Dogs tend to enjoy being watched and quickly learn how to get their favorite human’s attention. As long as your dog doesn’t go overboard, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes the four-legged friend wants to communicate something important. However, problems can arise if the behavior gets out of hand because the pet looked as annoying.
If the dog is under-challenged or not well behaved, the pet can call for excessive attention. Here’s what you can do about it:
Defend The Beginnings Through Consistent Upbringing
Dogs have a variety of ways to get your attention. The basis for unwanted behavior that is hungry for attention is laid in puppyhood. Then the bad manners of the four-legged friend do not bother so much and are very cute. Do you stroke your little bundle of fur in delight when it jumps up on you? Then later, it will very likely jump up on all sorts of people to be petted.
The puppy begs and perseveres with his heartbreaking dog look at the dining table? If he gets a bite because of it, he’ll keep trying. If your dog is allowed to tear up the previous day’s newspaper for fun and is recognized with attention, it may not stop at important files or homework books.
These are examples of dog training inconsistencies that result in your dog not knowing what he can and cannot do. And after all, he just does what gets him the most attention, that is, what pays him the most. It doesn’t matter whether your reaction is friendly or angry. The main thing for the animals is that they are noticed.
So that it doesn’t get that far, you should consistently enforce rules even with cute puppies and not allow any exceptions.
Find The Causes
Sometimes dogs just want to attract attention, and the concentration of their favorite human is a reward for them. The attention is primarily due to the above-mentioned educational errors. The behavior has taken on a life of its own. Nevertheless, it is advisable to pause for a moment and consider whether the dog might not have another reason to draw attention to itself.
Four-legged friends who feel under-challenged, are bored, and are underutilized often show destructive, undesirable behavior. This happens because they have nothing better to do and realize that by doing so, they are causing a reaction on your part – which in turn breaks the boredom at the moment.
However, suppose your dog also appears very stressed and panicked. In that case, especially if you leave him alone, separation anxiety can also be behind it, which he wants to draw your attention. In addition, sick or injured animals try to hide their pain so that their suffering occasionally only manifests itself as a change in behavior or character. If you have any doubts about whether your four-legged friend is only asking for attention or if he wants to communicate something, go to the vet as a precaution and have him checked out.
Dog Wants Attention
You should always offer him an alternative for desired behavior. Otherwise, your four-legged friend will not know how to behave and will be insecure. Teach him, for example, that he can gnaw on his chewing bone and romp around with his toys but leave paper, shoes, and furniture alone. Reward him when he lies down to rest instead of jumping on the sofa.
Ignore Undesirable Behavior, Reward Good Behavior
You can teach alternative dog behaviors by consistently ignoring bad behavior and rewarding good behavior. For example, if your four-legged friend jumps up on you, turn away and ignore him, not even with a little sideways glance as soon as your four-legged friend stands still with all four paws on the ground or sits down, caress and praise him. Maybe give him a treat too. He then receives attention for desirable behavior and is punished through negative reinforcement, disregarding it if he does not follow the rules.
Here you must remain consistent, always. If you give in even once, your dog will learn that he just has to be annoying long enough to get what he wants. As a result, his behavior can get even worse. If you don’t trust yourself to enforce the rules so strictly on your own, get help from an experienced dog trainer or animal psychologist.
Employ The Dog Appropriately And Avoid Boredom
If you have trained your dog consistently and are very healthy, boredom is probably to blame because he is demanding attention. The only thing that helps is to employ him appropriately so that he doesn’t get stupid thoughts.
For example, bring him food or an intelligence game, start a dog sport or teach him tricks. But, of course, the activities should always be adapted to the nature, temperament, breed-typical characteristics, and preferences of your dog and should not be too strenuous or too easy.