Bessie did learn from Burke! She didn't understand "shake" until she saw him do it. I watched her watch him, then could practically see her put 2 and 2 together and give me her paw (no cue for her but she saw him get a treat for it so...).
Coco learned this from Belle. I decided NOT to teach him as Belle could be a bit of a nuisance with it, but he's learned it all the same. I can say, though, he's not such a pest and uses it very politely. He responds to the cue "paw" which I used with Belle, and also "other paw". Oh well...
I was absolutely determined never, ever, to train 'give paw' with Betsy. Having spent 2 years getting the dratted behaviour under control with Charlie. Most annoying habit ever. Unfortunately, having rewarded Betsy for putting her paws on my knee so I can cut her nails....*drat* *double drat*!
I also haven't trained "paw" didn't see the point! Bramble has a awful habit of thumping you with her paw, or using it to try and drag your hand towards her so she can be petted. It is a really irritating habit!
Tuppence does that too, despite not having trained 'paw' for her. However, Wispa doesn't, yet I did train her to give her 'paw'.
This makes me feel better about never succeeding in training "paw" with Brogan. Little kids especially always wanted him to do it and he'd look at me like, "Huh? Whadda they want with my foot??". I tried a few times to teach it to him, but he just looked bewildered, so I didn't press it.
Well I'm afraid you no choice in "paw" training when you have children x Charlie does exactly the same, really cute! x
Mine don't know paw, and just look blank when people ask for it. Somehow the "bucket game" paw that signals it's ok to cut nails hasn't transferred into something annoying. Willow will offer it sometimes in other scenarios, but this is always more of a signal that she gives permission for me to do something (such as when I had to change her bandage) than a demand. Dogs pawing at you is no fun!
Good point; it isn't a great behavior to encourage! I keep it out of our regular rotation and knock wood, so far no problem.
My nephew taught Bailey "paw" - it is annoying, and I wish he would forget it as easily as he forgets his recall training
