Do dogs do intentional things with their feet other than walking/running? Perhaps they projected this onto you.

My dog knows how to ring poochiebells with his paw to be let out.[1] I also know a dog who will frequently use her paw to lower the phone in your hand or shut the lid of your laptop as if to say “pay attention to me, not this”.

[1]https://www.amazon.com/PoochieBells-Original-Handcrafted-Col...

after training me over some weeks, my dog now paws at me to give her belly scratches (and reassurance in general). =)

I have the exact same ones (for each floor). :)

I used to live with a dog who really, really loved to be petted. He would hop up next to you on the couch while you were reading a book, on a laptop/phone etc and very deliberately hook your forearm with his "wrist" (not sure the right term, first major leg joint above the paw) and pull your hand/arm towards him for pets. Cute the first few times but he was so persistent and deliberate about it, it became a little annoying!

Mine would paw for attention or use it to paw/scratch open a door, shake or “high-five” on command.

And of course, nearly every dog uses them to scratch their own itches.

Of course. My sister’s dog is small and careful not to get stepped on, but when she wants attention (which is often), she steps on people’s toes to get it.

My dog often uses his “hands” to get our attention or to ask for doors to be opened.