How to Stop Your Dog from Pawing at Things
Pet parents understand the struggle of a pawing dog; whether they paw at the door to go outside or at you for attention, it’s an annoying habit. Our dog’s nails can be sharp, leaving scratches on walls or our legs; however, we can re-teach Fido to not further these behaviors in the new year! Use this article to guide understanding the pawing, ignoring it, and re-teaching a new habit with rewards!
Understanding the Habit
According to an article from the American Kennel Club, a veterinarian expert explained that behaviors are dogs’ way of communication. Our pets paw at us when they need something or if they know that’s how to get what they want. Moreover, dogs continue this behavior after it works the first time, like “If I paw at the door, I know my human will get up to let me out.” So, pet parents must evaluate their automatic responses to these pawing commands and break the habit.
Ignoring the Behavior
When your pet does the pawing command, the best way to hinder this behavior is by ignoring or re-teaching. By neglecting their pawing, they will learn that their behavior is ineffective and will lessen the frequency. Re-directing your pet with a toy is more of a reward for the bad behavior, whereas ignoring leads them to think the action isn’t as decisive as they believe. If your pet is pawing at you, ignore the paw until they stop, then follow through with whatever activity they want. Likewise, another option is to leave the room altogether until the habit is broken.
Re-Teach & Reward Your Pup
If your pet paws for attention, re-teach them by petting them when they don’t paw at you. If they paw for potty time or food, follow the same guidelines as before to break the cycle. Instead, you can teach them to use backyard bells or to stand by the door if they want to go outside.
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