​Don't leave it up to guesswork about the size of the paws.While there IS a size gene, there isn't a test currently available to test for size (the folks at Muttmix are working on it though!)
In the meanwhile, your best bet is to know the breeds in your mixed breed pooch. Once you know this, you can determine the best way to stimulate and entertain your dog, potential genetic health concerns and so much more.

---

Can You Predict the Adult Size of a Mixed Breed Puppy?

www.vetstreet.com

Fabulous website - well worth a visit)

---

Q: We just got a great puppy from our local shelter. We love this dog, but we're really hoping he doesn't get too big. The shelter guessed he was a Chihuahua mixed with Terrier, so I'm hoping that's true to keep the size small. Is there any way to know for sure? (Don't worry, we're keeping him, regardless!) 

A: Guessing the adult size of a puppy of unknown origins is tricky business, to say the least. Many experienced shelter workers and more than a few veterinarians are pretty good at it, but true size soothsayers are hard to come by.
As you've already guessed, if you know what breeds went into the mix, you can get some sense of size. The problem is that some young pups are so mixed up that it's anyone's guess. You'll need to take your new puppy to the veterinarian anyway, so that's a great place to start asking around. If you want to up the odds of an accurate estimation, request a DNA test. They don't work every time, but they can quickly sort the issue out.

The other way to predict a puppy's adult size is to look at his paws: Big dogs start out with relatively big puppy paws. But, be warned, nothing is foolproof. A well-regarded expert and friend once adopted a puppy from one of the nation's best-known shelters. After commiserating with the vastly experienced shelter staff, they guessed the pup for a terrier mix and predicted an adult size of 30 to 40 pounds. That little puppy grew up to be a 90-pound tank of a dog. So much for the experts!

Punishment (corrections) can have the side-effect of causing distrust, fear, possible injury and/or aggression. For example, rubbing a dogs nose in "it" can cause him to avoid going to the bathroom in front of you, 

"The sobering truth: more than half of all older dogs have arthritis." Are There Red Flags Which Signal Arthritis in Its Early Stages?

The more you study the behavior of canines, the more you’ll recognize that genetics play a big part of any dog’s attitude - the more you know about your dogs breed makeup, the better