10 Things Dogs Do to Get Attention
Your dog communicates with you in many different ways
DOGS ‘TALK’ TO US
Approximate reading time: 6 minutes
Your dog doesn't know how to articulate words, but you'll agree with us that he doesn't need to. Dogs are sociable animals that need to be in contact with other companions of the same species or with humans, and it is in the latter case that they have to work hard to make us understand them, as our languages are very different. Through all kinds of sounds and their body language and behaviour, these animals call our attention to alert us, to express themselves or, why not say it, to ask us for things.
Table of contents
1. Why is my dog trying to get my attention?
• Barking
2. What to do if your dog demands attention
Why does my dog try to get my attention?
As you know, the bond between a pet and its carer is very special. Let's not fool ourselves, if it were up to your dog, he would be glued to you all day long, demanding all kinds of things: cuddles, treats, food, play... This is where the importance of good education and training lies, as a demanding and anxious dog can develop many behavioural problems and suffer unnecessarily.
On most occasions it is not worrying that a dog tries to get our attention, as it is simply communicating with us in the way it knows how, but if this way of interacting with its human family becomes recurrent and you notice the dog is restless and nervous, it is best to consult an educator or ethologist to find out the origin of its behaviour. Let's look at some of the ways your dog asks for your attention:
• Bark
Barking is the most common way a dog communicates with us. It may do so for many reasons, but the tone, frequency and body language of the animal will give us more information about what it is trying to express. By barking, a dog can communicate that he is nervous, afraid, excited about play, lonely or even warn us of an emergency situation. Many cases have been reported of dogs barking while trying to get people to follow them to show them someone in an accident, fire or other danger. Be that as it may, your dog will never bark on a whim or to annoy, but because he needs to ‘tell’ you something. There is always a reason behind your pet's ‘talking’, so pay attention to what he is trying to communicate.
• Crying or groaning
Listening to your dog cry is not a good thing. It's always very sad to hear the sad whimpering of your beloved furry friend. But do you know what your pet needs to express to you when he cries? Some reasons for a dog's crying are related to fear, anxiety or frustration (for example, he wants to enter a closed room and we won't let him). He may also whine or cry to get your attention and to get petting, affection or the toy you are holding in your hands.
As with barking and other dog vocalisations (such as growling, howling, sighing, etc.), you will need to look at the other signals to find out what your dog's crying really means. Don't overlook the possibility that your pet is in pain or discomfort, so if you hear him crying more than usual, you should consult a vet to be on the safe side.
• Licking you
Do you know what your dog is trying to tell you when he licks you? Like all the other signals, it's a way of seeking your reaction, but it's also an unmistakable sign of affection and trust. Your furry friend might lick your hands, face, legs or feet to give you a kind of doggy kiss. Some dogs are more inclined than others to lick people, but if your pet does it and you don't like it, teach him to respect it. How? Don't show any reaction when your dog seeks your attention by licking you. If you ignore him in these situations, he will have to learn another way to communicate his affection to you.
• Touching you with his paw
Even if you haven't taught your dog to paw you, he's likely to surprise you by using one of his forelimbs to touch your hand or whatever part of your body he's near. Dogs are very similar to people in this signal, as we also call each other in this way, giving us a gentle touch with our hand or tapping us with our finger. The intention is clear: he wants you to listen to him. Perhaps he is looking for a cuddle, for a treat or food, for a walk, or simply for your reaction to feel safe. You will know the exact message she is trying to send you by observing her attitude: is she more playful, calm or affectionate? There you have it!
• Staring at you
How many times have you started a staring duel with your dog and lost? Dogs are masters at staring at you and staring at you for minutes at a time. Clearly, a dog that stares at you wants you to listen to him, but he hasn't yet reached the point where he's ready to take action. Let's say that staring at you is the most polite and respectful way to get your dog's attention. If your dog is staring at you, chances are he wants something from you: to play, to take a walk, to spend time together... Sometimes dogs accompany this piercing stare with an irresistible head tilt that can get them pretty much whatever they want. Joking aside, beware of indulging your dog and giving him everything he wants when he asks for it, as you could cause serious behavioural problems and turn him into a demanding and restless animal.
• Bringing you a toy
It is impossible to misunderstand this way of getting your dog's attention. When your pet goes looking for you and brings one of his toys with him, you know what he wants from you. Play is great fun and stimulating for a dog, but experts recommend that we should always be the ones to initiate a play session. If your dog is calm when he comes to you to ask you to play together, no problem, but if he is very anxious and demands your attention, it is best to ignore him and start the game when he is calmer. In this way you will be reinforcing a relaxed attitude in your dog.
• Running around the house
We've all had the experience of being quietly hanging out at home and seeing our dog running through the corridors. This sudden burst of energy is totally normal and is simply a way of letting off steam and getting our attention to play. In this case, as amusing as it may seem to you to see your pet so excited, it is preferable to wait a few minutes until he is a little calmer but still wants to play. At that point, go get his favourite toy and give him the enjoyment he deserves.
Pay attention to your dog's overall behaviour, as constant over-energy could be a symptom of an emotional problem. If your pet spends too many hours alone or you don't walk him enough, he could be suffering from anxiety and other problems.
• Chewing on things
This is one of the most drastic ways for your dog to ask you to listen to him. Destructive behaviour always hides a serious problem that cannot be ignored. Puppies may chew on objects as a way of playing and exploring the world, but if an adult dog chews on things non-stop, we advise you to seek professional advice from a dog behaviourist, as this is not a healthy behaviour for your dog. If your dog spends a lot of time alone and suffers from separation anxiety due to poor management on your part, he may well take it out on you by chewing on everything around him. Make sure you offer your dog a full life, with plenty of exercise, stimulation and quality food to prevent him from feeling bad and expressing his frustration in such an aggressive way.
• Tail chasing
It's impossible not to pay attention to your dog when he starts circling endlessly trying to chase his own tail. This behaviour is not necessarily indicative of anything wrong as long as it is a one-off event. It is quite normal, especially in puppies, who do it to play and explore. But if your dog is older and chasing his tail a lot, take him to a veterinary ethologist, as he may be suffering from an obsessive disorder or intestinal parasites.
• Snout snapping
This is a variation on the paw pawing, although the aim is the same: to get your attention. If your dog comes up to you and nuzzles you with his nose, he's actually saying ‘Hey, listen to me!’. Pay attention and you'll soon know what he really wants from you, although he'll probably settle for some petting and a few affectionate words.
What to do if your dog demands attention
It is normal for your dog to always be close to you and interact with you to communicate his needs and desires. As a gregarious mammal he needs to be close to his ‘pack’ to feel safe. There is nothing wrong with responding to your dog's attention-seeking. You can give petting or play if he asks for it in a calm manner, but be very careful if you don't want to end up reinforcing bad habits or problem behaviours. For example, you should never give your dog food at the table, even if he demands it by pawing you or crying. Nor should you give in if you want to change your dog's behaviour in any way. And, above all, never react to your dog's anxious behaviour, as you could reinforce it and turn it into a bigger problem. If in doubt, contact an ethologist or trainer for help.
Learning your dog's language and getting to know him will help you communicate with him and be able to help him when he needs it. Also, don't forget that these animals can memorise and understand up to 160 words, so don't hesitate to teach them signals and use them (you can also use gestures). This way you will be able to communicate with your pet in a much more efficient way, making it much happier.