Should we be ignoring our dogs?

[Granca]

Wispa greets me and people she knows very enthusiastically. She’s bouncy and wiggly and just loves having her back rubbed. The downside is that she tries to jump up, as my youngest son thought that was sweet when she was a little puppy, so she still needs reminding to keep her four paws on the floor! Unfortunately my little grandson gets a bit scared by all her enthusiastic wiggling - and she also tries to lick his face, as it’s just on the right level!

Tuppence is a bit stand-offish, although pleased to see me. She will now join in with Wispa for a fuss first thing in the morning if I encourage her, but is really more interested in her breakfast. When any of my family arrive, she also rushes to get the garden toys, as she wants them to go into the garden to play games with her than actually greeting them. She loves her cuddle on the sofa, though!

 

[Shamas mom]

I personally hate coming in to barking dogs...but ignoring them? I can't do it. I tried. The trainer told me to. I waited....and the second I saw a sign they were settling, I reached for the treats. Of course, two bums hit the floor. they weren't settled but they weren't barking either! Good enough for me.

So I got a lecture on pre-empting them, and how they settled only because I took that step towards the treat box.

Hmmm....but I'd rather pre-empt them and give them a reason to "sit down and shut up" as opposed to leaving them to be in a state of excitement and unable to self-calm.......

I understand the logic...ignore the dog until they learn to calm themselves, and then reward the calm. But if you have two winding each other up, it seems unfair.

Since Angel moved out, I am so very relieved to be coming in to a nice calm greeting. Shamas meets me at the door, wagging his tail, and is rewarded with a greeting from me as I enter. The puppy gets hers next, as she quietly comes around into the hall to see who came in. They each are greeted in turn before I move into the house.

Since we step out front often, and for indeterminate amounts of time, the dogs rarely fuss about us coming and going. I am so forgetful that it usually takes multiple attempts to leave LOL. So I inadvertently did the very thing you're meant to do to help seperation anxiety