'How to' train your dog to Wipe his dirty paws

[MBLAQandAnimals]

Is this trick similar to the trick 'dig it'? kikopup has one tutorial video on 'dig it', and I think both of them are quite similar.

[pamelamarxsen]

@MBLAQandAnimals Most likely it is similar. Kikopup and I are best friends and train very similar. :))

[MBLAQandAnimals]

@pamelamarxsen Haha yeah! So for example, if I teach my dog how to wipe his paws, I don't have to teach 'dig it' in case it confuses him? Like he might think "Why are there two cues for the same trick?".

[lollyluvr]

I WANT A CLICKER!!

[Tiah1479]

I know!!! Haha I will certainly post a video of him/her when I do finally get one! Do you know whether it is better to go to the RSPCA or something or get one when it is a puppy so you bond better? Or would it not matter if you get one from RSPCA or something like that?

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 If you rescue, you never know what type of behavioral or structural problems the dog might have. If you were rescuing a lab, I would say go for it. However, BC's can have many issues that take a long time to fix. My older BC that I rescued at 10 weeks broke his let at 6 months missed a lot of socialization after that, then was attacked by a dog when he was a year. He was fear reactive to just about everything and it took me over 2 years to help him over come this.

[Tiah1479]

@pamelamarxsen So do you tend to go on the internet and look for proper breeders that are close to you?

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 No, I look for excellent breeders to make sure that when I do get my next dog he or she has perfect genetics. I do not care if I have to travel to get him. I flew to Oregon to get Twix. I do like his breeder a lot, but I am not sure if my next one will be from her. No particular reason, I just like to look around to see what is out there. :) I also like breeders that give the puppies a lot of mental stimulation. Things for them to crawl on, explore, etc...

[Tiah1479]

@pamelamarxsen Yes i see but how do you know that they are generally good breeders?

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 It takes a lot of research. Looking for good or excellent hips, eyes, structure, genetics as far as behavior as well. A lot of breeders do not give all the proper info and will just keep some stuff hidden. A friend of mine has a border collie that is 4 and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and she just learned that it runs in the line, but was not told. Very deceiving some breeders! It takes a lot of research to look at the family tree and look at siblings, relatives or the dog too

[Tiah1479]

@pamelamarxsen Yes I really would love a dog more than anything but yes you do have to be careful but I have done ALOT ALOT of research on them because I love them but someone told me that they can get quite nasty and they bite if they do not get the exersize that they need but i am willing to do that and everything but i think i am going to have to wait until I am older before i get one :/

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 So, when I got my second BC I purchased him from a breeder to make sure that he had good genetics, structure, behavior, etc... So, I personally would never rescue another BC unless I was ready to deal with issues and rescue a dog just to help that dog. Since I do dog sports and really want to compete at a high level, I need a dog that can endure that type of training and be fine in every environment. Not to say that my older BC can't be in any environment, he can now. My opinion!

[Tiah1479]

Yes I agree! But I am in secondary school in year 7 and my dad says that I don't have enough time for one because of the reasons you gave but I really want one and I am sure to get one when I am older. I'm watching soo many videos on Border Collies I love them but yes I agree :)

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 By the time you get one, you will know so much about the breed and be the best border collie owner! I can't wait to see your dog when you finally get him or her! :)

[Tiah1479]

Lovely lovely Border Collie he's beautiful. I have a Westie but its 16 and I really want a Border Collie but my parents will not let me sadly :( but I will keep trying to convince them to get me one. Great video really cute

[pamelamarxsen]

@Tiah1479 Thank you! If I were you I would wait until you are out of school (even college) before getting a Border Collie. They require a lot of time and attention. Lots of training, exercise and mental stimulation. They are great dogs, but make sure that you have plenty of time for one! :) I got my first Border Collie at 38 years old. There is no rush! :)) You will get one when the time is right! :))

[GreytMusic]

I LOVE the bit at the end when Bandit wanders off like, "Mom, they're clean already. Can I go play now?" Just like a human child. :)

[daddykayla1]

you shouldnot give your dog that much treats you know and go to daddykayla1

[pamelamarxsen]

@daddykayla1 That is his dinner he is working for. :) Nothing in life is free. My dogs work for a living. hehe! They enjoy working and in their mind it is fun fun fun. :) However, even if they were dog treats or real meat, everyone including humans need motivation to work or do various things. I get rewarded with a paycheck every month for going to work and my dogs earn food, toys, playtime, and other rewards for doing their work and learning. :) 

[Sabine1975]

Very nice, but how would you teach to wipe the back feet?

[pamelamarxsen]

@Sabine1975 I am working on that one and have been using capturing after they go pee. Usually they kick and wipe their back paws after they pee. :) That is the same method I used to train the sneeze and scratch. :) Good Luck!

[ederinho420]

really really cool!! what about the back legs??

[wrencaulfield]

My puppy has this down (without a verbal cue yet) on a towel with a treat under it. How can I transfer it to the doormat? She doesn't seem to get it--she thinks only the towel counts.

[pamelamarxsen]

@wrencaulfield I would get it on a verbal cue before transferring the learning to the door mat. She will get it. You could also retrain it using the door mat, but it is harder to hide something underneath. You would probably have to shape her by having her touch with paw, then maybe two paws, wait to see if she offers something that looks like a paw scratch each time click and treat. Good Luck.

[jcims]

How do you get them to initiate the pawing motion? Our boxer can open and close the door and ring the doorbell, but after months of trying (on and off), she has yet to scratch her paw. It's like it just doesn't connect.

[pamelamarxsen]

@jcims You could hide something under the towel like a treat and see if he will paw at it to uncover the treat. Both my dogs love to use there paws for tricks and all it took was clicking the movement of one paw and then that was it. Does your dog like to dig? You could let her dig something and click for her digging with her paws. Just a thought. Not that it would totally work, but you never know. :)

[jcims]

@pamelamarxsen Great ideas! I think the 'hiding something under the towel' bit will work like a charm! Thank you!!!

[hsinyicohen]

Hi Pam! Sorry I haven't had time to catch up on your videos in ages! Am so happy to have found this one as I'm desperate to teach Honey this trick for our next dance routine - need to get started on it asap - could you please tell me the steps to teach it? (ie. how to get the initial behaviour) - in your video, Bandit already does it but how did you get him to do it the 1st time? Thanks!

[pamelamarxsen]

To get Isabelle to do it I put a treat under the towel and when she used her paw to uncover it I would click and treat. Bandit did it right away. Those smarty pants border collies. hehe!

[hsinyicohen]

Thanks so much for your quick reply - I really appreciate it! (Sorry I took so long to respond - work very hectic these 2 days). Will follow your suggestions, although I actually need Honey to do this on bare ground & different surfaces, depending on what we'll be performing on, so prob need to phase out the towel...? Any other way to teach without using a towel?

[pamelamarxsen]

I think that once you get it on a verbal cue, you could start fading the towel and practicing on other surfaces. I also have them use a piece of plywood with sand paper on it, to file their nails. Same movement and cue, but different surface. Hope that helps.

Pam and my furry kids!

[TheYoungAndFree]

I need to teach my dogs how to do this!

[bobos07]

aww I want my dog to do that... what about its hind paws though?

[pamelamarxsen]

I have been trying to get the hind feet forever by capturing it and it is more difficult.

[kikopup]

Sweet! Thats a cool trick!