Paw Preference in Pet Gundogs
Here’s something most dog trainers won’t tell you…
Because they don’t even know it themselves.
Your dog’s paw preference reveals MORE about how they’ll respond to training than almost anything else you can observe.
Especially if you’re training a pet gundog?
This could be the difference between a dog that’s a joy to work with… and one that seems “stubborn” no matter what you do.
Let me explain.
The Hidden Connection Between Paws and Pressure
Research has uncovered something that can seriously improve and support our dog training.
Dogs can be ‘right’ or ‘left’ pawed, just as humans are left or right handed. A much higher number of dogs, compared to humans are ambidextrous.
A ‘left’ pawed dog is quite often a young male and this can change as the dog matures and grows in confidence.
Why Does This Matter in Pet Gundog Training?
Right-pawed dogs are generally calmer and easier to train.
They handle pressure better. They bounce back faster. They’re more emotionally resilient.
Left-pawed dogs are more prone to fear-based and reactive responses.
- They feel correction more intensely.
- They process stress differently.
- They can seem “sensitive” or “difficult.”
And here’s a real thing to take note of …
Strongly paw-preferenced dogs (either left OR right) often have a more pronounced fight-or-flight response.
What Does This Mean For Dog Training?
Can a left-pawed dog be trained?
Yes, of course they can. It just means you should be aware that the same method of handling and training, will not work for every dog, and if you have a dog that is responding differently, it’s worth working out why. Paw preference might hold some clues for you.
How to Spot Your Dog’s Paw Preference (Takes About 5 Minutes)
Here’s a really simple test any dog owner can do:
Stand with your dog in heel position at the top of some steps.
Walk forward and watch which paw your dog uses to take that first step down.
Repeat this around 25 times.
If your dog consistently leads with the same paw? They’re strongly paw-preferenced.
And that tells you A LOT about how they’ll handle training pressure.
Why This Matters Particularly In Pet Gundog Training
If you’re training a pet gundog (or working with a dog trainer in gundog training), your dog needs to master:
– Direction – going where you send them, not where they want to go
– Steadiness – staying calm when every instinct says “GO!”
– Emotional control – handling excitement, distraction, and pressure
– Distance work – responding even when you’re far away
A strongly paw-preferenced dog may:
– Struggle to turn in the direction you’re asking
– Consistently favour turning one way over the other
– Find correction or pressure emotionally overwhelming
Without understanding this, you might think your dog is:
– Stubborn
– Unfocused
– Poorly bred
– “Not cut out” for gundog work
When in reality?
They’re just processing information and emotion differently than other dogs.
The Brain Science Behind It (Don’t Worry, I’ll Keep This Simple)
Here’s what’s happening in your dog’s brain:
The left hemisphere handles positive emotional states.
The right hemisphere handles fear and negative responses.
And here’s the thing you need to remember ..
Each hemisphere controls the OPPOSITE side of the body.
Studies in humans have shown that people turn LEFT when answering questions that trigger negative emotion… and RIGHT when responding to positive emotion.
The same principle applies to dogs.
Watch which way your dog turns away from something scary, and you’re literally seeing their emotional state play out in real time.
Small Changes That Make a BIG Difference
Once you understand this, you can make tiny adjustments that have MASSIVE impact:
When turning a nervous dog away from something frightening, turn them to their RIGHT, it might help.
Approach anxious dogs from the right side (and ask your vet to do the same).
Watch their tail wag during training, but particularly during correction:
– Wagging more to the right = happy, confident
– Wagging more to the left = concerned, uncertain
These things can tell you so much about your dog.
The Key Points For Anyone Training Their Dog
Many dogs are ambidextrous.
A left-pawed dog — particularly a young male — may shift as they mature.
But a strongly paw-preferenced dog?
They’re telling you exactly how they experience the world.
Good training isn’t about treating every dog the same.
It’s about understanding the individual dog in front of you — their instincts, their motivations, their emotional responses, and yes… their limitations.
Paw preference is one more piece of that puzzle.
And now you know something most dog owners (and even many trainers) don’t.
Looking for some pet gundog training? Check out this page on our website.
Want more quirky facts about your dog? Check out our Free Skool Group.
