Training Tips and Tricks: Attention Seeking Behaviors

Does your dog ever just stare at you and bark? Or jump on you when you’re trying to get work done?

These actions are considered attention-seeking behaviors. In most situations, attention is something our dogs naturally crave. We need to remember that giving them our attention, even something as simple as eye contact, can be a huge reward for our dogs. 

As you interact with your pup, try to keep in mind what behaviors you are reinforcing, even by mistake!

If your dog barks at you and you look at them and give them attention, you just told them, “YES, that worked to get my attention! Do it again!”

With that in mind, keep note of what behaviors you are reinforcing, even if you don’t realize you’re doing it! For example, if your dog barks at you.

The same goes for jumping- if your dog currently jumps on you, there is a good chance you’ve reinforced it in the past, maybe by petting them, or even pushing them off.

Obedience training can help to curb these unwanted behaviors and teach you great ways to redirect these attention-seeking behaviors to something more appropriate.