Tiny Rescue Dog Turns Into A 'Gremlin' When Getting His Feet Wiped After A Walk
When dogs don't like something, they make it known. Now, whether that means they take a dramatic stance and bark or simply retreat to another room is all dependent on the individual dog and reading their body language. Take this tiny rescue named Miki, who growls and makes adorable car engine-like noises as he begrudgingly gets his feet wiped after a walk. He definitely makes a scene he can call his own!
@fineboymiki Anyone else have a gremlin that hates having their feet wiped???? #gremlin #dog #miki #wipingfeet #grumpydog
"Anyone else have a gremlin that hates having their feet wiped????" asks the caption on the TikTok video that shows the small, pudgy pooch curling his lips, growling, and making the funniest little chattering sounds to show his dislike of the post-walk routine, which the owner says turns him into an angry little "gremlin." Of course, he still gives his paw and lets his owner pat him while it's all going on, even running behind her in excitement when she mentions treats after the process is over.
"100% angry – 0% Damage," reads one comment, as another jokes from the perspective of the dog, "'Fine but I'm gonna complain the whole time' 😂😅." The routine clearly works for these two, and we want to say thanks for capturing it all on video!
Why dogs hate paw wiping and what to do
Dogs may hate getting their paws wiped because that area of their body is surprisingly sensitive, with lots of nerve endings between their toes and around their paw pads. So, having those two things handled can feel strange and alarming to them, especially since dogs don't naturally grab or touch each other's feet. For some pups, that unfamiliar sensation alone is enough to make them give a little growl or pull away while trying to use paw cleaning products.
But just like much else when it comes to dogs, patience, training, and repetition can calm a lot of paw-wiping anxiety. To get some tips on what a pet owner can do, Cuteness reached out exclusively to Ken Ramirez, chief training officer at Karen Pryor Clicker Training, who offered his expert advice on how to train a dog when it comes to wiping their sensitive paws.
"Dogs are often sensitive about having their feet touched, so it is not uncommon for dogs to grumble about it," he says, adding, "Pet parents can teach their dogs to enjoy having their feet touched by briefly touching a paw and then immediately offering a tasty treat. By repeating this over and over, many dogs will relax and stop complaining about having their feet touched. Over time, you can reward them less frequently, but at first, it is the best way to get them through the discomfort they are feeling."