Puppy Pre-Schools in Sydney – Book – Attention Seeking Behaviours

Puppy Pre-Schools in Sydney – Eazy Dog Training – Attention Seeking Behaviours

Attention-seeking is quite common and, within certain limits, normal.

While it is quite normal for a puppy to jump up at you when you greet him or whine when you leave him alone, if these behaviours are excessive or present in adult dogs, they usually indicate a problem. Encouraging the repetition of a certain behaviour, will increase it.

Our challenge with attention seeking is to identify and stop encouraging it. Giving attention to your pup while he is seeking for attention, encourages him to develop bad attention seeking habits and use them whenever he wants to get your attention. And unfortunately most of the attention-seeking behaviours can turn into neurotic and obsessive behaviours if your dog is encouraged to continue them or if he is under stress and uses them to cope with his stress.

Attention-Seeking Dog Behaviours

Although some of these behaviours seem to be harmless, some of them may become annoying and, in certain contexts, a little dangerous. Furthermore, they indicate a problem.

• Begging
• Nudging
• Barking
• Whining
• Biting or nipping you
• Jumping up on you
• Rolling over
• Pawing
• Nosing
• Sitting on your feet

Why are some puppies needy?

Puppies can have lots of reason to become attention-seekers. The most common reasons are boredom, not receiving enough exercise (mental or physical) and learnt behaviour (puppies learn quickly what works and what doesn’t).

How To Deal With Attention-Seeking Behaviours

• Give your dog attention only on your terms. Establish clear limits.
• Avoid looking at, talking to and touching your dog when they are showing bad behaviours.
• When your dog tries to get on your lap, don’t allow it and stand up.
• If he adopts behaviors like barking or whining, ignore him completely. No look, talk or touch! If it doesn’t work, remove him from the situation.
• Inform others about your rules so they act consistently to get effective results.

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