Demanding attention!

[Wallee]

Question: how much time does your little one usually demand to be played with?

I have always walked Wallee at least once or twice a day (only once now that the weather is getting colder) and played with him inside with his toys.
He is a terrific sleeper at night (has slept through since I got him at 11 weeks) and most days even goes back to sleep for an hour or two after we get up and he does his business.
It just seems that for the rest of the day until we go back to bed at night he "demands" to be played with. He will bring toys to you and bark and whine if you ignore him. He will take intermittent "cat naps" during the day however it seems that once he is up and moving, the demand for attention is "non stop".
He has just turned 8 months and was neutered two weeks ago so am wondering if this is the energy/attention seeking I can expect from him for the rest of his life?

[rubymoon2072]

oh my cedric does this. he has since we got him and at one and a half it has gotten much better and hes neutered but he will still tell you when he wants you to play with him. i am more stern if i cannot play and tell him no hell whine a bit then go and play with his sisters. having two other yorkies that will play with him has also helped a lot.

[cummins]

He is just a puppy he will out grow it

[enchilila]

Betty Boop is 3-1/2 years old and she loves to play ALL day. When I sit down, there she is with her squeaky ball or anything else she can find. She needs a playmate! Seriously, I love playing with her. When we are not playing, she is sleeping in my lap. We occupy each other's time and she is my best friend.

When I went to the breeder's house to pick a dog, there were two. They were identical in looks and size. One was very quiet and reserved and the other one was running in and out of a plastic grocery bag!! Guess which one I chose. LOL I will always regret not getting them both.

Have fun playing!

[Teresa Ford]

Play Time Queston : My dog wants to play all the time. I have work to do. I need her to stop buging me. Please help !!!

#
Play is a form of bonding. Why does my dog always try to get me to play ? Because you give in. You must start and end together play time. She can play all she wants by herself but, she should not whine or guilt, you into playing with her. You must teach her a new cue word, like Enough, ( or what ever you want to use.) Promise yourself, now and forever when I say Enough it means No, Stop it right now, I am busy, entertain your self, forget it, maybe later and I am the Mommy and I mean it. etc... Enough is Enough. Start today, do not give in. Give the cue word Enough. If she is too annoying with her demands, take the toy and put it out of reach and out of sight. If you give in one time, you have to start all over with the retraining again. Even if you want to play with her. Don't let her start the game. Say the cue word Enough. Now go to the kitchen, bathroom or yawn etc. Make sure there is at least a 30 second delay. You start play time with a clap and say the cue for play time, we use, dogs name and cue PlayTime in a happy voice. When you are done playing praise your dog. Like Good Girl give her a pet. Cue with a happy, That's Enough. Have a routine that you do that says play time is over. Put the toy in her toy box or up some where and end the game on a happy note. If your dog always has to ask for play time, please set aside a special routine time to play, even if it is only 5 minuets. All adult animals instigate play. It is a form of bonding. You should play with your dog every day. Playing together should be when you can enjoy it, not because she is bugging you.

[My lil friend]

We have a routine and if someone else is caring for Mina,I leave a schedule.
Morning snuggle (under my laptop),pottie,breakfast,get dressed (play a bit),hang with the doggie siblings or mommie while she sews,sit in "MrMans" lap during cocktails,dinner,PLAY for an hour or so,snuggle,bedtime,,,repeat the next day.
We also have short playtimes throughout the day when in the backyard for pottie and at midday cookie time. It all about routine,so they know what to expect.

[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.

[Wallee]

Wow..once again, some very helpful insight. I am going to start working a little more with his obedience as he loves to do that when it involves getting treats..lol..I want him to learn that we will play when it is play time and that he needs to settle when it is time to do that too. He does look out the window of our sliding door onto the street when he wants to, however our street is pretty quiet most of the time and he gets bored doing that.
He also is not much of a chewer so even his bully sticks (which seems to be the only thing he will chew on) bore him sometimes and he will go days without touching them when I offer them. (except to bump them out of my hand. ) I feel bad for him as we have 4 cats who he tries to play with but they only will run past him once or twice to engage him and then jump up on something he can't reach teasing him. I think the problem with them is that when he runs with them, he bumps them with is nose and barks at them.
I worry that he will become too dependent on my to keep him amused as I am currently unemployed however will be looking to go back to work very soon.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Wallee

Wow..once again, some very helpful insight. I am going to start working a little more with his obedience as he loves to do that when it involves getting treats..lol..I want him to learn that we will play when it is play time and that he needs to settle when it is time to do that too. He does look out the window of our sliding door onto the street when he wants to, however our street is pretty quiet most of the time and he gets bored doing that.
He also is not much of a chewer so even his bully sticks (which seems to be the only thing he will chew on) bore him sometimes and he will go days without touching them when I offer them. (except to bump them out of my hand. ) I feel bad for him as we have 4 cats who he tries to play with but they only will run past him once or twice to engage him and then jump up on something he can't reach teasing him. I think the problem with them is that when he runs with them, he bumps them with is nose and barks at them.
I worry that he will become too dependent on my to keep him amused as I am currently unemployed however will be looking to go back to work very soon.

Here's some thoughts that may or may not be helpful.

Usually a dog will adapt to his owner working once he understands a change has taken place. Mostly only rather unstable dogs in some way or the other become "dependent" on their humans so that they can't adapt to living without them for a few hours during the day. If yours is insecure, unsure of himself, you might have some problems. It sounds like you picked out/wound up with a highly-motivated "people"-type dog that needs a strong schedule of human involvement to keep up with him. Usually that kind of temperament is good for some type of companion or service dog. These people-oriented dogs can be a challenge.

In general when picking out a dog, so many people pick out the dog that readily comes to them and is very friendly, not stand-offish and very interactive with them over other, quieter ones when they choose a dog and a lot of time those dogs need a lot of human time to be most fulfilled. My Tibbe is one of these and he requires a good deal of involvement but he has no separation anxiety as he's otherwise fulfilled and knows he'll get his Tibbe time.

If yours does get anxious when you go back to work, use the techniques for desensitizing separation anxiety and that can help bridge the change.

If you feel you have truly given him enough time and stimulation physically and mentally for the day and he's back wanting more, teach him to "Go to your spot" or "Crate up" or "Go to bed", gently guide him to his bed with a piece of food, tell him to stay and be sure he goes by saying "uh oh" and gentle returning him to bed or his spot when he comes back. At the same time, you might want to work with his impulse control in the "lie down" and "stay" separately as part of your training, teaching him the fine art of staying down, even when he might not want to do it. He will soon learn that when momma has had enough, work, play and such is over for the day.

Or you can invite him to lie right next to or on you, as I usually do, with Tibbe. (This gets pretty warm in the summer but it's what we like! lol!) Either way, they will come to accept it if you are as determined as they that you are done for the time being or the day.

[Wallee]

Thanks again Jeanie

Wallee was actually the most laid back of the litter. The breeder said when the others would wrestle and stuff he would just sit back and watch. He is very good when we go out and leave him. We put him in the kitchen with baby gates and as soon as one goes up, he heads to his bed. He is pretty much a calm submissive type.
I only recently lost my job so he was used to me going to work. I do try to make sure that I go out a few times a week still so he is used to being left alone.
He will sit and do down, however I guess I have to teach him to "stay" as we don't seem to have mastered that one yet. If we have company over and he seems to not want to stop playing I will put him in his space in the kitchen while we eat and he will go right away to his bed and sleep.
I guess the only complaint I have is his continuous need for us to be "playing with him" while we are trying to watch tv or anything that doesn't mean we are paying attention to him.
He will start "talking" and it escallates to barking if we keep ignoring.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Wallee

Thanks again Jeanie

Wallee was actually the most laid back of the litter. The breeder said when the others would wrestle and stuff he would just sit back and watch. He is very good when we go out and leave him. We put him in the kitchen with baby gates and as soon as one goes up, he heads to his bed. He is pretty much a calm submissive type.
I only recently lost my job so he was used to me going to work. I do try to make sure that I go out a few times a week still so he is used to being left alone.
He will sit and do down, however I guess I have to teach him to "stay" as we don't seem to have mastered that one yet. If we have company over and he seems to not want to stop playing I will put him in his space in the kitchen while we eat and he will go right away to his bed and sleep.
I guess the only complaint I have is his continuous need for us to be "playing with him" while we are trying to watch tv or anything that doesn't mean we are paying attention to him.
He will start "talking" and it escallates to barking if we keep ignoring.

I wasn't so much addressing your situation with Wallee in that statement as all readers of this thread entitled "Demanding attention!" in general now and in the future when I said so many do choose that super-friendly puppy, but thought if it did fit or not, it would be good for new-to-dog readers to know. Because it is true. And many of us are surprised when the super friendly dog winds up to be the pushy one, demanding attention night and day.

But as you have seen, any pup can develop into a pushy dog if they sense a chance, but especially that friendly, people-friendly puppy or dog that knows no strangers when one goes to pick out a dog.

No doubt all your sudden time at home has seemed like a big Christmas gift to him and he thinks you are his new activity! Plus, he's growing up and being a Yorkie, is pushing his boundaries. And when you are watching TV or have visitors, a strong sense of jealously and/or wanting to be the center of attention can really push them into becoming demanding.

Sounds like a nice structured schedule of some training, head-work with interactive games, hunting for things by smell, searching for hidden toys, etc., then play, then nap and mommie time would work out nicely for him, along with some impulse control training and lots of positive reinforcement when he learns to sit or lie down and stay, gradually increasing his down times until he falls asleep. All dogs have to learn that they matter, their needs will be met but that there are boundaries and mommie will lovingly and gently teach them those and help me abide by them. It's a learning experience for them, growing up and trying to find out what is expected of them and what they can get away with! lol. Good luck to you and your little one as he learns the ropes.

[gracielove]

A young dog does have boundless energy and I think terriers have an extra amount of go go juice. At least two good brisk walks a day are needed in order to help wear off some of that juice. If you can't take him for walks then try playing fetch inside. It is going to take some of your time. If you had a baby and it cried you wouldn't just ignore it would you? I hope not. If you really work at running down the motor of your dog then you don't have to feel guilty when you say "no" if they are over doing it. I think the issue here is being able to distinguish between a real need to run off energy and a pup just being pesty.

A dog with too much unattended energy will become destructive. Teaching basic obedience commands not only helps with bonding but helps with the dog's understanding of what you are trying to get across. When you have a dog that will sit, stay, and down when you tell it then you have a dog that will know what "no" means and will obey.

Gracie is an energizer bunny. I take her on at least 2 fairly long brisk walks a day and we have at lest 2 games of fetch a day. Sometimes when I am busy with other things she brings one of her toys to me and that means lets play. If I'm busy I tell her "no!" It's a heart breaker for me because she is so good. She will give me the sad look, put her head down and stare at me with those adorable eyes. Usually if I can't get to her for a while she will fall asleep right there. Of course that means she gets extra attention when I can give it to her.

I have heard way too many "animal experts" on television telling people to get a small dog because it does not need as much exercise or care. These little dogs are full of energy and need to have it attended to properly just like a bigger dog does.

[Wallee]

Thank you both so much for your suggestions. I do play a lot of fetch and walk him every day and I am going to try some search find it games. I believe that a little more firmness is in order as you have mentioned as he needs to learn when to "turn it off" after we have walked and played for a while.
I am willing to do whatever it takes to try to burn off his energy as I know from many shows I have watched that a dog who doesn't get enough exercise is a frustrated dog.
I'll work a little more with making sure that he is totally walked out and played with inside and then try reinforcing some "quiet time" when he needs to give my some time to do things I need to get done.
I appreciate all the advice you give as I know you are all seasoned yorkie owners and he is the first of this breed I have owned. I am still learning the ropes myself and have to say he has been a delight so far as he is pretty calm most of the time. I am sure that like mentioned he is trying to push for attention just like our children do when there are people around.
I'll keep you in the loop as I try to work out a routine that works for both he and I.

[Cherie6446]

Zoey whined and barked at me constantly unless I was playing with her. At 10 months I rescued a little maltese boy for her friend. This helped greatly. Brother and sister. He loves her more than she loves him but I guess that's the way some relationships are. lolol