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Subject: Nora, got an odd behavior question...

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SuzieRedhead

Bratty Ratty

09/04/2008 2:40 PM
Mickey uses his paws on the faces and heads of the other dogs. It's almost like he's stroking their faces or something. He does it to me, too. Any idea what it could mean? It doesn't seem to annoy the other dogs, so I assume it's nothing about dominance. It's actually very endearing... until he gets excited and playful and then he gives everybody a left or right hook, and THAT annoys everyone! LOL...

Sue Carello, Scotia, NY (near Albany) Ratbone Rescues Fostermom, etc... www.ratbonerescues.com Fostermom to Oh Mickey (ADOPTED!), Prince and Spring Ratbone Who do YOU GoodSearch/GoodShop for? Go to www.goodsearch.com and type in Ratbone Rescues!

braeli_bryson

Terrier Terror

09/04/2008 3:14 PM
bryson does this... never means bad about it... his nails do hurt every now and again... he does it to himself to as if to "cover his eyes"... especially when he's tired.. its very cute!

"No one knows YOU better than YOU!" gianni_mahopac, ny bryson: pearl tri color \| braeli: chocolate tri color.

Pam&Maggie

Ratastic

09/04/2008 3:41 PM
hmmmm, I know cats have scent glands in their paws. Thats why they sometimes do that "dance" with the paws on different surfaces. Wonder if dogs have the same thing?

The Rat Patrol Pam, Maggie, Kidd Roo, Nitro and Rudy Ratbones Rescue Volunteer Ratbonerescues.com

Tammie

Ratastic

09/04/2008 3:43 PM
I've noticed that Bijou uses her feet to get my attention way more than any other dog I've ever had. She particuarly seems to enjoy poking me in the eye to wake me up in the morning.

That's my baby girl, Bijou and her little brother Banjo, they are Toy Rat Terriers. http://www.dogster.com/dogs/749214 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/939035

rattytatty

Training Moderator

09/04/2008 9:32 PM
I have no clue why Mickey is doing this. How's THAT for an honest answer? LOL I know that dogs have scent glands in their paw pads and this is why they often scrape their back legs to mark their territory after they urinate or defecate. Dogs use their front legs much like humans use their arms... so maybe he's just being affectionate and that's how he has chosen to show it? Most dogs don't use their front legs to perform "tasks" as we humans do.... they use their mouths for this purpose in most cases. Anyways.... I have no clue! LOL

~Nora~ Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, OA, OAJ

michelle_custer

Rat-A-Tat-Tat

09/04/2008 9:48 PM
dasiey may fails her front legs and pats down hard when shes playing and romping around its to cute

My Rats are my babies and I wouldnt trade them for anything in the world

singingpilgrim

Ratastic

09/05/2008 12:26 AM
Sophie is COMPLETELY front paw oriented. She's funny with it. If you're rubbing her belly, her front paws stick straight out. If you stop, she waves at you, like "HERE! HERE I AM. BELLY RUB ME!" She paws my face, Radar's face, whatever, if I'm snuggling with her. It was really cute, last night I was lying next to her and she had her paw on my nose as she fell asleep (and I had my arm on her head). I don't know how to explain how much she uses her paws. We (my parents and I) were actually talking about this earlier today, saying I guess it was just a Sophie thing, not a rattie thing, since I hadn't heard any of you talk about it... but maybe not! Honestly, I think it's sort of about digging. That might sound weird, but sometimes when she wants to get my attention or wake me up, she paws at me with both paws in a digging motion. And so I wondered if maybe that it's... since Ratties are digging dogs, maybe they are more wired to pay attention/use/express themselves through their front paws? Or maybe it's just a Sophie and a Mickey thing, not a rattie thing! LOL

Pamela ~Sophia Abigail's Mom~ Ratbones Rescue Volunteer

Shadows Mom

Ratastic

09/05/2008 11:09 AM
Shadow is all "paws" too. He does this to me especially when he wants to play. He will paw at my hands when he wants to play tug-of-war, or fetch. He paws my hands when he wants to go for a walk or just when he wants attention. Yep, he is all hands. (so to speak).

Shadow's Mom Laugh, dance and drink like nobody's watching cause life is too short.

SuzieRedhead

Bratty Ratty

09/08/2008 1:08 PM
Posted By rattytatty on 09/04/2008 9:32 PM I have no clue why Mickey is doing this. How's THAT for an honest answer? LOL I know that dogs have scent glands in their paw pads and this is why they often scrape their back legs to mark their territory after they urinate or defecate. Dogs use their front legs much like humans use their arms... so maybe he's just being affectionate and that's how he has chosen to show it? Most dogs don't use their front legs to perform "tasks" as we humans do.... they use their mouths for this purpose in most cases. Anyways.... I have no clue! LOL Gotta LOVE the honest answer! LOL... but he does touch my face a lot with his front paws... and the other dogs, too! He's a cutie pie...

Sue Carello, Scotia, NY (near Albany) Ratbone Rescues Fostermom, etc... www.ratbonerescues.com Fostermom to Oh Mickey (ADOPTED!), Prince and Spring Ratbone Who do YOU GoodSearch/GoodShop for? Go to www.goodsearch.com and type in Ratbone Rescues!

Mitzy's Mom

PAWesome

09/08/2008 1:40 PM
Mine are both very "paw oriented", too. And Beacan, my foster, is VERY active with his paws....he will even reach up with both paws and pull down on the leash when he doesn't want to "go"!

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids Georgia Foster Mom, www.newrattitude.org Pics of my current fosters: http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona

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