subtly (lol.. or not so subtly) dominant behavior.

Redirect him into a "sit" or "down", then give him a pat on the head for compliance. If you tend to scratch, rub, tickle him to a great extent, you might reconsider this behavior, as he is telling you what he wants and when he wants it, and the little "king" shouldn't be sitting on that high of a throne.