I just had to get an idea of opinions of doggy dan's ignore rule

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I truly enjoyed the webinar and appreciate most of the rules from doggy dan. The one I'm having trouble with is the ignore rule. I love yogi's affection and attention, that is why I got him. I understand not acknowledging upon returning home, but I really wonder about ignoring him in general, so I wanted other opinions and thoughts on this one.
He is very well behaved, is this really necessary ?

Thoughts?

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I am taking it as if your dog is being pushy and obnoxious then you would ignore.  I see nothing wrong with my Bailey or Bruin coming to me and putting their head in my lap and me loving on them...Might be wrong but my doodles are well behaved (well at least Baileyis LOL)  too so I am not to worried about this step... Just my opinion..

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think if it ain't broke, don't fix it :)  I agree with Elizabeth. I think it referred more to a pushy dog. I say shower Yogi with all the love you want.

[Adrienne]

Ditto!!

[DJ & Chance]

I understood him to say that our dogs should not invade our space uninvited, which to me is different than ignoring our dogs. They should know the difference between, "sure, come on and give me kisses" and "not now" and also pause to determine which message we are sending.  I'm still working on this one, however!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I feel the same as the others above. There are times when Ragley is being calm, sweet, and loving and I will return the love in those cases. There are definitely times, however, when she is being a pushy, nosey, little brat and saying "look at me" "play with me" "throw this toy for me" etc. At those times, I have begun to totally ignore her and I have already seen improvement- now just to get my family on board!

[Brittney & Cally]

Agreed!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think it depends on the dog.  If you happen to have a calm submissive dog, it probably doesn't matter how you handle affection.  I don't happen to have one, so for me it is important.  I don't think Doggy Dan is suggesting that you "ignore" a dog....just that affection is doled out on your terms.  YOU decide when and how affection is given.  Here's how it works with my Murphy....he starts with the stare (he will stare at me trying to let me know he wants me to pet or play with him, then he moves to coming over and sitting where he can touch me, then he starts with the paw....and that point he's saying "what the Doodle is wrong with you, Mom...I'm right here and you need to play with me NOW".  It's him deciding on the terns of the relationship....it's him being the boss.  The problem with that is it then transfers into other "bossy" behaviors which are not at all "cute".  So I stop it at the stare....I just say "go lay down"....and he does.  Later when I'm ready I'll play with him or just go over and give him a cuddle.  I really think this is just one component of a much larger strategy, but it's one that is important for my guys.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is going to be an important one (and hard one) here.  AnnaBelle is so different that Lucy or Sophie either one were.  She is so loving, but she is also so demanding.  She uses that little black (oops JD said I can't call it little) ... she uses that big ole adorable black nose to get your attention be it when you are on the computer or in the car.  She is very demanding about it so we are going to have to work on this one.  The thing is I'm not used to calling them over for attention because she is always there now.  So not only do I need to start ignoring her demands, I need to remember to call her over or invite her up on the sofa.  She also loves to fetch where L&S neither one did, so we have enjoyed that so much with her.  However, again, she demands that you play sometimes so we are going to have to put this in place there as well.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think that the "ignore" has more to do with ignoring inappropriate behavior.  It's an old psychology rule for working with children.  Don't give attention to inappropriate behavior.  As a teacher, I developed another habit of just raising my hand to them which means "please wait".  Kids and dogs sometimes want your attention right away and will act inappropriately to get that attention.  When they get to know the raised hand, they know they will get the attention they are seeking but not at that moment.  Works for me.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I say ignore the rule and not the dog in your case.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We have always loved all over the girls when we come home and probably enjoy that as much as they do, but we have never been able to make them stay calm when someone comes in the door.  They don't jump up but the wiggle all over the place, in and out of their legs, much more aggressive than the loving on us.  We decided that if we implement that rule it will probably be the key to them stopping that attention demanding display to other people.  I was gone all day Tuesday and instead of doing my normal greeting I came home and ignored them, I can tell you it bothered me more than it bothered them.  I will miss doing that but I know it is a good thing in this case.

By the way, we also started using the thank you technique when Meg barks at the window, we did it three times yesterday, the first time we had to move her to the crate because she continued for a third woof, the second time was greatly improved and the third time I told her thank you and pointed to her favorite spot on the floor and she just laid down and stopped.  I believe once or twice more and that will be the end of that behavior.  Liking what I see so far.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Judy,
I agree on the greeting, letting them calm down before acknowledging. That makes sense to me. I know we've heard that from day one from the trainers. I'm trying to implement that also.

The rule I question for Yogi is the one that says you initiate everything like affection, play, etc. I'm not sure about ignoring him when he comes to me. I want to accept his attention when he comes over to see me for some loving, scratching, etc.