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02-09-2006, 07:24 AM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 268
| Attention I am not sure where I should post this. But my lil guy is starting to get alot worse with begging for my attention. He used to bark to get up on th e couch so I got him stairs. He never liked when I sat down on the computer but he got over it pretty quick. Lately he has just been out of control. If I am sitting at the table he sits at my side and growls and barks. If I am standing at the sink or anywhere for that matter he has started to scratch on my legs and bark. How do I fix this before it gets any worse. The shake can seems to be affective when he would bark out of control but I feel bad doing it all the time because I feel like he is just doing it because he wants to be in my arms. Please someone harden my soft spot for me. |
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02-09-2006, 12:38 PM | #2 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London
Posts: 1,739
| Well, I think the first thing you have to do is decide WHEN it is acceptable for him to ask for attention and when it it not. Be clear about it in your head so that you can be consistent. You also need to figure out HOW it is acceptable for him to ask for attention. And, it would be best if you also figured out WHAT you would like for him to do instead in those situations that it is not okay for him to demand attention. The number one rule is do not reward behavior that is unacceptable to you. If barking for attention is unacceptable, NEVER give him attention when he barks. Barking dog = invisible dog. The minute he's quiet = you are the best dog ever!!! I'll give you some examples of how I handle it with Joey. Because I tend to sit at my kitchen table while I'm on the laptop for long periods of time, it is okay with me if he nudges me with a toy for me to throw or play tug-of-war with while I continue what I'm doing. If he sits the toy down beside me and whines, I hold down my hand and tell him to hand it to me (which he does). In those situations, I then hold the toy while he tugs on it and throw it for him when he lets go. If he barks, I ignore him. Barking doesn't pay. It is not okay with me for him to solicit attention while we are sitting at the same table eating a meal. He's now been taught to lay on his "blankie" (a towel) for long periods while we eat. He's not yet to the point of staying there the whole meal, but several prompts (& several rewards!) get us through. The only time that I'm okay with him barking at me is when his water bowl is empty. When he stands by it and barks, I do respond! Otherwise, barking doesn't get him anything. There are 2 principles here to keep in mind 1) behavior that is reinforced increases in frequency. If you reward barking (like with attention) barking will increase. If you reward a quiet down, quiet downs increase in frequency. The second is: Train an alternate, incompatible behavior. He can't scratch your legs if you put him in a down. Does that help any?
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02-09-2006, 06:11 PM | #3 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 268
| Yes! Thank you so much.. I just need to reassured that it is ok to ignore him when he is barking at me. He has not started barking while we eat. He just runs under out feet waiting for something to fall. So far so good tonight. I will def use your advice as soon as he starts. I heard a lil whimper before so I am sure that it is coming soon! Thanks again! |
02-09-2006, 06:43 PM | #4 | |
Luv My Bug! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: california
Posts: 1,573
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