Attention Seeking Behaviors - How Do I Make Her Stop?

[hvhung]

My Melody is 4.5monts old. She's been with us for 2.5 months and has learned to go on the pee pad. So let me explain our setup a little better. We have a small room setup just for her. The room has glass sliding doors so if we are in the living room she can see us. She has pee pads in there, food and water, lots of toys, and her crate. When are out or can't watch her, we put her in her room with glass sliding doors closed but leaving her crate door open (crate is where she likes to lay down and where she sleeps at night). She does very well when after some playing time in the living room or in her room, we take her to the pee pad and tell her to go pee pee. And even goes back to her room by herself if she's playing in the living room with us there. So she obviously knows where she should pee. But if she feels like she hasn't been given enough attention for a particular day, she will deliberately pee NOT on the pad, and pull the pee pads up (we buy the ones with adhesive in the back and they stick to tile or vinyl floor very firmly), not go poo, not eat, not play with her toys and whine none stop if she can see or hear us until we go accompany her. And as soon as we go spend time with her, she will get very happy and start eating, drinking, pooing in 2min. So on her good days when she feels like she's the center of attention, she is a sweet little pumpkin pie, but on a bad day, it is very problematic to say the least. I personally think she's just been spoiled by us and has the doggie equivalent of attention seeking disorder. But I don't know what to do. Anyone has any advice? Please. Thanks so much.

[FlDebra]

Actually at this young age, I think they do need a LOT of attention, cuddling, and spoiling. Like you, I got mine a little on the young side. If they had stayed with their mom, they would have had the constant attention of siblings and mom. So, I figure, if we bring them home young, we have to give them all the attention we can.

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Actually at this young age, I think they do need a LOT of attention, cuddling, and spoiling. Like you, I got mine a little on the young side. If they had stayed with their mom, they would have had the constant attention of siblings and mom. So, I figure, if we bring them home young, we have to give them all the attention we can.

I have to agree. They are like skin babies; they need tremendous amounts of love & attention.

Your best bet is to meet her need for attention needs BEFORE she starts demanding it. If you wait until she demands it, you're setting yourself up for trouble and unnecessary power struggles.