[Connor]

My name is Connor. I am conducting a science experiment in my sixth grade class. I am testing to see if dogs have a right or left paw preference. I was hoping that some of you readers could help me out by testing your dog. To do this you need to follow these simple instructions.

1. Stand directly in front of your dog.
2. Place your hand (which ever one you normally use. You can alternate hands if you want) in the front and center of your dog. Make sure your hand is equal distance from the left and right front paw.
3. Give the command that will prompt your dog to shake your hand.
4. Record which paw the dog uses to shake your hand.
5. Repeat this two times for a total of three times.
6. Please e-mail me the following information:

a. The results of each of the three tests.
b. The gender of the dog
c. Indicate whether the dog is spayed or neutered.

My email address is:
pawpreference@gmail.com

A sample e-mail might look like this:
test 1: right
test 2: left
test 3: left
female/spayed

Please send only one result for each dog you own.

Please note that if you have taught your dog to have a paw preference (such as giving its right paw when you hold out your left) do not participate in the experiment. I am testing for instincts not learned behavior.

Thank you. I really appreciate the help. I will post results, if interested.

[Bacis Dad]

Hi Connor!
This is a cool topic. But being that this is a science experiment, in the name of science, i thought I would share. This test that you are conducting I do not feel that you will get an accurate reading. Because shaking (wether indicated by left or right) is still a learned behavior.
Dogs could have developed a "superstitious" behavior, where the dog feels "shake" is with his right paw, but you the trainer really didnt care. So, now the dog has been more frequently rewarded w/ his right paw, and that will be the more prevelant behavior.

A more effective approach may be to give your dog a bone or a kong and whichever paw sits on top of the bone or the paw most frequently "grabs" the chew object, would help determine which paw is the dominant one. This is a more natural unconditioned behavior then gaging off of a learned one.

But for your test my dog:
test 1: left
test 2: left
test 3: left

female/unaltered
border collie 11 mos old

Good Luck!

[DoggieVogue]

test 1: left
test 2: left
test 3: left
Boston Terrier, neutered


My boy is definitely a leftie!

[Lara's mom]

Tried your test with all three of my dogs. Only Bailey responded:

Border Collie X (Will be 13 years old on Feb. 25th)
Female - spayed.
1) Right paw.
2) Right paw.
3) Right paw.

[SmileOfAnubis Leather]

1. Right paw
2. Right paw
3. Left Paw
German Rottweiler Mix, Female, Unaltered

(Note: I brought her with me from Germany and the vet advised against neutering because of her old age. Pet overpopulation is not a noticable problem in Germany and neutering is not as promoted.)

I will say that I taught her to give both paws (first right then left), whereas many dog owners wouldn't differentiate.

Good Luck,
Hope I could help!

[Lunareclipse]

My dogs thought I was retarded.

[elmoforever]

i am in eighth grade and im doin the exact same experiment and i just wanted to help you out a little bit. do to some research i have found out that paw preference can also be related to the dogs behavior. here is what i know so far....
left preference:cautious and fearful of approaching novel objects and enviroments
right preference: willing to approach novel objects and enviroments
ambidextrous (no preference): increased reactivity to loud noises ex. thunder and fireworks

well thats all i have good luck

[Lunareclipse]

This post is over a year old.