[yorkietalkjilly]

Dogs are attention hogs, it is true, but more than that I think when they are a few months old they are seeking a real connection to us, more than just play, if possible. Dogs are canines, genetically programmed to roam their territory hunting, chasing, catching food, hiding it, fighting off scavengers, etc. from their property and busy with day-to-day working activities of protecting and hunting for the pack, communal living, eating, mating, caring for smaller dogs and, at the end of the day, maybe snuggling up to another dog for sleep.

I think when a dog lives in a house or apartment, his natural instincts and the work activities they would be doing in the wild are fairly blunted and they look largely to us to help fulfill their lives. Tibbe would much rather "work" at his obedience than play with a toy with me.

If you can give your little one a job to do, some training, obedience, agility in the home or yard, earth dog trials or anything that will involve the two of you working together toward something. My dogs have always been fulfilled by obedience and learning tricks and "guarding" the house. Besides play, try to get the mind involved in learning some things like obedience and some of the interactive games where they have to think some.

Does your little one have access to a window or two to watch out in order to "protect" the house from the critters and "bad guys" outside? Tibbe can spend hours watching out the windows and patrolling the house. That's part of his job. I reward him for barking/alerting me when a car goes down the alley, a big truck goes down the street and stops near our house, someone or some critter walks onto our property or rings the doorbell, saying "Good job" or "That's my good security chief" and usually giving him a little kibble treat. He will stop barking on command, which I also taught him. So he sees protecting the house as part of his job. I call him my little "Security Guard" or "Sheriff Tibbe" after a good watching session and he seems so proud. He'll lie down and nap so happily after long hours of watching out the windows and keeping us safe!!!

Another thing I do is talk to Tibbe during the day, to keep him involved in what I'm doing. Somehow I think he thinks that he's being included in the activity because he comes over and watches me closely and attentively as I work away and talk to him, taking the time to show him things or give him something to sniff, examine and take back up. That seems very satisfying to him and he rests after I work!!!

Those might be some things to help your dog have a more interesting and productive day.