Quote Originally Posted by cassiesmom
But, Glacier, a question: Pingo is left pawed, Pacer is a rightie. Can you tell me why that makes a difference? Does handedness (or pawed-ness) affect the way that a dog will move? I guess I didn't realize that dogs could have a dominant side. Are they "handed" with both of their left or right paws? See, you can learn something when you least expect it.

thanks
elyse

Some dogs will refuse to run if they aren't on their dominant side. Pingo will run on the right, but she will do everything she can to get back to the left side. She crabs on the right--runs sideways basically. That gait is hard on a dog physically and not effective for pulling. Pingo on the left is much happier, much more responsive and physically able to go farther. Her son, Sundin, is a mirror image of her. Sundin greatly prefers to run on the right.

Pacer can't run on the left. He trips over his own paws if he's on the wrong side.

They don't all have a dominant side, at least not in harness. Lots of the dogs will run on either side. Paxil has to be up front, but she could care less which side she's on. Franklin, Raven, Deuce, Chase ect..can all run on either side with equal comfort.

I bet if you watch your own dog closely though, you will notice a pattern of which paw she reaches for things with first.