MattB Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 This is just out of interest as someone told me that adult dogs use their paws less than puppies for holding things etc. Six months ago we got an ex-racer - Charlie - he's quite dexterous and uses his paws to hold chews, drag toys and get attention by waving or hitting us with his paws if we're within reach. Sometimes he even likes us to hold his paws. A couple of weeks ago we got another ex-racer - Daisy - she's much shier but we've also noticed she doesn't use her paws at all, if there's a chew on the floor she'll pull it towards her with her mouth and look a bit clumsy as she doesn't control it like Charlie does. I can't even remember if Charlie used his paws when we first got him or if it's something he developed but just wonder what other people's experiences and thoughts on this matter were? all the best, Matt, Chaz and Miss D x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Interesting subject! My boy doesn't use his paws as much as our shepherd cross to manipulate things but will hold a bone in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Some do and some don't! I wouldn't be surprised if Daisy develops into using her paws, as she learns that she can and uses them more. And also sees Charlie using his - they do learn by watching. Mine all use their paws a LOT! So much so, that I often wonder if there is some Boxer mixed in somewhere back in the Greyhound line. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Sweep sounds like Charlie. She uses her paws to hold bigger treats, to pull her Kong back toward her if it rolls away while she's working on it, to grip stuffies, and--most often--to demand more petting. I've also taught her to "shake" though that's a pretty useless command! Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wasserbuffel Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 My Jayne is like yours. Very apt to use her paw. She's actually even developed her own hand (paw?) sign to signal that she wants us to continue petting her by swiping her paw across her face. It wasn't a behavior we trained, more that she trained us to respond to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chickenpotpie Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Like Jayne, Lucky uses her paws a lot not only using them like hands but to grab her momma by the pantleg when she's being ignored...the stinker I've taught her how to "hide" by putting her paws over her eyes. OP I think your girl will come into her own, and having a brother to show her how its done certainly helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Paw user here. In fact, I see her use her dew claws on purpose, too. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerilyn Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I have noticed that Lila does not used her paws as much as other dogs. She uses them to hold a chew and she’s got the paw-whap or wave for more petting down to a fine art, but that’s about all. She does not seem to know that she can use her paws to pull something closer to her or to move an object. She does however, like to “hold hands” and will reach out and put a paw on me if I’m nearby. Quote Jerilyn, missing Lila (Good Looking), new Mistress to Wiki (PJ Wicked). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedlenoseJake Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 (edited) Jake does a lot of these things, and he also uses his paw to knock my phone or tablet out of my hand if I stop petting him. Little brat! I can't decide if he knows I'm paying more attention to the device or if he is just hitting me and it contacts my hand. Either way, it is annoying! Edited November 14, 2014 by NeedlenoseJake Quote Photographer in Phoenix, AZ www.northmountainphoto.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jetska Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I've had Barbie for 5 years with a mastiff x who uses his paws very well. she has picked up a bit from him but she still rarely holds on to chewies with her paws..... looks awkward but she manages to chew them fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 My dogs use their paws, but not always elegantly since they don't have dewclaws. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OhCatastrophe Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Cleo was a bit clumsy at first too.. I tried helping her by showing her how to and positioning her paws... it actually seemed to work haha Now she uses them a lot! Ill throw her stuffies in the air and she'll take them down with both her paws hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shanesmom Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 My bridge angel Elton used his paws all the time. Ace does not. I guess they're all different? Here is Elton holding onto a treat. I gave one to Ace and he only used his mouth even flipping it in the air to get a better grip but only with his mouth and teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreytTerp Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 When we first brought Marvin home, he didn't know how to use his paws at all. He really wanted to try out his chew toys and get everything out of his kong, but he just couldn't figure out how to use his paws to hold and position his prize (we were laughing and taking pictures instead of helping...). Now, he's a pro and it's more laziness than a lack of skill for him to not use his paws while tackling a bone or his antler. He's always been a dog to reach out and put his paw over my foot or ankle if I'm standing near him while he's stretched out on the floor. I'm sure Daisy will learn everything she needs to know from Charlie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Paige, Benny and Hermon all use their paws, thoiugh Paige most of all. She uses them to drag toys and food closer, hold them as she chews, she grabs our hands with her paws when we're patting or playing with her to pull them closer, bangs on me when I'm in bed and she wants to wake me up. I've also seen her use her paw to tile half a clam shell pool towards her to make the water caught in the lip run towards her so she can have a drink without having to move (that was also a demonstration of quite frightening problem solving intelligence). When hunting she uses them for digging, obviously, but also to remove sticks and place them to one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dancer Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Checker uses his paws to dig huge holes in the back yard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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