If you’re a proud golden retriever owner, you are familiar with and have experienced the pawing behavior. From my experience, this pawing behavior can be an adorable and sweet gesture at first, but it can quickly become annoying and even frustrating. So I often find myself wondering why my golden retriever is always pawing at me and what I can do to stop this behavior.

My golden retrievers, KB and Kenzo, inspired me to write this article. They both like pawing at me (especially Kenzo) for a variety of reasons. In this blog post, I will explore the main reasons why my golden retrievers are constantly pawing at me.

Understanding Pawing Behavior in Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers have a reputation for being one of the most affectionate dog breeds out there. They love to cuddle, play, and spend time with their owners.

I can personally vouch for these loving golden retriever behaviors, especially if you own a male golden retriever. Male golden retrievers are generally known to be more affectionate than females.

Golden retrievers show their love by using their paws to touch their owners. It’s important to know that this dog’s behavior is not only seen in golden retrievers; many dogs do this for different reasons. However, golden retrievers have a special fondness for physical contact, which makes them more likely to engage in pawing behavior.

When my golden retrievers, KB or Kenzo, use their paws to interact with me, it can vary from a soft touch to a stronger nudge. If your golden retriever does something similar, it’s important to recognize that this behavior isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression or disobedience. In my experience, I firmly believe that my golden retrievers use pawing as a way to communicate. As their owner, it is my responsibility to uncover my dog’s body language and the possible reasons behind this behavior.

Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Paw at Their Owners

There are many reasons why your golden retriever may be pawing at you. From my experience, here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Seeking dog attention and affection
As I mentioned earlier, golden retrievers love to be around their owners. They thrive on human interaction and have a deep longing for physical form of attention.

If your golden furry friend is pawing at you, the main reason could be their way of seeking your attention and affection, also known as some extra love. They may want petting, playtime, or even a good scratch behind the ears and belly rubs from you.

2. Expressing Dog Anxiety or Stress
Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety and stress. If your Golden Retriever is pawing at you more often than usual, it may be a signs of anxiety or stress. They may be trying to seek comfort from you and are using pawing as a way to communicate their emotions.

3. Seeking For Dog Treats or Food
Golden Retrievers are known for their love of food. If your furry buddy starts pawing at you while you’re eating, they might be seeking your attention, hoping to score a bite of your food or a treat.

Dealing with this behavior can be quite challenging, particularly if you’re aiming for an uninterrupted meal. However, with proper dog obedience training, your golden retriever can learn good manners and understand how to behave while you are eating.

KB and KENZO, my golden retrievers, have been trained since they were puppies, so they have learned not to paw for food or treats. However, from time to time, they still give me their longing eye contact and drool, but with proper training commands, they promptly stop begging for food or treats because they understand the “rules”.

Additionally, by taking them to a professional dog trainer, I have gained valuable knowledge on how to effectively manage food bowl etiquette and mealtimes, such as dinner time, family gatherings, and even dining out at a restaurant with them.

4. Medical Reasons for Excessive Pawing
In some cases, excessive pawing behavior may be a sign of an underlying medical issue; it could be due to an injury or an irritation. It’s essential to monitor your furry friend’s behavior and seek advice from a veterinarian if you suspect that something is wrong.

Ways to Address Excessive Dog Pawing Behavior

Now that you understand some of the reasons why your Golden Retriever may be pawing at you, here are some tips on how to manage this behavior:

1. Training Techniques to Reduce Pawing Behavior
One of the most effective ways to manage pawing behavior in your Golden Retriever is through training. Training your furry friend to understand basic commands such as “down” and “stay” can go a long way in reducing excessive pawing behavior. Positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise can be used to reward good behavior and encourage your furry friend to follow commands.

2 .Providing Alternative Ways to Seek Attention
If your Golden Retriever is pawing at you for attention, it’s beneficial to offer them alternative ways to seek your attention. For instance, you can teach your furry friend to “ask” for attention by sitting or lying down next to you. Rewarding this behavior with affection can help strengthen this alternative method of seeking attention.

3. Addressing Underlying A Health Problem
If you suspect that your Golden Retriever’s pawing behavior is related to a potential medical problem, the best thing to do is seek guidance from a veterinarian. They can conduct a closer look and comprehensive examination, plus offer a diagnosis and treatment plan if needed.

* A reminder to all dog parents to take the initiative to address potential health concerns.*

4. Comfortable Environment
It is important to create a comfortable environment for your golden retriever to address their pawing behavior. Ensure that your dog has access to their favorite toys and a cozy bed.

In addition, make sure to give your golden retriever regular exercise and mental stimulation to help decrease high energy levels and stress. Take your furry companion for regular walks, offer them puzzle toys, and engage them in playtime throughout the day. This will assist in keeping your dog calm and minimize the urge to paw for attention.

By establishing a comfortable and engaging environment for your golden retriever, you can effectively diminish their excessive pawing behavior. Through positive reinforcement and patience, your beloved companion can overcome this habit and experience a happier and more tranquil life at home.

Golden Retriever Pawing

Pawing behavior in golden retrievers is a common behavior that requires prompt and careful attention. As a responsible dog parent, it is crucial to recognize that your furry companion is communicating with you, and it is your responsibility to interpret their messages. By offering them the attention and affection they desire while also addressing any underlying concerns, you can ensure your golden retriever feels safe, content, happy, and loved.

If you have a Golden Retriever, you have likely seen your Golden gently carrying things like toys and other fun items in his mouth. Your Golden may just hold it or may show them to you. There are good reasons for this “odd” behavior, and it is perfectly normal for your Golden to do it.

Golden Retrievers were Bred to Retrieve

As the dog breed name suggests, golden retrievers were bred to retrieve. Golden retrievers were bred to be gentle carriers and to retrieve waterfowl without injuring the captured bird for their hunting owners.

This “retrieving” behavioral trait still carries over into their characteristics today. Also, this specific skill is referred to as being “soft-mouthed,” which is a common trait among many other breeds such as spaniels, and even poodles.

5 Reasons Why Your Dog Might Hold Things in their Mouth

1. Teething

Though golden retrievers are trained to hold and retrieve birds, there could be many other reasons for your golden’s behavior, one of which is teething.

A golden retriever puppy loses their baby teeth and goes through the teething process similar to human babies, and the pain resulting from incoming teeth.

If your golden is transitioning from its puppy phase, he is likely experiencing this uncomfortable reality. Much like how babies enjoy the relief of teething rings, your golden could be holding and chewing a toy, or other items to relieve his tooth eruption pain.

2. Anxiety

This behavior could also be a result of anxiety. If you notice this behavior increasing when you are getting ready to leave or have been gone for a while, your golden may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Holding an object could also be compared to a “security blanket,” which is similar to what people use when they are stressed or anxious.

Your golden may be holding a toy for comfort to release energy that may be causing additional anxiety. If your golden is being left in the house with no exercise for long periods, then it will definitely take a toll on their mental state and cause an increase in anxiety.

If you notice this behavior worsening when you leave with symptoms of pacing, depression, and destructive behavior, it is advisable to set up an appointment with your vet to discuss possible changes to help relieve your Golden Retriever’s anxiety.

These behaviors could start to branch into more forms of destruction or negative mental states for your dog. Goldens need enough exercise to release energy and maintain their overall health. Changes in how they hold their toy may indicate repetitive behavior, which could be a new sign of anxiety developing.

3. Possessiveness

Although Golden Retrievers are a family-friendly and generally non-aggressive breed, signs of possessiveness over objects can lead to them being claimed as their own.

If your golden has been carrying around the same toy or food bowl, this could be due to possessiveness. This behavior is usually rare in this breed and is likely the result of a traumatic upbringing or negative training.

The golden retriever is bred to have a gentle temperament and be hard-working. Aggression usually comes from bad experiences, but it can be trained out of your dog with some hard work and love. If your golden exhibits behaviors, along with the holding of an object, such as growling, fur standing on end, or other standoffish body language, then it is a good sign that they are trying to tell you to leave them alone.

While possessiveness may not always be paired with these more aggressive behaviors, your dog may show possessiveness by just refusing to give you the object. While this is frustrating, this is just your golden’s way of telling you, “Hey, I like this thing, I am keeping it”. If you know your dog, you can deal with the situation by observing its body language. Consistent displays of aggressive behavior and hoarding of objects may make it beneficial to look into obedience training to try and curb these aggressions.

4. Attention

Your golden may be holding a toy in its mouth to get your attention. To them, this toy is associated with play and they are enticing you to play. For example, if your dog walks up to you with a known fetch ball in their mouth, then they are likely asking you to play fetch with them. Negative attention-seeking behaviors include your dog picking up socks, shoes, or other items they know not to mess with and carrying them around with them.

Displaying bad behavior will surely get you to pay attention to them, which is their ultimate goal. Signs of bad behavior could be due to separation anxiety, a need for your attention, or a lack of exercise. If your dog has been holding a ball and unsubtly nudging you for the past few minutes, go have some fun with your dog and let them burn off some of its boundless energy.

5. To Give Something to You

Since Golden Retrievers were bred to bring in the waterfowl their owners hunted, they could be exhibiting the behavior of holding their toys in an attempt to give you something.

Golden retrievers also love bringing you their favorite toys because they associate them with love and shared attention. A slobbery ball may not seem like much, but your golden’s favorite toy is meaningful because that is how they show their love.

Holding things in their mouth is a normal trait for a golden retriever

For a Golden Retriever, I can assure you a toy in their mouth is common and normal. Your golden is just trying to have fun with you.

For a golden puppy, teething is common. You can help them with teething-specific toys.

Golden retrievers were bred to bring their owners things while being very gentle, so they still do this today. Your Golden Retriever was bred to please and to retrieve, so if you are met with your dog staring at you with an object or toy, then it’s a good sign to get up and play.

Attention to all Golden Retriever Lovers! 3rd day of February every year is the official day to celebrate National Golden Retriever Day. This special big day was created by golden retriever dog mom Kristen Shroyer.

Golden Retrievers Are Great Pets

The golden retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has consistently ranked golden retrievers in the top 5 list of most popular dog breeds for the past decade. It’s no surprise that golden retrievers are often referred to as the favorite dog breed, man’s best friend, and are great family pets.

Fun Fact – President Gerald Ford had a golden retriever named Liberty who was a beloved member of the White House family.

Golden Retrievers are great family dogs because of their adaptability, gentle temperament, and affectionate personality. They are known for being patient and having a loveable quality, which makes them great companions for children and quintessential family pooch.

In addition to being great family pets, golden retrievers also excel as service dogs. They are often trained as hearing dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs for pediatric patients, and disability assistance dogs for those coping with physical or mental challenges.

Short History of Golden Retrievers

The golden retrievers were bred in the early 1800s in the Highlands of Scotland by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (known as Lord Tweedmouth). He cross-bred a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever with Tweed Water Spaniel to create the ideal Golden Retriever breed.

The golden retrievers were originally bred as gundogs to help hunters and are known for their soft mouths, which allow them to retrieve game birds and other small objects without damaging them.

In 1911, the breed gained popularity in England as a “Retriever- Yellow or Golden” plus it was recognized by The Kennel Club of England. Then, in 1920, the breed name was changed to Golden Retriever.

Also, during the 1920s, golden retrievers were introduced to North America as hunting dogs and companion dogs. Then In 1925, the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Golden Retriever Club of America was formed as an official AKC national breed club and a guide to all about Golden Retrievers. It requires a membership to join the club.

Top 3 States Where Golden Retrievers Are Found The Most

California
Texas
Florida

February 3rd National Golden Retriever Day

In 2012, Kristen Shroyer created National Retriever Day. She chose to celebrate this special day on the 3rd day of February because it was the birthday of her beloved Golden boy Quincey.

This golden event is a celebration of how amazing the breed and love of a Golden Retriever are. This national day is celebrated by all golden retriever dog lovers in the United States of America and internationally (International Golden Retriever Day).

5 Great Ways to Celebrate National Golden Retriever Day

1. Bake A Dog Friendly Special Treat
A delish way to celebrate is to make something homemade like these Peanut Butter Banana Dog Cakes, Frozen Dog Treats, and Dog Ice Cream recipes. No matter what you made, for sure your Golden will love it.

2. Support Golden Retriever Rescue Groups
Help other Golden Retrievers by donating to provide for their care and finding their forever homes. If you can, foster or adopt a golden retriever.

3. Get Outside with Your Golden Retriever
Visit your favorite park and go for a long walk or play fetch.

4. Have A Golden Movie Date
Perfect time to cuddle with your Golden on the couch and watch movies about golden retrievers like Air Bud and Homeward Bound. Here are a list of 23 Movies About Golden Retriever For The Whole Family.

5. Golden Day Photos
Capture your celebration and very special moments by taking lots of photos.

Every Day Is A Golden Retriever Day!

Golden Retrievers are a naturally sporty breed, so it is normal for them to also enjoy water and swimming. With their breed origins in hunting and retrieving waterfowl, they are well equipped for this type of exercise and most of them do love it. It is yet another way for them to let out their boundless energy, which is a plus for owners as well.

However, all dogs have different depositions and personalities, meaning older Golden Retrievers may not enjoy this exercise for long periods, or at all, because it requires a lot of endurance. Some Golden Retrievers may have had bad experiences or anxiety associated with water, which is another reason that could deter them from enjoying a good swim.

Why Do Golden Retrievers Like Water?

Golden Retrievers are bred for endurance and due to their sporting backgrounds, many like water because of their innate genetic connection to that type of work and exercise.

Bred to Retrieve in Water

One reason that Golden Retrievers like water is because they are genetically predisposed to be great swimmers and have the strength it takes to swim for long distances quickly.
In the days of breeding that resulted in today’s Golden Retrievers, they used crosses between certain retriever breeds and water spaniels.

So, Golden Retrievers come from a long line of water-loving dog breeds and were engineered to be wonderful swimmers and collectors of downed waterfowl. Their hunting owners would shoot ducks, geese, and other birds down into lakes, which the golden would then swim out to collect.

Coats & Body “Built” For Swimming

Something that allows playing in the water to come easy to a golden is that their coats are water repellant, which gives them opportunities to swim in the heat and the freezing cold, without affecting their core body temperatures very much.

This is also a drawback for some Golden Retrievers, however, as not all are comfortable getting their coats wet. Goldens also have webbed feet which give them an extra advantage in the water.

How Do I Get My Golden Retriever To Like Water If They Show An Aversion?

If your Golden is not as excited about water as you would like, or they show a complete aversion to it, it may just take some gentle coaching to turn them around. It is helpful to try to pinpoint why they do not like water.

If you have a Golden Retriever puppy or an older dog with little exposure to water then this is likely the reason for their aversion. If this is the case then you can start introducing them slowly and trying to get into the water with them to encourage them to join you.

You can bring their favorite toy in with you, and attempt to convince them to swim out to retrieve it. Overall remember not to force your golden to swim if they are not comfortable as this may put them off of swimming for good by giving them a negative association.

The Benefits of Swimming for a Golden Retriever

Swimming offers a wide array of benefits for a Golden Retriever; number one is a way to get out a lot of energy without as much strain on their bodies. Swimming requires a lot of stamina and gives more resistance than running. That means they can easily build muscle tone and improve their cardiac health.

Swimming also allows for less strain on the joints and muscles of your dog, so if your dog has any health problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or if they appear to be getting on the hefty side, then this exercise is perfect for them. Since obesity, arthritis, and hip dysplasia can be common issues for Golden Retrievers, swimming is a great way to keep them healthy and strong without causing the additional pain that running over various terrains may cause.

How to Introduce Your Golden Retriever to Water

Many Golden Retriever owners have no trouble at all introducing their dogs to love water. While others may have Goldens who need extra training and convincing.

Keep in mind to never force your Golden into any body of water as this can give them a very negative experience and they may be scared to go near water afterward. Instead, gently coax your Golden to feel safe and comfortable.

Goldens are intelligent and notoriously good at training, so as long as you are gentle and patient with them the introduction to water should go smoothly. You can start by getting into the water with them, which will help make your Golden comfortable enough to wade in as well.

Using a fetch toy is always a great point of training and making your Golden enjoy being in the water.

Do all Golden Retrievers like to swim?

Not all Golden Retrievers like to swim, some have had no exposure or negative experiences which causes them to be wary of water.

Whatever the attitude your Golden Retriever has towards swimming, many times you can coach and train your Golden into swimming. The most important thing to remember is to be patient with them. Finally, if they don’t like water after several training sessions then it is okay, and you can both find a different activity to enjoy together.

Do golden retrievers like the beach?

Just like you and your family enjoy the beach, many of Golden Retrievers do as well! If your Golden Retriever has never been to the beach, they will likely love the ability to be off-leash, run, play, swim, and spend time with you in a new exciting environment.

It is important to remember that if they have never been to the beach, it may be a good precaution to make your Golden wear a life vest.

Can golden retrievers swim in cold water?

The Golden Retriever breed is actually more equipped to swim in cold water rather than warm water due to their unique outer and inner coats.

So if you are on a camping trip during the colder months with your Golden Retriever, and your Golden hop into the cold lake, you shouldn’t worry.

If you’re wanting to take a camping trip during the colder months, or you happen to be hiking during winter with your Golden and they hop into the cold lake, you shouldn’t worry.

Golden Retrievers’ water-repellant outer coat keeps the fluffy inner coat dry, which means it protects them from cold temperatures. This keeps their core temperature from being affected by freezing water temperatures. So, if your Golden decides to jump into a semi-frozen lake, just let them have their fun and be sure to dry them off afterward to avoid their outer coat becoming icy.

How do I know that my Golden Retriever can swim?

Many, if not all, dogs are born with the innate ability to dog paddle. That is why this popular beginner swim move is named after them. So, your Golden Retriever will have the ability to stay afloat in the water and swim.

Golden Retrievers are great swimmers because of their
high energy, long legs, double coat design, webbed feet, and endurance.

Though, if you have a Golden Retriever puppy and is not accustomed to water yet, do not force your Golden into the water without proper training and gentle coaching.

How to Keep Your Golden Safe in the Water

Golden Retrievers should be self-sufficient enough to need little supervision in water as they can maintain a paddle and have the energy to keep afloat for a very long time. However, it is crucial to remember that anything can happen and it is good practice to supervise your Golden in bodies of water.

Remember not to let your Golden Retriever swim too long in extremely hot weather with direct sunlight, as they can easily become fatigued and dehydrated. They can swim in cold waters, but it is good to dry them off immediately after so as not to risk the cold air freezing their coats and causing them discomfort.

If your Golden Retriever is new to water exposure, gentle guide your Golden. If you have a pool, make sure to watch over your Golden at all times and aware of the pool exit points.

Do Golden Retriever needs a life vests?

If your Golden Retriever is an experienced swimmer who is going to be fully supervised around water, a life vest is likely not needed. However, it is advisable when teaching young a Golden Retriever who may not seem to pick up swimming right away, to fit your Golden with a life vest.

Life vests are also necessary if you take your are going boating, rafting, or anywhere there are strong currents and deep water. Search and rescue dogs are also required to wear life vests due to the extreme situations they are placed in.

While Almost All Golden Retrievers Love the Water There Are Some That Don’t

Golden Retrievers may have been seemingly born to swim, but it is always good to remember that every dog’s experience is different. Whether your dog is inexperienced, has health conditions, or has had bad experiences, it is important to be patient and understanding while trying to enjoy the water together.