Hi, all. Our Cameron hasn't done the nose or paw thing, but he does walk between my legs when he wants to play or be petted. He's still underweight at around 90 lbs, but I'm only 5 ft tall and he picks me up completely off the ground. I have to usually grab the wall to keep my balance. He quickly learned not do it when I'm holding the baby, but when it's just me, he feels free to pick me up and start playing. If he comes at me from behind, he goes between my legs just far enough to pick me up a little, the he'll sit down to be petted on the head.
Ok, so I need to ask since we're new to the pyr world: is it just our Cam or do all pyrs really believe they are invisible? Cam is so funny about trying to sneak up on the couches or beds and when he gets caught he instantly freezes (in whatever position he's in) and pretends like we cannot possible see him since he's stopped moving. It's the funniest thing to see this big white dog climbing onto my dark leather sofa and then freeze with only 3 legs on the couch and only his eyes moving to see if I noticed!
Czar also does "the nose" when he wants extra attention but usually it is to lift my arm and hand to pet him or give him a "badly needed" treat off of my dinner plate (which is a no-no). He uses "the nose" when I am driving and he wants me to pet him while trying to concentrate on the road.
Czar also does this crazy thing where he walks between my legs facing back wards and stands there "on guard". He does this to me all of the time, and I swear it is because he is facing the opposite direction that I am, it is so he can "keep an eye out" for anything that might be approaching me from behind. The funny thing is, I am only 5'3" tall and Czar is 120 pounds, so he practically lifts me off my feet when he does this. He also wants me to rub his hind quarters while standing there. What a crazy, crazy dog. But he is the most sweet and gently dog you could ever meet...Ii wouldn't have it any other way.
Beth, Czar(Pyr) and Raisa (MAL) in Rural Wisconsin
-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Bailey [mailto:newbailey@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 1:35 PM
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Subject: [pyrnet] The Nose
All, I need to ask about another Pyr communication technique - The Nose. I hope that this is a pyr thing, not that I have inadvertently taught two dogs who never met each other the same bad habit. Jascha and Charlie will each goose me with their nose if they insist that they need to go out and I am ignoring them or telling them no. Please forgive this next part, by watching them when they do go out side, I have discovered that they accurately explain their plight by where they poke me. If they poke me in the butt, they run out to poop, if in the front, they run out to pee. It's as if they are saying , we are not fooling around, this is urgent, and this is what I need to do. Sorry for so crass a discussion, but do any others also do this?? As much as they love to go out to bark, they take care of business first, then bark when the request is made this way.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 12:01 PM
Subject: RE: [pyrnet] The Paw
That is so like a Pry! Czar takes it one step further than "the paw". If I am sleeping and he gently does "the paw" and if I do not start petting him right away, he does the "grrrrrrrr" and makes a polar bear noise that means "pet me RIGHT NOW"...or, if he is laying across the room from me, he does the "grrrrrr" as well, which means "I am too lazy to get up and walk over to you, so you come to me and rub my belly". Their ways of communicating are endless. I love it and it so shows their personality.
Beth, Czar (Pyr) and Raisa (MAL) in Rural Wisconsin
I am awakened to "the Paw" every morning. When he gets up, Bridger comes into our bedroom and to my side of the bed. He puts his face very close to mine and stares for a few seconds to see if I'm going to spring out of bed to let him out. If he doesn't get the reaction he's hoping for, I am subjected to repeated "pats" and "jabs" with the paw. He uses the same strategy to get my attention at mealtime and when it's time for a walk. I think all Pyrs are born with this communication technique - my previous Pyr was very good at it too :>)
Lyn and Bridger