Barking for attention?

[HAH]

So this is a new one - a couple of times now when my OH's been playing with Kipper or doing some training (hand targeting for carrot earlier), when the training's done and OH says 'all done', Kipper starts barking at him. It's a big dog bark, and from what I see it's him saying 'more please'. He'll sit in front of him and just bark at him. When OH turns his back it doesn't seem to make a difference which is curious - walking away is the main thing that works.

It doesn't look like it's fear or intimidation in Kipper (there's no change in OH's position, just a fairly normal 'all done') - it's more like it's arousal and looking for more activity. Any ideas for nipping this one in the bud early doors? He's not done it to me (yet) but OH is quite upset by it.

 

[Boogie]

Yes, I would agree. Dogs do this a lot to each other and the bark means ‘play with me play with me!’ Stopping all play every time and walking away will cure it (eventually). But then re-instigate play when Kipper is being quiet.

PS. Make sure OH isn’t staring at him, this will instigate a bark.

.

 

[HAH]

Fantastic, thank you @Boogie - particularly good to note eye contact, and re-instigating play; that’s really useful x

 

[Oberon]

Make sure your OH has a few treats left at the end of a training session and have him end the session by tipping the treats onto the ground and then walking away. Make this the ‘end of session’ signal. Dogs still learn that this means that the session is over but it’s a much less aversive way of doing it than saying “No more good times for you” I actually follow the treat dump with a vigorous whole doggy rub and scratch, just to ease the blow of ending the session. And it is a blow for our treat trained dogs who love learning with us....and treats.

 

[HAH]

end the session by tipping the treats onto the ground

Oh that's a good idea, why didn't we think of that?! They're also now spending more time doing calming activities of an evening (stroking, singing ) so this was hopefully just a good nudge in the right direction!

 

[Oberon]

Calming activities are a great idea too!

 

[Beanwood]

Make sure your OH has a few treats left at the end of a training session and have him end the session by tipping the treats onto the ground and then walking away. Make this the ‘end of session’ signal. Dogs still learn that this means that the session is over but it’s a much less aversive way of doing it than saying “No more good times for you” I actually follow the treat dump with a vigorous whole doggy rub and scratch, just to ease the blow of ending the session. And it is a blow for our treat trained dogs who love learning with us....and treats.

Yes especially difficult as you want to end the training session on a high! I usually stop when Bramble is doing well, then end with one of her favourite games, then I have just walked away...turned around and she is just stood there! So the treat dump and gentle stroking I think sounds like a great idea

 

[HAH]

you want to end the training session on a high

Spot on, particularly when we're all learning and I'm really keen to keep the two-person training going - we've been using these suggestions over the last few days and fingers crossed, no more barking for games.