Is your dog right or left pawed?

I've heard that dogs are either right or left "pawed" like humans are right or left handed.

My girls all seem to use their left paws more. For shakes and high fives, and also during play.

Mine seem to use their lefts more often too. Sometimes I think it is beacuse they are so used to me using my right hand to shake their paw and the like.

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Originally Posted by lv4dogs

Mine seem to use their lefts more often too. Sometimes I think it is beacuse they are so used to me using my right hand to shake their paw and the like.

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You know, that could be it. I'm right handed as well.

I always wondered if dogs could be left or right pawed! In that case, I think that Anita if left handed like most part of my family...

I haven't exactly noticed. I know they do use one paw more... like when they paw at there toys. I don't really pay attention to which one it is though.

Sassy seems to use her left paw more often.

Niño will ONLY use his left, I have tried sooooooo hard but he will lay on his right before I can get it up off the ground for a high-five or shake

jess' a leftie.

I was just doing shake and high-five with Nova and she used her right paw repeatedly. Maybe she's ambidextrous? :p

Mickey's very left pawed, but still does things with his right.. I guess he's ambidextrous just like Nova. :D

I really don't know I don't psy attention. I usually just say right paw or left paw and he gives me his paw, or other paw.

I haven't noticed a definate preference for most of them, except when they are working. I actually have a list who runs on which side of the gangline. Pacer absolutely can not run on the left. He has to be on the right. Antare is a lefty as is Pingo. Most of the sled dogs have a strong preference for one side.

it seems a lot of my dogs are right pawed. I am right handed, too. :p

I am not sure that Ginger has a preference. Shake and high five she uses her left paw (but I am right-handed), but digging or reaching for something, I think she will use her right paw first (then both if she still doesn't get what she wants). My RB girl was very definitely left-pawed.

I'm not sure, they seem to use both paws equally.

There is actually a simple way to see if they are left or right pawed. I was told that the direction the dog turns when it gos into a crate is usually its "dominate paw" and they will usually only turn one direction :)

All this is so interesting. I had to google paw preference, and came across a bunch of interesting info. They actually did a research on this...lol
Paw preference in dogs: relations between lateralised behaviour

Another one was cute, too: Project Title: Are Dogs Right or Left Pawed?

Star seems to be ambidextrous, if you ask her to shake, she usually offers her left paw first, then offers you her right paw. sherman doesn't shake, but he seems to prefer hanging out on Star's right side when we walk together. I was just noticing this yesterday!

Anna is right... Rosie is left :)

Sadie girl is left-pawed! ;) She always uses her left paw to shake.

Logan hates having her right paw touched in anyway, but she raises it when she's stalking or excited and to swip at her toys. So I guess she's a righty.