Am I creating a monster????

[Gayle Miller]

Hi everyone....we're now into week 3 with our dear little pup, Jackson!  Like all of you, I wanted to make certain he had a chance to bond with me (us) and his new home and spent most of that 1st (and a lot of the 2nd) week on the floor with him.  He loves to run for his toys, etc., but his most favoriate place is always coming back and bouncing on my lap....so cute...hugs, licks, etc.  Well, now that he's more confident of his home (barks when he hears a noice outside and is into EVERYTHING) for the 1st time today I'm noticing that after I give him "quality time" on the floor together and get up to get some things done, like washing some dishes in the sink, he stops what he's doing, follows me and stands there and barks at me.  I ignor him and tell him "no bark" with my back to him.  He continues. So I wanted to see if, in fact, he wanted me on the floor....and yup....that's exactly what he wanted!  I want to give him all this wonderful puppy attention, but I'm so off track with the rest of my life!  Have any of you experienced some sort of spoiling the puppy with too much attantion???

(BTW, first time photos of Jackson to be posted within the next 2 days.  Have an appointment with an IT guy tomorrow at my husband's office!  yeah!)

[Becky and Murphy]

Hi Gayle....can't wait to see pics of Jackson.  What you described with Jackson, is exactly what we did with Murphy...and he acted just like Jackson is.  I think it's great...he feels confidence and love and starting to "own" the place!  Murphy too barks a lot when he wants more attention!  We are just so head over heels with Murphy...and personally I don't care if he's too spoiled or barks while playing or just needs some TLC.  He already feels like such a good buddy to us!  I think all of this will mellow over time anyway.  We have found that rolling up a magazine with a rubber band...and smacking it on our own hand, so that it distracts him (if he is barking annoyinly or chewing on our hands)....he actually settles down when I hold up the magazine, and he sees it.  Enjoy your time with Jackson....so excited to see his pics!   

[Lynda Kamrath]

Don't worry.  Spoiling a puppy is like spoiling a baby.  You just can't give them too much attention or love.

[Adina P]

I disagree with that for pups.  I think if the pup is DEMANDING attention through undesirable behavior then responding by giving in will only train the pup that barking gets attention and it will be harder and harder to break.  You can never love something too much or spoil something with love.  But you can spoil an animal via behavior that will only cause problems later.  Like if you're talking to someone and your child starts pulling at your sleeves, do you then turn to your child and ignore the person you were talking with and start a whole other conversation with your child?  Or do you address your child quickly, remind them about politeness when two people are talking and return to the conversation you were having?  I guess the situation would determine things, but most of the time it would be bad training to stop your phone conversations, stop everything you are doing because your child says 'Pay attention to MEEEE".

[Gayle Miller]

Yes, I see your point Adina.  And when I let common sense kick in, it seems to be working (most of the time).  Jackson has just begun barking when he knows I'm preparing his food.  I tell him firmly, "no bark", turn my back and do not put the bowl down until he's lying quietly on the floor.  It's hard not to cave sometimes but it was the same with my children and you just persevere!  Thanks for your comments!

[Gayle Miller]

ohhhhhh...thanks guys!  Your words help!  Should have photos no later than Thursday!  Thanks!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thank you Gayle for the update.. can't wait for photos..we will be right behind you starting Friday.. glad you are going through everything first:)..hugs

[Gayle Miller]

Mimi...tomorrow is your big day!  Good luck and enjoy all those hugs and licks!  Keep me posted!  With Jackson turning 11 weeks yesterday, it is amazing how you begin to see their understanding of certain words, routines, etc.  He now tries to outsmart me if he gets something in his mouth that he knows I'm going to take!  Never a dull moment!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

It's cute for now - but think about a full-size Jackson doing that ;) 

 

Luna gets no attention if she's being like that - if she is asking "nicely" (standing looking at me wagging or just putting her head in my lap) then she gets attention. If she is clawing or barking, we don't even look at her, let alone say anything to her or pet her.

 

It's slowly working; she is much nicer when asking attention from everyone now.  Think about it this way:  Would you want Jackson to behave that way with a guest?  What about a small child?

 

It's up to you how much you want to spoil your pups of course, but make sure they are asking for it in a way you can tolerate for the next 10-15 years ;)  Once Luna got older than about 4 months old it got less "cute" :p

 

[Lori]

He will only be a puppy for so long....give him all the love he needs! It doesn't last forever. Casper is a Snuggler, but he also has his time alone behind the couch...kiss that little puppy & play with him all you can!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I am thrilled to hear that it is okay to spoil these babies...

[shelly]

LOL Gayle!  tori still does that... if I am upstairs she comes to me, sits and just looks at me and barks.  sometimes I think she may need to go out and I just 'missed the ringing of the bells', but 99.9% of the time she wants me to either go down and play with her or just sit on the couch next to her.  If I sit down, she jumps up and lays next to me with her head on my lap.  It IS funny and adorable, but she has to know that no means no... which usually works now - if she doesn't have to go out. She has trained ME to go down and reach for her leash and go to put it on her.  If she bucks and quickly turns away I know she doesn't need to go out and tell her no and go right back to what I am doing... it works (most of the time).  good luck!  Just stick to your guns (and dishes) no matter how cute he is!  Just make sure you do give plenty of playtime on your schedule.  Can't wait to go look at his pictures!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Gayle -

I know that this is undesirable behavior, but I want to first say that when I read your post & pictured it in my mind, little Jackson sounds awfully CUTE!  Sorry - I had to say it.  I wish Bexter would be more of a lap type dog...He just likes to lay on the hard floor & play with toys as long as he's in the same room as me though! (Better than nothing I guess)  Your little guy sounds so cuddly, and yes, maybe a little spoiled.

I'm no expert (you know I'm just 4 weeks ahead of you), but I think you're right, he wants you.  I would not let him dictate to you when snuggle time or play time will be, etc. or you just might end up with a demanding dog who thinks he's running the show, which you don't want.  I guess I'd probably do what you do - say NO BARK or SHH or whatever (probably only once because then if you keep doing it you're giving him attention for the barking)- and then turn my back & ignore.  I bet other more experienced DK'ers will have some neater ideas, but I think it sounds like you're doing the right thing.  Keep it up!