jealous or protective?
I want to work on correcting the behavor because it is getting annoying. I would like to try to understand why she is doing this so I can think about how to correct. Thanks |
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| Mine do this because they can't stand not to be in the middle of any affection that's being shared. When we are in the mood to share the love, we do. When it's annoying, we push them out.
Ironically, and disappointingly enough, this characteristic of inserting themselves between any two people hugging never extended to my children and their dates. I had really counted on my sheepies' chaperoning abilities. But on the more practical matter: how does Miley behave? Does she growl? Show her teeth? Wiggle her butt and try to lick everybody? If she is showing any signs of agression--teeth baring, growling, etc. you must stop this behavior immediately. The most effective way that I know is to simply walk away, and totally ignore her, or else remove her from the room in a time out. But I'd recommed walking away: bad behavior = no attention at all. If she's simply trying to share the love, then it's up to you to decide how much you and your loved ones wish to tolerate. You can correct this more pleasant but annoying behavior in the same way: walk away, and ignore her. Give her attention only when she's sitting or lying quietly, when YOU want to give her attention and affection. |
| Thanks - Miley is annoying but for the most part well behaved. Although, I have to work on her jumping up in these situtations. We have conquered the home coming (hello - where you been all day) jumping up but she still is wiggly and sometimes jumps when getting between hugs. |
| I see this happening in dog parks all the time with my Helka. She will get in the middle of action to break it up.
I don't think its jealousy or need to get all the attention to herself. Nor do I necessarily see it as being protective of anyone, either. I think it's the little herding dog Helka who just needs to have animals (and people) behave in an orderly fashion so that any possibilities of fights breaking out are eliminated. After all, people hugging look a lot like dogs wrestling. The situation doesn't even have to appear that aggressive. I think prevention is the key for Helka. Sometimes she forces other dogs to drop their stick when she sees that there's a third dog who's taken interest in it, as well. You know, just to make sure there won't be a fight over it. She herself couldn't care less about the stick. I guess what you could try out with Miley, is to gradually get her used to you hugging your family. Start with short, half-sided hugs. Gradually work your way up to a proper bear hug. Hug a lot! The more you hug, the faster Miley learns that no chaos results from people embracing each other. Reward Miley when she does not invade your space. For example, when she waits for you to finish your hug, give her a treat. To make this work, you need to start really short and small and not give Miley any reason to think there's some order that needs to be brought back. |
Pearl and Heart both do this....I always thought they just want to be involved in EVERYTHING we do including the hugging and kissing....  |
| My Winny does this all the time. We call her the great moderator. She needs to be in the thick of everything. When we go to the dog park she tries to keep other dogs from rough housing. I always assumed this is their herding nature and as long as she isn't aggressive I don't pay much attention to it. However, Winny does try to wiggle between my husband and I when we hug. We have deterred this by pushing our legs together and sqeezing her out. It doesn't hurt her and it sends the message that she's not welcome. You could try a simple NO when she/he does this too (also very effective - but can spoil the mood). |
redmam7 wrote: We have deterred this by pushing our legs together and sqeezing her out. It doesn't hurt her and it sends the message that she's not welcome.*** You could try a simple NO when she/he does this too (also very effective - but can spoil the mood).
***and the leg squeezing doesn't hurt the mood.  |
| not really, because she got the point after a few times and hasn't done it since. |
| Winston is always in the middle too. It can be annoying but I figure there are worse things he could do. He is also called "Dog Cop" at the dog park. He runs from end to end making sure there is no " tom foolery" going on. It is pretty fun to watch, but I keep a close eye on him when he does this. I have found that some dogs do not like the "dog cop." |
| I call my Helka the Park Police! And she loves it, too. She thinks she's so important when she's policing the park! |
| I took my two males to the dog park yesterday for the first time together. Before we got Toby, Charlie would love to go and he too acted like the dog park police, rounding up groups of dogs and inserting his big butt in between two dogs if it looked like they were going to mix it up.
With both Charlie and Toby on patrol, I was amazed to see them apparently working together to herd the other dogs. They would circle a group of dogs on opposite sides, nipping at their heels if necessary. If one tried to break out, they would run him down, one on one side as the other headed him into the other. Then they would march the poor dog back to the group. No training-- purely instinctual behavior. I had to apologize to the owner of a retriever whose dog looked completely bewildered when she had been taken into custody by my two sheepdogs. He was pretty understanding and laughed and said it must be similar for herders to do that just like his retriever couldn't resist chasing balls. They finally met their match when two large greyhounds showed up. It was comical seeing two bounding bundles of fur trying to catch up to those speeders. |
| Morgan and Marley (in her dog park days) always herded the other dogs - not always appreciated by the owners. Now Morgan is sherrif. WHe plays with the other dogs but if two of them get rambunctious he runs over and does this front leg stompting thing - too cute. If they continue on he gives a few warning barks. which usually gets their attention (probably because he has this high pitched little bark that looks so out of place coming from this 100 pound dog) |
| that is my derby he won't let anyone love on me either we are working on that one!!! |
| I honestly think its a sheepie trait! very interesting! I also believe the nose under elbow and push the elbow out of the way to get attention is a sheepie trait too. |
Not too long ago when my SO got home, he leaned toward me to kiss me and Genevieve jumped right up between us and kissed him square on the mouth. I think she really thought it was her kiss I was stealing.  Silly Sheepies. They do love affection. |
| Chopin has this trait. If ever I am hugging someone he is right there ready to be in the center of the hug--I think its cute so I don't mind, but I can see how it could annoy some--and heaven help me if I'm sitting on the couch with someone--oh he must be in between the two of us at all times--Chaperone? Jelousy? I think he just likes the attention, lol. |
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