Your Dog Sleeps All the Time
Dogs need mental stimulation and exercise to live a long, healthy life. The adage that we do not stop playing because we grow old, but we grow old because we stop playing holds true with our canine counterparts. If Rover spends most of the day snoozing, it might mean your dog needs more attention. Set aside time every day for a special training session or some indoor playtime to boost their energy and strengthen your bond.
Your Dog Shows Signs of Depression
Yes, even dogs can get the blues. Are you addicted to a cell phone, tablet or computer? Does that addiction mean less time for playing, walks or tummy rubs for your dog? Some dog depression symptoms include a disinterest in food or play, destructive behavior, no longer greeting you at the door and suddenly having household accidents. Get outside, go somewhere, and spend some device-free quality time with your dog to brighten your dog’s spirits.
Sometimes a dog who is having emotional stress or feeling depressed will urinate and/or defecate in the house. If your dog suddenly starts having these symptoms, seek veterinary help to rule out any underlying medical condition. Bored dogs might also occupy themselves by chewing on furniture, digging in the garbage can or barking incessantly. If your dog suddenly shows signs of bad behavior, they likely need some attention.
Whining is his song of the week
Whining is one of many ways that canines communicate vocally. “Dogs most commonly whine when they’re seeking attention, when they’re excited, when they’re anxious, or when they’re trying to please you,” says Dr. Nelson. While more vocal breeds (terriers or toy breeds, for example) may be more prone to whining, any dog can learn to do it for attention if that behavior leads to you looking at, speaking to, or otherwise interacting with your pet.
But you shouldn’t necessarily give into your dog’s demands for attention at this time. “Any acknowledgment of the whining may end up reinforcing that behavior,” says Dr. Nelson. “Instead, wait for a gap in the whining to praise your dog for being quiet, and give attention and treats then. It can be tricky to be more consistent than your dog is persistent, but over time, your dog may learn that quietly sitting for attention earns more rewards than whining.” In case you were wondering, this is what happens to your dog when you say “I love you.”
Biting can be a very concerning behavior. Aggressive dogs will growl, bark, or snarl, as well as potentially show their teeth and have a very tense stance. Play-biting is a different thing altogether, and it can be adorable and a clear sign your dog wants some affection—pronto. “If your pet is play-biting (or pulling at you for attention), then he’ll do it because he’s having fun with you, and it’s a sign of affection,” explains Dr. Nelson. “He will look happy, bite gently, and may even be lying down.” If you see these 11 behaviors, your dog might need obedience training.
How do I know if I’m giving my dog enough attention?
Are those sad puppy-dog eyes just a ploy for another treat, or is your furry friend really missing you at the end of the day?
“One of most people’s biggest complaints is that there’s not enough time to do everything, yet we bring in animals that have high needs,” says David Levin, owner of dog walking and training company Citizen Hound. “All dogs want is our time. Chances are the answer is no, our dogs are not getting enough attention.”
Levin warns that a dog that isn’t getting enough attention will probably start to act out in a negative way. “A dog without adequate physical or mental outlets will look to entertain themselves, often times by destroying your favorite shoes, eating a hole in your pillows, ripping up the couch or getting into the trash.” He adds that since these activities are fun for your dog, and often aren’t punished in a timely manner, they tend to turn into bad habits for your pooch.
Celebrity dog trainer Joel Silverman says you may just notice your dog wanting to be closer to you. “Smaller dogs sometimes want to be held more. If you have another dog, you might even notice your attention-seeking dog nudging to get in between you and the other dog.” It’s important to note that while this move may be cute, encouraging it will only start aggression issues between your dogs.
Levin says lack of attention can also cause symptoms in your dog that you might not realize are related.
“The frustration felt can lead to separation anxiety, leash reactivity or aggression,” he says. “It might seem more obvious to have it spelled out, but not many people think about the fact that an under-exercised, under-stimulated dog bounding into the dog park can cause a dog fight for themselves simply by greeting other dogs improperly and being overbearing.”
According to Silverman, your dog’s reaction to lack of attention might vary according to your dog, but it also depends on how you react.
“Remember that your dog will quickly learn what does and what doesn’t grab your attention according to how you respond. If you tend to cave in to unreasonable requests for attention, you will get even more obnoxious behavior in the future,” he says.
Basically, if your dog starts acting like a jerk because you’ve been working too much overtime, don’t drop down on the floor beside your chewed up stiletto and give him a day’s worth of attention. You might just come home tomorrow to a pile of chewed up leather. Instead. make a mental note that you need to make some changes, and get on that ASAP.