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Attention Seeking Behaviors
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Monday, November 6, 2006
This is attention seeking behavior??
Does your dog:
1. Bark at you when he wants you to throw the ball?
2. Throw his paw in your lap to demand petting?
3. Grab your shoe, look you dead in the eye, and take off running?
Those are all examples of attention-seeking behaviors, and if your dog does them, it means that they're working for him. Do you throw the ball when Fido barks? Of course you do! And Fido just learned that barking makes good things happen. It's hard to resist the old paw move ("It's like he has hands!!"), but not all of your guests will appreciate it, or the slobbery chin on the knee. And the grab-n-go trick is nothing more than a way to engage you in a good game of catch.
Dogs do what works. I repeat. Dogs do what works. If barking gets Fido what he needs from you, you can be sure that barking will stay in his repertoire. But, if you simply dropped the ball and walked away every time he barked, what do you think would happen? Sure, he'd get frustrated, but he'd soon figure out that the only way to get you to throw the ball is to remain quiet. Your neighbors will thank you.
What if Fido is barking to demand his dinner? Try putting his dish down and leaving the feeding area. Come back in as soon as he's quiet and resume filling his dish. If the barking starts up again, cut and run. Repeat until your very hungry dog is able to remain quiet. It's not easy, but I swear that it works.
Why do I have a picture of that glorious pink belly at the beginning of this entry? That, too, is an example of an attention seeking behavior. The fat belly in the photo belongs to Zeke, my Boston Terrorist. Both he and my Boxer, Sumner, have learned that I do not tolerate attention seeking behaviors, so there is no demand barking, thievery or paw swipes in our house. But, they also figured out that I will drop everything - grocery bags, my toothbrush, the TV remote - and rush over to them the minute they roll on their backs and act like otters. I can't help it - it is really, really cute to see a 65 pound boxer posing on his back like a puppy. Then it hit me that this sweet little wiggle is nothing but an attention seeking behavior in disguise! They do it when they want their dinner, when they're bored, when they want me to play with them, when I've been on the computer for too long....
And it works every time.
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Attention Seeking Behaviors
This is attention seeking behavior??
Does your dog:
1. Bark at you when he wants you to throw the ball?
2. Throw his paw in your lap to demand petting?
3. Grab your shoe, look you dead in the eye, and take off running?
Those are all examples of attention-seeking behaviors, and if your dog does them, it means that they're working for him. Do you throw the ball when Fido barks? Of course you do! And Fido just learned that barking makes good things happen. It's hard to resist the old paw move ("It's like he has hands!!"), but not all of your guests will appreciate it, or the slobbery chin on the knee. And the grab-n-go trick is nothing more than a way to engage you in a good game of catch.
Dogs do what works. I repeat. Dogs do what works. If barking gets Fido what he needs from you, you can be sure that barking will stay in his repertoire. But, if you simply dropped the ball and walked away every time he barked, what do you think would happen? Sure, he'd get frustrated, but he'd soon figure out that the only way to get you to throw the ball is to remain quiet. Your neighbors will thank you.
What if Fido is barking to demand his dinner? Try putting his dish down and leaving the feeding area. Come back in as soon as he's quiet and resume filling his dish. If the barking starts up again, cut and run. Repeat until your very hungry dog is able to remain quiet. It's not easy, but I swear that it works.
Why do I have a picture of that glorious pink belly at the beginning of this entry? That, too, is an example of an attention seeking behavior. The fat belly in the photo belongs to Zeke, my Boston Terrorist. Both he and my Boxer, Sumner, have learned that I do not tolerate attention seeking behaviors, so there is no demand barking, thievery or paw swipes in our house. But, they also figured out that I will drop everything - grocery bags, my toothbrush, the TV remote - and rush over to them the minute they roll on their backs and act like otters. I can't help it - it is really, really cute to see a 65 pound boxer posing on his back like a puppy. Then it hit me that this sweet little wiggle is nothing but an attention seeking behavior in disguise! They do it when they want their dinner, when they're bored, when they want me to play with them, when I've been on the computer for too long....
And it works every time.
dogsindeed at 3:42:00 PM EST Blog about this entry |
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This entry has 4 comments: (Add your own)
-
LOL I too am a dog trainer and also have a 14 week old Boston Terrorist whom I rescued at the age of 4 weeks...
And like you, he has learned that I will drop whatever I'm doing when he rolls on his back and just looks at me with that darn face.....can't resist. And it is usually when I've been on the computer...I have a laptop and spend alot of time working on it while sitting on the couch. If I dare to ignore him, he then resorts to tactics like trying to sit on my keyboard or my head...That is when I pick up the laptop and move to a spot he can't reach. Once he stops I'll put it down and play with him...He's slowly learning...but dang, that belly in the air thing gets me! lol
He even sleeps like that too.
Found your site by accident and I'm glad I did....Good luck...I know I'm def going to tune in for more...
Lee -
Have you ever tried giving your dog a high-value chew or activity toy when you leave? The Kong toy is a really great way to keep your dog happy and busy for an extended period of time (if you stuff it correctly!)...even better, the new "Kong Time" dispenser:
http://www.kongtime.com/
It's not cheap, but my clients who have it swear by it! Giving your dog something to do while you're gone helps relieve boredom and anxiety...of course, I'm making the assumption that you're not gone for 10+ hours!
Good luck!
- Victoria -
I have a min schnuauzer and he s 2 years old Ive tried every thing to get him to stop barking when I leave my apt any ideas pls HELP ME .....
11/17/06 2:58 PM
- Victoria