Dog A-Z > B > Behaviour problems > Attention seeking

Attention seeking

This can include:

• Whining or barking - when you are busy doing something that doesn't include your dog
• Stealing items of clothing or anything that makes you chase after your dog

Possible causes include:

• Inadvertent or accidental rewarding by owner - i.e. giving attention (nice or nasty!) to your dog when he demands it by doing any of the above

Example - Why does my dog whine and pull on my clothes when I'm trying to have a telephone conversation?

During the telephone conversation all your attention is focused away from your dog. He may well sit next to you and then go through his repertoire of training - sitting, standing, laying etc in order to gain your attention, but because this behaviour is unobtrusive it doesn't work. He will then try other things and, of course, 'bad' behaviour will gain your attention and get a reaction from you. Barking and pulling at your clothes will work, as it interrupts what you are doing - with time your dog will learn to do this to maximum effect, whenever he wants your attention.

Dogs that crave attention do not differentiate between nice attention and being told off - so punishment won't have the desired result.  The dog will be happy as long as his owner acknowledges him.

So, what can you do?

• Start by training a really good ‘down-stay’ using a hand signal e.g. the flat palm of your hand moving downwards towards the floor.
• Once your dog knows what this means, hide some treats in your pocket and get a book. Open the book, hold it in one hand and walk around the room pretending to read it, with your other hand out in the ‘down-stay’ signal. Look at the book, not your dog (who should hopefully still be in ‘down’) and count to ten. If your dog is still quiet, put the book down, remove the hand signal and go to your dog to praise and reward with a treat. If not, wait until he is quiet before rewarding and next time reduce the count time to 5 or less and work up. 
• Repeat this many times, slowly increasing the amount of time that you ask him to lay quietly. Then start again, without the book this time but still not looking at your dog and just using the hand-signal.
• This hand signal can now be used whenever there is a situation where your dog’s barking for attention is a problem.  
• Make sure that you give him lots of ‘free’ attention every day. If your dog is seeking attention because you ignore him unless he’s annoying you with his barking, you won’t be able to stop him – all dogs need social and physical contact and as far as they’re concerned a telling off is better than no attention at all.

Further information/courses of action

• See a behaviourist or trainer if necessary, especially if the attention seeking involves aggression of any sort.