Author Topic: Is that all he wants? (Read 5243 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** October 21, 2010, 03:42:59 pm »

We have a lovely dog. He is good natured and well behaved. He comes when called and barks when necessary.

He is house trained, fed regularly, has access to plenty of drinking water, sticks, toys, lots of exercise (he comes with me on my marathon training runs) and plenty of variety and stimulation.

I look at him and he cocks his head to one side and returns my gaze. What does he want?

I pat him and cuddle him. He rolls over for a tummy tickle, a leg tickle, an ear pull.....

Is that all he wants?

Am I missing something?

Can a dog exist solely to be patted and cuddled?

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2010, 06:22:32 pm »

No, that is not all he exists for. He exists for your love, attention, friendship - and he is receiving all of that in unmeasurable quantity. He is a lucky lad.

faith0504 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:17:43 pm »

trust and security,

Rosemary · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:23:52 pm »

Sounds like he's got it made. He is lovely, though.

Nina · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2010, 01:51:37 pm »

Just a point - Hope that's an old picture of him as a pup as he shouldn't be doing marathon training runs at too young an age as not at all good for his growing joints - You'll pay the price as he gets older. He looks adorable though - And don't forget the training/discipline side of things - Else you'll have a spoilt child on your hands who could become troublesome... Labs are still working dogs (obviously some lines more than others...) and need to use their brains doing things like gundog work, agility, tricks, obedience or general learning how to be 'good' dogs with your household...

Sounds like he's landed on his feet though...

suziequeue · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2010, 08:02:36 pm »

Yes - that's a very old pic. He's one now and we go at a "senior" pace!!!

I totally agree with the other things you say though.

I don't think he is getting enough "intellectual" stimulation like training or work and he is getting a but troublesome. He has taken to butting his nose under my hand or arm. Annoying when I've got a drink in my hand. I'm sure it's just attention seeking.

knightquest · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2010, 12:25:18 am »

Sounds like he needs some extra work to tax him a little.

Maybe a bit of retrieving or even some scent work. That would give him a job to do which is what dogs thrive on

I'm glad he gets regular exercise, it's so important. Well done you.

Ian

doganjo · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2010, 09:03:35 am »

Quote from: suziequeue on October 25, 2010, 08:02:36 pm

Yes - that's a very old pic. He's one now and we go at a "senior" pace!!!

I totally agree with the other things you say though.

I don't think he is getting enough "intellectual" stimulation like training or work and he is getting a but troublesome. He has taken to butting his nose under my hand or arm. Annoying when I've got a drink in my hand. I'm sure it's just attention seeking.

He's a Lab isn't he

That is - A Labrador Retriever! Ian is right he wants to retrieve I suspect! Have a few things in your chair when you sit down with that cuppa or glass and when he comes over to nudge you throw something for him. A Lab should instinctively bring it back and you can do that as many times as you want. Better still go to training classes with him and work him.

Nina · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2010, 01:35:57 pm »

Or... train him to fetch certain things - i.e. slippers, newspaper, beer from the fridge (ok maybe not!), the ball, the raggy etc so he learns object discrimination and has to use his brain... Always ensure you instigate the play/work time - Don't let him come to you and demand that you throw things, fuss him etc else he'll learn that nudging you (or pawing at you as our old family lab used to do which hurt!) gets the desired result of attention (and attention can be good or bad attention - he's just looking for attention in general - So wherever possible try and ignore the bad stuff and praise the good stuff...)

Another good thing to train is the tidying up - So you train him to pick up all his toys and put them back in a toy box or similar! Labs should pick up these things quickly - Maybe using clicker training for shaping the desired result... Google it and you'll see some fascinating examples if you don't know what it's all about!!! Good luck!

knightquest · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2010, 06:33:11 pm »

Quote from: Nina on October 30, 2010, 01:35:57 pm

Or... train him to fetch certain things - i.e. slippers, newspaper, beer from the fridge (ok maybe not!), the ball, the raggy etc so he learns object discrimination and has to use his brain... Always ensure you instigate the play/work time - Don't let him come to you and demand that you throw things, fuss him etc else he'll learn that nudging you (or pawing at you as our old family lab used to do which hurt!) gets the desired result of attention (and attention can be good or bad attention - he's just looking for attention in general - So wherever possible try and ignore the bad stuff and praise the good stuff...)

Another good thing to train is the tidying up - So you train him to pick up all his toys and put them back in a toy box or similar! Labs should pick up these things quickly - Maybe using clicker training for shaping the desired result... Google it and you'll see some fascinating examples if you don't know what it's all about!!! Good luck!

Good post!!

Ian