I have a question: my dog (female, 18 mos. old, mixed breed) does this thing where she will back into or lean against one of us and bark at the other person standing in the room. For instance, if my son and I are talking, she will back into him and bark at me. She usually will have one foot on his, or will be leaning on him. Her bark is playful, her demeanor is also playful. Her ears are soft, her tail wagging and so I've felt she was trying to participate in the conversation - or something. She's been doing this for almost as long as we've had her (one year). Recently, I've begun to wonder if this is a challenging stance or am I making too much of it? Does anyone have a clue why she does this, what it may mean and what if anything we should be doing about it?

Hi Kimberly
Well I am not a pro but what you are describing to me sounds like your dog is demanding attention from you or whom ever is doing the talking. Have you done any OB training with your dog? If I understand correctly your dog is over 1 year old. Some dogs are very pushy about the way they get peoples attention and the way they demand that you stop what you are doing and pay attention to them. If you have done some basic training with the dog, when it shows this type of behavior put it in a down stay or a sit stay which ever it does best and say "QUIET" make sure you are ready to enforce the command. Have you had any other issues with behavior similar to this one? By that I mean does the dog demand attention from you at any other time? From my experience this just sounds like a little bit of dominant behavior that can be corrected with ease as long as you are consistant. What mix is your dog? I don't think this is a showing of protection because you said the dog is in Play Mode but this would be an annoying habit that must stop if the dog lived in my house <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> . I expect good manners and when I don't get them I do what I suggested above. I hope this little bit of opinion helped maybe some of the more experienced will jump in with some suggestions. Good Luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When I want attention I usually get in between my wife and whomever she is talking to and bark. Acknowledge the dog's presence...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This may not have anything at all to do with dominance - it may simply be a behavior that started from a moment of frustration at being ignored. If the behavior succeeded in getting some attention, then it was positively reinforced and thus has been accidentally perpetuated by the owners. Mine do something similar when they want a chew toy - they'll stand in my face and bark nonstop. Has zippo to do with dominance; it simply made me laugh the first time they did it and it got them their bone, so of course they continue to do it. "Demanding attention" is usually not about dominance; it's usually our fault cuz we've accidentally (or knowingly!) rewarded the behavior in the past.

Haven't posted in a while. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Lee posted;

 Quote:

Demanding attention" is usually not about dominance; it's usually our fault cuz we've accidentally (or knowingly!) rewarded the behavior in the past.

This is the bigggest mistake owners make, and
yes we all do it. Some may not admit it but it's our biggest fault as owners.

Nice to be back!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

See all the good feed back your getting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> What Lee said is so true and he is right it probably is not about dominace it's just about a behavior that was positivly rewarded and now continues. They are right we are all guilty of this at some point or another. So if this behavior bothers you then you now have to work on fixing it. You have to let your dog know pushing it's way in for attention is not acceptable. I wouldn't want my dog to interupt me everytime I had a conversation so I stop it, then when I am finished,and my pup has behavied appropriatly I praise and reward the dog for waiting. You will have a better dog if she knows that she is not the one dictating when she gets attention, you are.