One way to modify demand behavior is to find an incompatible behavior – one your dog can’t do at the same time as the unwanted one – and reinforce that. Lucy, our Cardigan Corgi, has an annoying habit of demanding her meal – in a very shrill voice – when two of our other dogs get fed first (necessary for pack management purposes). She’s a very vocal dog anyway, but her mealtime barking is particularly annoying.
As he nudges or paws harder, or barks louder, he’s saying, “Hey! Hey! I want it! I want it now! This used to work, darn it! Hey! Hey! Give it to me!” It’s the equivalent of kicking the soda machine when you’ve put your money in and it won’t give you your drink – before you finally decide to walk away without the soda.
While I really don’t mind Missy’s nose-nudge, when she comes and sits by my chair, I do try to notice and pet her before the nudge happens. She also knows that my “That’s all!” cue means petting is done; it’s time to leave me alone. And if the nudge escalates to “paws scratching on my leg” I tell her “Oops!” and turn away.
The other way to modify demand behavior is to remove all reinforcement for a previously reinforced but now unwanted behavior; say “Oops!” and turn away. This is “negative punishment”; the dog’s behavior makes the good thing go away, and when carried out to its conclusion (the behavior goes away entirely), it’s called “extinction.”
Recognizing that those with opposable thumbs are more able than he to open doors, throw tennis balls, and operate can openers, a dog spends a good part of his time figuring out how to manipulate his humans into making good stuff happen. Although he’s never studied B.F. Skinner and the science of behavior, he knows exactly how operant conditioning works. He repeats behaviors that make good stuff happen or those that make bad stuff go away, and controls himself from repeating behaviors that make bad stuff happen or ones that make good stuff go away.
Dogs bump you with their noses constantly. To them, it is a form of communication, to you, it is a cold reminder of their need for attention. Dogs often do this to get your attention for a variety of reasons. They typically want to be petted, played with, walked, or given food. Usually, it is pretty obvious what they are going for to most pet owners, but not all cases are so cut and dry. Some canines will do it for completely arbitrary reasons. Some will do it for no other reason except you sat down and others because of a mood change like you got sad or grew angry.
Dogs touching you with their noses when they are looking for attention typically originates as a learned behavior. They do it because it works. For example, if your dog comes up and touches you with their nose and you pet him so they will stop, they will quickly learn that petting is your response to being hit with their nose. The behavior becomes cyclical and constantly reinforces itself each time you have that response. Correcting learned behaviors can be fairly simple. It may be annoying to deal with for a while, but the key is to not engage them when they come put their nose on you. Eventually, they will learn that is no longer getting them the reaction they seek.
Some dogs may nudge you to inform you that you are in their spot or on their favorite blanket. It is their way of telling you to move. Regardless of why they are nudging you, after you have interpreted what they want, consider not giving them what they want if it is something you prefer they not beg for it. Most attention seeking behavior can be curbed by simply providing them with something else they can use to occupy their time such as bones or toys they can play with that do not need human assistance. However, do not give your dog a bone to occupy his time when he nudges you. That will simply teach them to nudge you with their nose whenever they want a bone. It is also why a toy that they do not need you to play with is important.
If you choose not to hire a professional trainer, then following the correct steps should quickly adjust the behavior. Start with identifying what they want. Once you have identified what they are looking for, evaluate if you are okay with the way they communicated that information. Decide if you are okay with that method of communication. If you want to encourage that method of communication for that thing, then, by all means, give them what they want. If you would not like them to hit you with their nose, then when they try it to get something from you, then sit there, cold as ice.
Ignoring begging, nose prodding, or even occasional barks at you will work quickly to adjust and correct the behaviors. A cold wet nose can be quite annoying but that annoyance grows exponentially when it becomes overbearing and attention seeking behaviors. Thankfully these behaviors can be easily corrected given enough time and patience.
A Sign of Aggression
In some cases, the nudging can be undesirable especially if it becomes an act of defiance, to exert control over you.
You will notice this when the nudging becomes too much just so your dog can get what he wants.
This may be accompanied by excessive barking that is usually unnecessary.
Once this happens, it is important not to reinforce them.
These behaviors need to be corrected immediately by training them. You may want to enlist the help of a professional trainer for this.