Member

Posts: 228
From:Grand Rapids, MI
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-23-2003 12:26 PM         

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Hi everyone, and happy holidays I have a general question that I know has been addressed to some extent in this forum, but I don't think this question specifically. My question is: Will my pug/beagle mix Cameron grow out of wanting attention ALL THE TIME? And I'm not exaggerating either. I know that she is home alone all day during the week, so we give her lots of attention when we get home,and give her a long walk and lots of play time, but after two hours of playtime she is still demanding attention, grabbing her favorite toy, a little soccer ball, and shoving it in our laps/faces until we throw it. Also, she follows me everywhere, even in the house, and everytime I sit down tries to jump in my lap. I know that she needs lots of love, and I try to give it to her, but after a long work day I need relaxation time too! I just wish she could play or lay in the same room with us, but more independantly, and not always demanding that we give all our attention to her. I remember my parents dog was like this, and now is much better. Cameron is still young (8 months), so is this something that she will grow out of as she gets older and has less of a desire to play all the time, or will this never change? Just curious- any responses/personal experiences would be appreciated!

[This message has been edited by puggleowner (edited 12-23-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-23-2003 12:53 PM         

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I have a feeling my answer...which is only my opinion, isn't what you are wanting to hear...I would say no, she won't grow out of it. Dooley will be three in January and he is constantly at my side or my husbands. He usually has a ball or toy in his mouth and wants to play. If it's not play time it's snuggle time. My husband and I have become very adept at tossing the ball while watching TV with very little thought...kind of like a robot or being on auto pilot. If we ignore him he sits in front of us staring and making a huffing noise, like barking in a whisper. I am home most all of everyday...when I am gone it's only for a couple hours at a time and not often that Dooley or Witt don't go with me. They still want our attention non-stop. I can tell them "chill out time" and they will lay down for naps...but it's close to us...if we get up to go to another room they follow. We call them "Velcro Dogs". I have herding type dogs so that may account for most of that. I find that I talk to my dogs so much that my husband has begun to tune me out...so that when I am talking to him caually...he won't hear me...when I say "hey!" he always says.."oh I thought you were talking to the dogs". It's a way for me to pay attention to them while doing other things I guess.
I am betting your pup will not grow out of it, she will probably always be focussed on you and what you are doing, want to be with you. Look at it from her point of view...what else does she have in her life? You are the food, the fun and the love.

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-24-2003 04:09 AM         

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I agree, Charllotte is 4 1/2 now, and still the constant center of attention. Just when you think she's worn herself out...nope! She hits another gear and burst of energy. They will wonder from time to time and chill for short periods of time, but thats about the extent of it.
She still very much a pup, and with the beagle in her, you've got quite an energy pup. Mine are both true heelers, and thats half of my problem, they want to herd, and have an awsome stamina...just wish I could have half of their energy!!!

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Posts: 26
From:adelaide/australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-27-2003 08:50 PM         

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ohhh i have the same problem with my female staffordshire bull terrier.
she is always right in my face wanting attention and when you dont give her attention she barks and wines until i give her attention. it is funny when she is doing it to someone else but can get quite annoying when it is happening to me.
my advise is to give your dog the the affection and hopefully she will get sick of the affection and leave you alone once and a while

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Posts: 169
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-29-2003 05:57 AM         

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puggleowner - have you ever tried just ignoring your pup after your long play periods and walks when she still wants to play or do you always give in? Max is definitely what I would consider a velcro dog. He follows me everywhere and can barely go outside on his lead to use the bathroom by himself. He does a lot of attention seeking behavoir like race around the house with our shoes in his mouth. But if we ignore him, not even discipline him, he goes and gets his own toys and lays down. I was going crazy like you because he gets 2 or 3 walks a day plus we play extensively with him. I thought he would never learn to be by himself but I too needed my own relax time. Over a period of time he finally did learn to settle down and amuse himself. Usually his alone time is when he's chewing on some kind of bone or something, so maybe you can try giving Cameron something to chew on and just put her in a down position.

[This message has been edited by NewLabOwnr (edited 12-29-2003).]

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Posts: 14
From:New York, NY USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-29-2003 08:29 AM         

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My miniature Schnauzer is also 8 months old! And up until one month ago, I would spend 24 hours of the day with him... but since I started working, I have not been around as much. I have a dog walker (I live in NYC) come walk him for an hour or so at 2 pm, and when I get home at around 5:30 I spend a lot of time with him, playing... and walking... and running.... and so forth. He is still a puppy and has a lot of energy. And I see this as a good thing... because it means he is healthy and happy. However, I do understand your frustration. I have been there. Sometimes all you want to do is relax and enjoy his company... and not have to throw a ball. Well- What I have done, is the following: I have set a time to play with porter when I get home from work... which is when he is most excited. Tire him out and show him that YOU are in the playing mode! Then, look at him, say... "no more"... pet him and sit down... and don't pay attention to him/her. Porter has gotten pretty good at this. It takes time. POrter now plays by himself at times, and it is so cute! We bought him this CUBE toy called IQ cube or something like that... where he has to put the balls into the cube and out of the cube...It's made out of some kind of cloth. He plays with this for HOURS! Also- don't make the mistake of "entertaining" him with food, like greenies. Porter loves greenies, and he will get them on very special occasions. but if you give him treats to leave you alone, it will be impossible for you to have people over... and eat... without him jumping on you for food. That would happen with my lab.
Good luck.
tina

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Posts: 169
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-29-2003 09:41 AM         

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I have to respectfully disagree with Porter's statement "...don't make the mistake of "entertaining" him with food, like greenies....but if you give him treats to leave you alone, it will be impossible for you to have people over." I don't quite understand how this is cause and effect. We give Max these Flip things occasionally when we can't occupy him and he seems bored. He does not jump all over us for food whether we have company over or not. He takes the Flip lays down and eats it and then is settled. On Christmas we gave the three dogs present bones from the meat shop and they left us alone the whole time we were opening gifts. I guess I just don't see how giving them a treat like this can cause them to start jumping all over you.

[This message has been edited by NewLabOwnr (edited 12-29-2003).]

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Posts: 14
From:New York, NY USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-29-2003 10:30 AM         

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NewLabOwnr- I just meant that for instance Maggie, the yellow lab my parents have, was given treats everytime she was a pain, and my parents didn't/couldn't play with her... and so it became an issue because when my parents had people over, she would expect treats, and jump on your lab, specially if you had food in your hand... and obviously, you cannot give a dog treats all the time. I think in Maggie's case, the cause and effect was very clear. I don't know. All dogs are different. Also, back then, we didn't have greenies, and I feel nothing works quite like them. But I do believe they are very high in calories. I give Porter greenies, but I just don't do it everytime he wants to play... which is puggleowner's problem. It's different in your case- if your dogs eats the greenies, and chill out. Plus- giving dog bones on christmas day, in order for you to be able to open gifts- it's not what Puggleowner was complaining about. I think cameron is extra hyper! It's an "everynight" thing.
tina

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