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My dog Nanners, (I include her picture because she's so cute) since the day I met her at the soon to be abandoned home where she was living, has done something no dog of mine has ever done. Hence, my curiosity as to why she does it.
She'll sit by someone, then pick up one of her front paws, as if she'd been given the "shake" command. Then she'll sit there for minutes at a time with her paw in that position, holding it perfectly still while staring intently at her target human. The thing is, she's never been taught to shake. There's no response from her when that command is given.
It's not a pain issue, as her gait is normal and vigorous and not indicative of foot/leg issues, especially when she takes off after rabbits.
Any clues as to why she's doing it, or is it just a Nannersism?
(She's wearing the e-collar and vet wrap because I had to have some growths from between her "toes" removed back in late 2007)
i suspect that she somehow figured out that this is a good way to get attention from the humans..... it works, doesn't it??
bailey and dave walk up to me and put one paw in my lap when they want attention.... now to be fair, bailey has been taught to shake.... but dave hasn't (as far as i know) and he has been doing this since the day i brought him home......
and what a sweet / sad picture of nanners..... i feel so bad for them when they have to wear those ridiculous collars, even though i know it is helping them......
Putting a leg/paw on another dog is a sign of dominance or play, depending on the circumstances. Maybe she wants to play? Or is thinking about making a bid to be top dog? hehehe.
She never puts it on anyone. She just sits there with it raised. This is the only dog I've had who has NEVER made a bid for the alpha... but she's the only non-Doberman I've had in 25 years, so that makes sense. Dobes love to test their masters.
Forgot to address this. She's not playful with humans, and only mildly so with other dogs. She's content to sit on someone's foot or lean against them. When I throw a frisbee or ball for her, she seldom goes after them. She usually stares at it, then stares at me as if she's saying "yeah, sure, uh-huh."
I have 4 dogs, all raised by me from puppies, and they all have these quirks that they couldn't haven't learned from me, the other dogs, it's mother, or littermates and it makes me ponder the mysteries of simple instinct of the animal.
Oh well, maybe it's a comfotable position? You know, how like they sleep on their backs, with their heads hanging down in what looks like an awkward position? Who knows what goes on in the minds of dogs?
My dog Nanners, (I include her picture because she's so cute) since the day I met her at the soon to be abandoned home where she was living, has done something no dog of mine has ever done. Hence, my curiosity as to why she does it.
She'll sit by someone, then pick up one of her front paws, as if she'd been given the "shake" command. Then she'll sit there for minutes at a time with her paw in that position, holding it perfectly still while staring intently at her target human. The thing is, she's never been taught to shake. There's no response from her when that command is given.
It's not a pain issue, as her gait is normal and vigorous and not indicative of foot/leg issues, especially when she takes off after rabbits.
Any clues as to why she's doing it, or is it just a Nannersism?
(She's wearing the e-collar and vet wrap because I had to have some growths from between her "toes" removed back in late 2007)
I agree that it could be that she has learned that mannerism = getting attention....or it could just be a "Nannersism" and part of her unique personality. Either way you've got a very, very cute girl there! The look in her eyes drills right to one's soul!
I remember hearing on a dog-related show on Animal Planet (can't remember which one - and its been several years!!!) that when a dog picks his paw up and looks at you, it means that he wants something.
Tonka will do that when he's hungry or thirsty. He will come over to wherever I am, plop himself down in my line of vision, and lift a paw, and stay that way. Maybe that's his way of training me to go get him something to eat or drink (!!).
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The look in her eyes drills right to one's soul!
