The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [27]
One way to reduce whining is to provide Gracie with plenty of exercise each day. Take her on walks lasting at least 20 minutes. Play with her in the backyard. At home when she starts whining, try to figure out the reason. Respond to the legitimate ones, like the need to go outside or a reminder that it’s dinnertime. But if she whines for the sake of whining, walk away. Ignore her. Really give her the cold shoulder. That means do not talk to her, look at her, or touch her. When she is quiet and calm, approach her, praise her calmly, and give her a treat.
You need to break the whining cycle, just like parents must do with fussy toddlers. If you don’t nip this habit soon, it could develop into a full-blown case of separation anxiety. Once Gracie learns that whining gets her no attention from you, which is the opposite of what she desires, she will realize that being quiet reaps the best rewards.
Touchy Toes
Q I adopted a Welsh Corgi from a rescue group a couple of months ago. Booker is about 18 months old and from what I understand was neglected a lot as a puppy. His previous family said they were too busy to keep him. He is still adjusting to my home and acts timid and tentative.
I’ve taken steps to make him feel at home with a new doggy bed, treats, and lots of toys. He enjoys being petted, but he doesn’t like his toes touched. He quickly pulls his paw from my grasp and tries to retreat. I know I need to keep his nails trimmed, but how can I convince him that I won’t hurt his paws?
A First, thank you for giving Booker a second chance and a much better home. You’re right. He is still adjusting to this new scene and has to build up his confidence and his trust in you. Second, many dogs of all breeds and mixes are fussy about having their toes touched, but corgis tend to be among the most toe shy, for reasons that remain mysterious. Several years ago, when I adopted Jazz, a corgi puppy, knowledgeable corgi breeders and trainers alerted me to this touchy toe trait and encouraged me to play with my puppy’s toes from day one. Even though Booker is 18 months old, you can still train him to accept paw or toe touching. He may never welcome having his feet handled, but he can learn to tolerate it.
Even though dogs sport very tough paw pads, similar to thick leather soles on shoes, the rest of their foot anatomy was not designed to be as durable. The area on top and between the toes is especially sensitive to the touch for all dogs, not just corgis, because the area around the toes is packed with nerve endings that alert the brain to any pressure that could possibly cause pain or injury.
In Booker’s case, in addition to his breed tendency, it is unlikely that anyone ever handled his paws, given his history. He may also harbor painful memories of bad pedicures. His nails may have been cut too short, causing bleeding and pain. If so, he will be vigilant in trying to protect his toes from future harm.
But as you mention, all dogs need trimmed nails. Overgrown nails can snag on carpet, scratch bare arms and legs, and affect the way a dog walks. The trick is to make toe touching a pleasant experience for Booker. To build his trust, start by teaching him to lift his front paw and touch your outstretched hand (hold a treat in your closed fist to encourage him) while you tell him shake paws. Don’t grasp his paw at first; just touch it lightly and let it go. Heap on the praise and the treats. Slowly work up to holding his paw gently for a few seconds and releasing it before he struggles to escape. Once he is comfortable, ask him to shake with his other front paw. Keep sessions brief and remember the treats and praise, because you are helping to build new, happy memories