Doesn't Like Having His Front Paws Touched???

GSKnight · 12-31-2011, 08:01 AM

I just noticed this recently...

Viktor doesn't like having his front paws touched. He pulls back, tucks them, and will get up and leave. The back ones are fine. I don't see any type of injury. He doesn't seem to be in any pain...

Any thoughts?

Courtney · 12-31-2011, 08:02 AM

Were you ever able to touch his front paws or does he all of a sudden not want them touched?

GSKnight · 12-31-2011, 08:07 AM

I have only had him 2.5 months... thinking back, I am going to say he has always been a bit skittished about his paws in that time.

Courtney · 12-31-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSKnight

I have only had him 2.5 months... thinking back, I am going to say he has always been a bit skittished about his paws in that time.

Ok, can you maybe start a "game" with him offering a paw for a treat? When you are able to hold his paw gently rub/pet it to show this is a good experience and of course alot of praise for him offering a paw.

GSKnight · 12-31-2011, 08:20 AM

He's never had a problem "giving paw" for a treat... more like he doesn't want them examined. (if that makes sense?) I really noticed it when I wanted to look at this nails to see if they should be trimmed.

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 12-31-2011, 08:42 AM

A lot of dogs don't like their feet handled from what I have seen. From fidgeting to annoyance to mouthing to saying all right, we're going to have a go-around about this. This was always one of the things about the CGC that I was actually concerned with.

Do the desensitization slowly and you should note a change in a few months. He may never love it, but become more okay with the feet thing.

I use an empty (but still enjoyable to a dog so there's some in there) peanut butter jar as a good distraction while I work on their feet, as needed.

Davey Benson · 12-31-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

...
Do the desensitization slowly and you should note a change in a few months. He may never love it, but become more okay with the feet thing.

...

Good advice, I keep my dogs used to me messing around with them by doing it regularly for no reason at all. I work it into my down time, like when I'm watching tv or something, I will just mess around with their feet, toes, pull up their lips, look at their gums, pull up ears and inspect (don't have to pull up GSD ears, LOL) play with their tails, etc. That way when I do have to do something like inspect for an injured pad, they are used to me doing that sort of thing. Nothing is worse than having to wrestle around with a 100+ lb dog.

Courtney · 12-31-2011, 09:22 AM

I like the idea of a peanut butter jar as a distraction and agree this is not a overnight fix & will take some time.

It really makes things alot easier when they tolerate us touching/inspecting feet. We have on two occasions had to treat injured foot pads. Once on a hiking trail he got a small stick wedged in his foot we were able to put him in a down lay on his side and treat his foot the other he rubbed the skin off of several foot pads...very painful for him but again we were able to treat over several days.

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 12-31-2011, 09:38 AM

I agree with both of you above - that goofing around with them really helps. Making it a no big deal, enjoyable thing, watching their expressions and body language to make sure they are with you on that.

And it's interesting to get adult dogs who are not used to people paying attention to them, never mind messing with them! They think you're nuts.

I have a very "formal" dog who is smaller, Napolean-like and I have to do this with respect for him, except I have found if I say eeeeeeeeeeeee and make my fingers wiggle at him first like a villain, he becomes very playful and then I can check him out while we play getcha. But if I try to do it like an exam, he is deeply offended by my inappropriateness.

GSKnight · 12-31-2011, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. Glad to see it is not anything unusual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

A lot of dogs don't like their feet handled from what I have seen. From fidgeting to annoyance to mouthing to saying all right, we're going to have a go-around about this.

WOW... he hasn't shown any aggression over it but I haven't really pushed him on it either... any sign of that will be dealt with swiftly and sternly.

12-31-2011, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	Doesn't Like Having His Front Paws Touched??? I just noticed this recently... Viktor doesn't like having his front paws touched. He pulls back, tucks them, and will get up and leave. The back ones are fine. I don't see any type of injury. He doesn't seem to be in any pain... Any thoughts? __________________ Greg Knight Viktor: 3 year old (DOB: 8/31/2008) GSD rescued 10/15/2011 Everyday, we get closer

12-31-2011, 08:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	I have only had him 2.5 months... thinking back, I am going to say he has always been a bit skittished about his paws in that time. __________________ Greg Knight Viktor: 3 year old (DOB: 8/31/2008) GSD rescued 10/15/2011 Everyday, we get closer

12-31-2011, 08:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	He's never had a problem "giving paw" for a treat... more like he doesn't want them examined. (if that makes sense?) I really noticed it when I wanted to look at this nails to see if they should be trimmed. __________________ Greg Knight Viktor: 3 year old (DOB: 8/31/2008) GSD rescued 10/15/2011 Everyday, we get closer

12-31-2011, 08:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	A lot of dogs don't like their feet handled from what I have seen. From fidgeting to annoyance to mouthing to saying all right, we're going to have a go-around about this. This was always one of the things about the CGC that I was actually concerned with. Do the desensitization slowly and you should note a change in a few months. He may never love it, but become more okay with the feet thing. I use an empty (but still enjoyable to a dog so there's some in there) peanut butter jar as a good distraction while I work on their feet, as needed. __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

12-31-2011, 09:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Courtney Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,922	I like the idea of a peanut butter jar as a distraction and agree this is not a overnight fix & will take some time. It really makes things alot easier when they tolerate us touching/inspecting feet. We have on two occasions had to treat injured foot pads. Once on a hiking trail he got a small stick wedged in his foot we were able to put him in a down lay on his side and treat his foot the other he rubbed the skin off of several foot pads...very painful for him but again we were able to treat over several days. Last edited by Courtney; 12-31-2011 at 09:27 AM.

12-31-2011, 08:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Courtney Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,922	Were you ever able to touch his front paws or does he all of a sudden not want them touched?

12-31-2011, 09:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	I agree with both of you above - that goofing around with them really helps. Making it a no big deal, enjoyable thing, watching their expressions and body language to make sure they are with you on that. And it's interesting to get adult dogs who are not used to people paying attention to them, never mind messing with them! They think you're nuts. I have a very "formal" dog who is smaller, Napolean-like and I have to do this with respect for him, except I have found if I say eeeeeeeeeeeee and make my fingers wiggle at him first like a villain, he becomes very playful and then I can check him out while we play getcha. But if I try to do it like an exam, he is deeply offended by my inappropriateness. __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

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