whiny/super-needy

[Marta's Pa]

wondering if this is typical/ a stage of development. my girl marta, just over six months, has had a bit of a personality change in the last couple weeks. i had her spayed almost a month ago. lately she has been whining in the crate a lot, i've had her in there since day two (8 weeks) and it hs gotten worse though she isn't spending any more time in there. her activity levels have increased if anything. also she won't really leave me alone. she wants me to play with her NON-stop. if i dont she barks at me, does the paw on the lap thing, gets basically really bitchy. i was just unsure if this was a adolescent stage or if i have been reinforcing the behavior somehow. any tips on how to let her know that now is not play time. the whine might be the most terrible sound i know of right now. it seems to pierce my brain. thanks for the advice.

[warrior1]

Welcome. Don't pay her any attention when she acts up in her crate. Doing so will reinforce the behavior. Let her whine. My "new" boy is 5 and he has been here 2 weeks. He started with the whining in his crate. I payed no attention to him at all. When I come home, I don't acknowledge him and I let him out when all is quiet. It lasted 2 days. He got the hint. As far as her demanding attention i.e. pawing, barking at you and demanding attention, ignore that as well. She is acting bossy and ill mannered, she is testing you and the more you give in to her "cuteness" ( and they sure are cute) the more she will do it. Just be consistant and let her know you are the boss. Is she in any classes? They need structure, they are very smart and will take a yard given an inch!! Good luck

[karenjean]

I know that our trainer told us (most emphatically) that we, the humans, are to intiate play and acts of affection, not the dog. The demanding attention is a way to assert dominance. We do things like if Harley comes over and butts my hand for a petting, I make her do a trick or go fetch a toy for me before she gets an ear rubbing. If she jumps on the couch without permission, she gets down till I invite her. She has to down and wait for her food until I release her. She has to sit and wait while i hook up her leash and is the last one out of the door or up the stairs. All this stuff is my way of saying I am the boss, you are not. It is not just one area of life but constant.

We were told for younger dogs that everything should be earned and nothing given just because they demand it. If she gets too demanding she goes outside or to her crate. Sometimes she just has too much energy and so we go for a walk.

I am by no means an expert but have found for our girl this works well.

[FourLeggedChildren]

I agree with Karenjean. Terra likes to think on occasion that she can get what she wants, until I 'put her in her place' - meaning, if she comes over with the nose nudge, I tell her to lie down, or ignore it completely.

i've said it before that it's better to break a habit before it becomes one. Same goes for crating. Terra initially didn't like going in, but being firm & consistant will win every time. It IS tough, b/c they are so friggen cute, but in the long run it's better for everyone!
Goodluck
Scott

[Marta's Pa]

thanks for all the advice. i've been working with her in that way, it just seemed like her needy behavior increased lately so i'll just have to keep my end up. she is so damn cute. thanks again for all the help.