Using his paws.

[Ben Curtis]

Leo is my first Cane Corso, and I keep noticing traits in him that are different than any other dog I own. The latest thing is his use of his paws. Leo does not jump up on anyone. People are amazed that a puppy does not jump up on them. He does however love to chew his toys on our laps, and when he does this, you usually get a paw in your lap also. If it becomes any type of tugging game, he will put his big meaty paw on your arm.

I've owned mostly labs and none of them ever did this. Is this something common to Corsos or is it just my Leo? Also what would you recommend to stop this? I don't mind so much when we are tugging, but the paw on your lap is unacceptable especially with mud season on it's way.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I think it may be a Mastiff thing rather than A CC thing. Ruger uses his paws much more like hands than any other breed I have ever known. I, personally, have no issues with paws in my lap or the use of his paws when we are playing. I did have to teach him that it wasn't ok to "slap" people when he was excited. I am not sure how you would teach a dog not to put thier paws in your lap, especially if he is using his paws to assist him with chewing his toys.

 

[Jadotha]

I agree with Kris -- we noticed this trait of using paws like hands straight away with Boris. He has remarkable dexterity!

We've had paw in the lap with bone, as well; and as Boris has grown it has become really uncomfortable! What worked for us was to back him up a bit and hold the bone for him to chew for awhile. If he started to play tug of war, we told him "no" and dropped the bone. If he picked it up and put it back in our lap we backed him up and held it. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Cody]

Aurora loves to hold hands. As does her half sister, her litter mates and her mom. Actually at times is more of a slap to get your attention then a hand holding lmao. Yes, is part of their subtle dominance and constant need for attention, but is also in part their need to constantly be touching you lol. She knows when at therapy she is not allowed to do it, as her pads and nails could hurt scare the kids. However with new people if she thinks she can get away with it she does it She is pushy that way.

 

[Russ Williams]

Hank always has his paws involved in play. He has punched me in the nose a couple of times. When he is playing with our other dog (Rat Terrier) he will sometimes box her, kind of like a cat does with his front paws. He will also move the other dog with his paws when he wants his way. I have also seen hank wrap his front legs around one of the kids, like he is hugging them or pulling them close. He is very "handsy" . Luckily he has nearly instant recall if it is perceived he is being a bit too rough.

 

[Smokeycat]

Kryten uses his paws all the time too. He does the paw on the arm or Jiggers face when playing tug. His problem is if he can see something under something he thinks his monster feet can still fit. It's interesting watching him try to get something the cats batted under a table and then couldn't get back out.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

LOL. Ruger does the same thing. He has knocked many a furniture item over trying to "reach" under and grab stuff. If he can't fit and can't knock it over, he will howl at it until I come to help him get it.

Kryten uses his paws all the time too. He does the paw on the arm or Jiggers face when playing tug. His problem is if he can see something under something he thinks his monster feet can still fit. It's interesting watching him try to get something the cats batted under a table and then couldn't get back out.

 

[Ben Curtis]

Leo will wine incessantly if something he wants is under the coach. Luckily he has not learned he probably can just push it out of the way.

He really does use his paws like hands. Many of nylons have met there demise from this.

Are you all just letting it go, or do you try and curb this behavior. If so, how do you do it.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I just leave it alone. Other than when he was a puppy (He was SLAPPING people in the face) when I made him stop that behavior.

 

[Smokeycat]

LOL. Ruger does the same thing. He has knocked many a furniture item over trying to "reach" under and grab stuff. If he can't fit and can't knock it over, he will howl at it until I come to help him get it.

Kryten will either lay down and mope while looking at it or come over to me sighing and glancing over at it. If he can have it I'll help him if it is a cat toy he's SOL. At which point he may try to convince Jiggers to try and get it out so that he can steal it.

 

[DennasMom]

I can see two ways to get the dog to stop putting his paw in your lap:
1. Paw comes up, "no"... and all play/interaction stops, if necessary, stand up and leave the room.
2. Paw comes up... "thank you for the paw" - grab it and don't let go! When it's obviously uncomfortable for the dog, let go and act as if nothing happened.

The 2nd methods is sometimes used to get dogs to stop jumping on people... with mixed results.

Denna normally just needs a 'no' reminder (with the end of all things fun) - twice - and she'll give up a behavior.

 

[Ben Curtis]

I can see two ways to get the dog to stop putting his paw in your lap:
1. Paw comes up, "no"... and all play/interaction stops, if necessary, stand up and leave the room.
2. Paw comes up... "thank you for the paw" - grab it and don't let go! When it's obviously uncomfortable for the dog, let go and act as if nothing happened.

The 2nd methods is sometimes used to get dogs to stop jumping on people... with mixed results.


Denna normally just needs a 'no' reminder (with the end of all things fun) - twice - and she'll give up a behavior.

You exactly described what we are currently doing. It somewhat seems to be working, but he is so damn stubborn, and he seems to be doing it more out of instinct than anything else. The 2nd method I have only been trying for a few days, so it is too early to see if it is working or not.

 

[Tunride]

I get that "slap", on my arm, to go out side. EM paws are big at 20 months! Mastiff have hands and use them to their fullest advantage.

 

[thelady_v2010]

Mine uses his paws to pull his blanket out of his kennel. It is the weirdest thing I have ever seen!

 

[m0rg4n]

Other than grabbing and making the pup uncomfortable, how did you teach your pups not to slap people?

 

[musicdeb]

Titan uses his paws like hands. When we are playing with his stuffed animal, he will put his paw on my arm so he can grab the toy.

 

[HappyHound]

Paws like hands! Yes! My CC does that too. I think he's just envious of my opposable thumb

I was told it's a dominance thing, so my puppy isn't allowed to do that. It doesn't seem to have scarred him mentally at all

He does however have a thing for chewing his toys on ppl's laps, which is another dominance thing, but it's cute and he knows when he can get away with it- he really does pick his victims. If I'm late to wake he brings his favourite chew toy over to my bed and drops in on my mattress in front of my face.

If that doesn't work he'll drop it on the floor, pick it up and put it back on the mattress for another minute- he'll do it repeatedly until it either rolls under the bed where he can't get it, or I wake up

 

[cookiedough39]

Mastiffs are more of a guardian breed. They are a lot less trusting than other breeds. My 12 week old CC won't even get close to somebody she does not know unless she looks at me and I am ok with it. Hell I can let somebody in my door and all she will do is sit between me and my guest and smell them for maybe 5 minutes. After that it's ok for them to rub and play with her.

 

[Sophie's owners]

Hey Ben
Paws like hands never ! Ya right !!! It's amazing reading everyone's posts and knowing we are all dealing with the same paws coming at us . Lol . I sure learned quick to duck and weave it only took one fat lip. All kidding aside it really is amazing the way cane's use their paws in so many different ways.