Attention seeking behaviors
are anything the pet does to get
the pet parent's attention such
as nudging, pawing, leaning,
vocalizing, running around in
circles - you name it!
Remember this rule of thumb:
Anything that gets attention
(rewarded) gets repeated
(because it gets the pet what is
wanted).
Medical
Rule-Outs
Have
the pet examined by a veterinarian,
including laboratory testing
to try to determine if there
is a physiological component
to the insecurity or anxiety.
Diagnosis
The
diagnosis of attention seeking
behavior is based on ruling
out other possible causes, then
initiating treatment and observing
for improvement. If the problem
is a weird or unusual behavior,
it may be necessary to videotape
the pet while all people have
actually left the house, since
pets continue as long as they
sense a person on the premises.
Treat Resistant Pet Attention
Seeking Behaviors
Time
Outs
It
may be necessary to give the
pet a "time-out"
if the attention seeking behavior
does not stop when it's
ignored. A time out means that
either you leave the room or you
put the pet in another room for
a short time of social
isolation. This is a punishment
because you are taking away
something the pet wants, in this
case the pet does not want to be
away from you and your
attention. A time out
should be no longer than five
minutes for learning to take
place.
After rejoining the pet, try to
set up the same circumstances
that result in the pet repeating
the unwanted attention seeking
behavior. If this behavior
occurs, repeat the time-out. The
pet will learn much more
quickly, if you demonstrate
cause and effect a few times in
a row or within a short
period of time.
Corrections
Corrections
are the last resort because
the pet may still prefer a
correction to no attention. The
best
corrections are "environmental"
ones. This means the pet does not
associate the correction with
the pet parent but instead
perceives this response came
from the environment.
Examples
of environmental corrections
and interruptions (if the pet
does NOT see you associated with
them) are sudden noises, objects
or water flying through the air.
NEVER throw anything at your pet
only nearby.
Very rarely,
and only as a last resort with
supervision from a veterinary
behaviorist or positive methods
trainer, you may need to have
the consequence product
something more unpleasant (NEVER
painful) such as using a scent or
electric collar.
It is very important that the
owner not say anything, or call
any attention to themselves
during these corrections. The "thing" does
the correction, not you.
Remember that your pet will
choose negative attention
over no attention.
Your attention needs to be
carefully applied to your
pet's learning. |
Medication
Medications
are reserved for those few cases
that do not respond to routine
treatment. Before beginning
any medication, the pet needs
a complete medical exam by a
veterinarian
including blood work to check
internal organ function. A
veterinarian needs to administer
and monitor medications in
cooperation with a veterinary
behavior consultant to provide
maximum safety and behavior
modification results.
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