Doesn't want to share attention
Wendel wants undivided attention and doesn't like to share it with Asterisk. He was very, very much loved in his previous home and was lavishly spoiled. Asterisk, too, has been spoiled since I got her. But when she tries to seek out attention, Wendel will sit right in front of her and block her from myself or Josh. I have been making it a point to give them both attention, and I know that it has only been a week, but does anyone have a suggestion on what to try? I don't want Asterisk to feel like she can't get love, and yet I don't want Wendel to feel as though he is bad for just wanting love. Help! |
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| They will probably sort it out themselves. If Wendell gets too "pushy" about it, Asterick will finally put him in his place. Some girls are much more patient than others. Melody would have put him in his place the very first time. Mariah.................well let's just say if she had been a boy I'd have called her Job! I've never seen such a patient dog, not even the boys. |
| When it involves the humans:
For both of them, have them earn the attention. If they nudge you, climb on your lap on the couch - they don't get what they want. Ignore them, tell them "off", or whatever you do at your house. We just went through the exact same thing when our foster Otis came a few months ago. He is a real clinger, and part of his past issues was he decided when he got attention and it got WAY out of hand with his previous living situation (not his original home). Growling, nipping, refusing to get off furniture...etc. We went back to ground zero, and praised the heck out of him for goods, and gave him the cold shoulder for bads. We were very conscious of being consistant with what was allowed and what wasn't, by all family members. My dogs (all 5!) were given priorty and he had to wait his turn. He is doing fabulous, and actually is getting a new home the end of this month. However, I am writing a plan down for his new family to follow through, so he doesn't regress in his new house. This is just a transition phase, and now is the time to set the house rules, so he learns them and can get through this . He is most likely confused, and for sure stressed to some degree. Dogs fall back on default behaviors (not always the most desired behaviors  ) when stressed, so it's up to you to get him through it as smoothly as possible, and with the best results as possible.  |
Quote: have them earn the attention.
This is huge. Great advice. Sunny's an awesome dog, but when we give her too much free attention, she starts to think she's alpha again. She's ok being "Beta", but deep down inside she wants to be alpha. |
Tiggy is the same with Rastus. She hip and shoulders him out of the way and barks in his ears because she knows he hates it, that sheepie bark is a killer on the ears. 
A couple of things have helped they have to sit at my feet and we go through all there tricks one at a time for treats, praise and petting. They get to come and sit on me  one at a time at my invitation and at least 3 times a week I take them out separately for walks or obedience training.
Mind you it only helps, both mine think they should be top dog and its an ongoing battle which we mostly just ignore. Except for the sheepie barking, THAT we cant ignore for fear of perforated ear drums. |
Mim wrote: ... that sheepie bark is a killer on the ears.
pot casse. For years I kept reading that about Sheepdog barks. Finally got out my HS French Dictionary. "Broken Pot". Have you ever listened to the ring of porcelain? Then imagine a porcelain bell with a crack in it. A little off-key and with a hard edge to it, just enough to grate on your nerves. I think that sheepdogs snore most melodiously, though. Puts me to sleep when I've had a hard day. |
| Ahhh, someone told me once that pot casse meant broken bell, broken pot makes more sense to me.
Maybe they should have just called it broken ear drums.  |
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