Recently, by which I mean increasingly over the last few weeks, Frodo has decided that he needs to be right on top of me and very pushy in trying to get my attention. When I am on the couch on my computer he will jump up next to me and push his head under my arm/hand, lay his head on my hands, or just move right into my space and make it impossible to type. If I ignore the behavior he just seems to get worse, trying harder to get me to pet him and he will sit and bark at me. If I give in and pet him he will lay down and that's the end of that...until I stop. Then he starts all over again. It's annoying, it's rude, and I would really like it to stop.
I know I need to ignore it or not let him on the couch at all, etc. but I don't want him to think I don't love him! I know, I KNOW! That's not how it works, that's not how dogs think. I know that is exactly what I would tell people if they came to me with this problem, but I can't help it!
Maybe I feel guilty about working so many hours or about not having Izzy as a playmate for him anymore, regardless I am letting him get away with a behavior that drives me insane.
Right now he is working on a stuffed kong because I don't want to have to tell him not to be pushy for attention. I've also started working at the table instead of on the couch to avoid the situation. I need to be more firm and consistent with him, but even as I type this I know that I will give in when he looks at me and leans into me when I try to push him away! Erg.
In other news, he isn't only becoming pushy with me. He is becoming pushy and guardy with Mollie as well. Since I brought him home I have spent some time having Mollie sit next to me and feed both of them by hand, with Frodo only getting his kibbles when he is relaxed and not right up against me straining to get the kibble so Mollie doesn't. And it's been going pretty well.
Recently though, I have been using higher value treats for shaping games and if she wanders over to see what is going on he will growl and rush her. He doesn't make contact, but even what he is doing right now is unacceptable.
Sometimes this dog drives me nuts.
Well you know how to fix it, you just have to be motivated enough to do so. Another solution though would be to teach an incompatible behavior and reward the hell out of that. Whether it's a go mat trick, a "visit" where he rests his head on your knee, or something else.