I do what I stated becasue my male is a VERY pushy dog (not really dominate....just pushy & wants his way, NOW, kinda dog)& I want to send a message. If he were less pushy I would handle it differently.

I think your responce to,attention seeking behavior, has to be based on the individual dog, not just a cookiecutter/one size fits all responce.JMO

I'm guilty of being quite physically affectionate with my dogs, too, and I have unintentionally "trained" them to seek out affection from me whether I offer it or not. Each dog has been a little different in that respect, some a lot more pesky than others. In my case, my two females have been much more persistent than my two males, but I don't think gender really makes much difference. It's just the personality of the individual dog.

My dogs that I'm talking about have all been Dobermans, and that is a breed known for having a strong bond with their humans and are often called "velcro" dogs because of their enjoyment of being in physical contact. I know the same can be said of many other breeds, too.

So, yes, I think it's perfectly normal, considering not only the breed but the way you interact with your dogs, Ram. I think it's a wonderful thing for dogs to be so well-loved, but if Helga is getting too pesky, I think you can discourage her without having to resort to punishment. My dogs have a basic understanding of what "Leave me alone," or, "I'm busy," mean. And if that doesn't work, I have resorted to closing my office door when I just can't pet or play with them when they want me to.

You posted here for advice with this issue, and I promise you I'm not making light of it, but as problems with dogs go, I'll take this one over a lot of others.

Thank you all for your advice. Since I created this topic, I have been far more aware of when I pet her and when I do not.


I have never punished her for seeking attention and never will. Once or twice, I have lost my temper and have scolded her when she has been too nagging.

I will consider using petting as a reward for her during training.


You see , we have a morning ritual. I wake up , and go sit with my dogs and I hug them and kiss them and baby them for 15 minutes. Each one gets their turn on my lap. All of them are addicted to this (includes me too ) and love it.

But once it is over, I need to get back to doing work and Helga comes back for more and more and more.


Anway over the past few days, I have tried to get a handle on it.

I think the velcro dog in my pack is Bommi. She never leaves my side. And she gets 10 X more attention than helga , only thing is she is so much more subtle in seeking it.

Anyway, It is a nice problem to have.

Love all my pups.

"Anyway, It is a nice problem to have."

Yes, I am addicted to loving on my dogs, too! And I don't plan to seek any treatment for it; I'm just going to keep on doing it.

Sometimes reading the posts on this forum makes me so happy. What a nice thread

 Quote: Jonathan Frost

Sometimes reading the posts on this forum makes me so happy. What a nice thread

The one that made me laugh out loud was "Just say no. You can do this!"

So I have been making changes to my behaviour and it is working, well sort of. I refuse to pet her if she asks for it. But now she just comes and sits down inches away from me and keeps giving me accusatory looks ... as if to say " No pressure, but if you ever feel like petting me, I am RIGHT HERE"

 Quote: Ramachandran Subramanian

But now she just comes and sits down inches away from me and keeps giving me accusatory looks ... as if to say " No pressure, but if you ever feel like petting me, I am RIGHT HERE"

That's pretty much how it works at my house, along with some skulking and an occasional moan. Don't worry, Ram, the sting goes away after a little while (for you that is...Helga will never give up completely).

She's smart. LOL