While out walking in the snow and ice today, I was thankful that my rottweiler, Monty, easily allowed me to periodically wipe off the de-icing salts and ice from his paws. Monty has been taught to accept handling of his paws but a relaxing walk can turn into a downright nightmare if you have a dog that hates his paws held. During the freezing temperatures, it is essential that you remove any de-icing salts (to prevent poisoning or chemical burns) and "ice balls" (to prevent frostbite) from your dog's paws. It is also for your dog's comfort. While you can physically restrain your dog to get the job done, it is much more pleasant for you, and your dog, to teach him how to voluntarily accept paw handling.

First, do your best to determine if your dog is just playing, slightly annoyed (maybe ticklish?), hurt or stressed when their paws are handled.

Do they grab at the towel like a play toy or get all wiggly and goofy? If so, use a fun game as a reward for wiping each paw. Wipe a single paw while your dog is holding still, then play tug or fetch for a few minutes as a reward. Repeat. For starters, do this inside to practice and before you really need to wipe off the salt and ice. Use a small hand towel to avoid the irresistible temptation of a large, wiggling bath towel. Keep your dog on leash so he cannot run away and play. If your dog gets wiggly, stay motionless (and calm!) until he stops. No playing until a paw gets held/wiped. Gradually increase the expectations before the game is played. For example, next time you will hold/wipe two paws before the game is played.

If your dog seems slightly annoyed and by that I mean he pulls his paw away but does not show signs of stress, turn it into “you do this for me and I’ll do this for you”.  Hold and wipe a paw for a very brief moment (before he resists) and then give him a liver treat as an immediate reward for voluntarily allowing you to calmly wipe a paw. Gradually increase the time that each paw is held and positively reinforce with a treat reward. Repeat.

Does your dog only pull away one paw but is okay with others being held? This may indicate an injured limb. Since we usually hold the paw at a weird angle, this might trigger pain anywhere up the limb. Take note of this and either assess the limb as you have learned in a canine first aid class (www.dogsafe.ca) or have your vet assess the limb.

Does your dog show any signs of stress while the paw is being handled, such as, whine, tremble, drool, lick your hand that's on the paw, yawn, freeze, pant, hold breath, pull away, growl or snap? If so, we need to change the dog’s thinking from paws handled = bad thing into paws handled = good thing. This process is slow and rate of progress is solely determined on the dog’s behaviour. This cannot be rushed.

Think of something that your dog absolutely loves. Not just likes, but LOVES. Really goes crazy over. This might be pepperoni bits, cooked chicken, an amazing squeaky toy or whatever. Control access to this item so that the dog only gets it when working on paw handling. You will be pairing up this treasured item with each paw stage. Help your dog be successful by starting when your dog is relaxed and lying down, not all energized after a walk.

There are a variety of stages with paw handling that include; touching the top of the paw, covering the top of the whole paw, holding the paw on your hand, grasping the paw tightly, elevating the paw and then wiping the paw. The length of time the paw is held is also a factor. Break it down so you are only working on one stage at a time. When increasing the time, revert back a few stages and gradually work up the time.

For example, you would touch the top of your dog’s paw for a second then give the treat/toy. Touch again, give the treat/toy. Repeat up to 5 times. Then touch for 2 seconds, give the treat/toy and repeat up to 5 times. Then 3 seconds, then 4 seconds, etc. Then proceed to the next stage of covering the whole paw for 1 second, (repeat 5x), then increase the time up to 5 seconds. Then holding the paw for 1 second (repeat 5x), then 2 seconds, etc. Increase up the stages until you can elevate one paw and wipe for up to 10 or 15 seconds with your dog exhibiting no signs of stress. If at any time your dog shows signs of stress, stop, revert back to the stage or time when no stress signs are shown and proceed from there.

This process can be slow. Do not rush. Stop before the dog is showing signs of stress. It is easy to push him up the stages when things are going well but take your time. You may only do one stage per day. While this may take days or weeks to complete, the pay off is when you can easily wipe your dog’s paws without a struggle. Ahhhh. I keep hearing that this will be a long, cold winter so you still have time to practice and gain the benefits.

Try these tips out or if you would like expert, one-on-one coaching for faster progress, contact a Dogtime canine coach (dogtime.ca) in your area for an appointment.

Michelle Sevigny

© 2011 Michelle Sevigny. www.dogtime.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.

Photo by Sarah B