Hi: My Shih Tzu will watch me work in the kitchen and whatever else I may be doing but as soon as I sit down to watch TV in my favourite chair, he begins to pester me. He claws at me and licks and barks almost all at once. He thinks that is the time to go for a walk even if he just came in a half hour ago. This is not telling me that he wants to go poop or pee, he just wants me to get up and take him outside. If I get up and start working again, he will lay down or go entertain himself. I can't figure out what he does this for. If I do take him for a walk at the time he pesters me, he will leave me alone when we come back. I would like to break him of this habit. It usually happens around 4:00 p.m. when Oprah comes on, or even at 5:00 p.m. when Dr. Phil comes on. These are the only shows I will watch during the day and it seems that he (Spud) doesn't want me to sit down for a break. Anyone else experience this phenomenon?

....I think he doesn't want to watch what you watch! :-) :-)

HI Marjiebrown

I think your dog just wants your attention, but on his terms! :D

MOst dogs will relax when we are cooking, cleaning etc 'cos they know they don't get attentoin then anyway, but we are fair game when watching the TV!!! (But yes as LOki says, perhaps he just doesn't like the programme :D )

The best way really is to totally and completely ignore him when he tries for attention, no speaking, no eye contact, nothing. He will get worse before he gets better but this is nnormal.

If it is really hard to ignore him, or impossible because of physical jumping up, I would calmly take him out and leave him for up to 2 minutes. Only bring him in if he is calm and not whining or anything, but you may have torepeat this a lot.

Also make it pleasant for him to spend time away from you by giving him a stuffed KOng or long lasting chew, and get him to settle - you could also try putting a leadon him and getting him to lie down, put your feet on the lead and in this way keep him down, chewing his treat.

These are ways I have used and found they worked for me. Myabe others will have other suggestions. Good luck :)

Lindsay

Put on his collar and lead and either tie him so he can sit beside you but not pester, or put your foot on the lead to get the same result. Know this will stop you from relaxing but you should not have to do it for more than a few days. If you don't like that idea try standing up with your arms crossed everytime he bothers you, say nothing but respond to his action by removing yourself from his reach, turn you back on him if you need to. Once he is sat or laying down return to your chair and tell him he is a good boy.
Ja:)kie

Hi Jackie H: I like this idea of not looking him in the eye and standing with my arms folded. I think the mistake I make is looking at him. I have noticed that when I stand, he sort of settles down but I haven't carried through with the 'good boy' and then go sit back down myself. The reason I sat down in the first place is that I need a little rest. If I can cure his habit in a few days, this will be well worth while doing. Thanks, Marjie

Hi LIndsay: I will give this a try. He has tons of toys and I sometimes get one out that he hasn't seen in a while. He wants me to throw his toys down the hall and he brings them back. I will try taking him out for short terms and see how that works. Thanks, Marjie

Hi Lokus mum; Thats his problem. I don't bother him when he watches The nature of Things