i did a few searches but didn't find anything- sorry if this is a repeat.
Jumbo is a one year-old pit/lab mix. Very mild mannered, sweet, calm, obedient, wonderful in practically every way. However, he isn't very independent and not only is it extremely irritating (he can spend an hour just sitting in front of me while i'm watching tv, staring at me), but it concerns me. i want him to be confident and mentally healthy.
When he nudges or stares (he also likes to lay his head on your arm or lap or pillow- *extremely* cute and hard to ignore, but we try), my husband and i are pretty good about not paying attention to him (ie. giving in), but it doesn't seem to phase him, he'll just continue the behavior. If we close the door to the room we are in and he is in the another, he just sits and stares at the door. i don't expect him to not miss us at all, or to forget about us and throw a party, but it's almost a 24/7 behavior, so it can't be good. Of course, he follows us in to every single room, even the bathroom where there is no room for him. If he is told to stay in another room, he will stay-sitting there...staring. If we try to distract him with a toy or bone, he will pay attention to it only as long as we are paying attention to him. Then he will leave it to follow/stare at us.
So what can i do to encourage independence in him?
Any advice is appreciated.
Jumbo is a one year-old pit/lab mix. Very mild mannered, sweet, calm, obedient, wonderful in practically every way. However, he isn't very independent and not only is it extremely irritating (he can spend an hour just sitting in front of me while i'm watching tv, staring at me), but it concerns me. i want him to be confident and mentally healthy.
When he nudges or stares (he also likes to lay his head on your arm or lap or pillow- *extremely* cute and hard to ignore, but we try), my husband and i are pretty good about not paying attention to him (ie. giving in), but it doesn't seem to phase him, he'll just continue the behavior. If we close the door to the room we are in and he is in the another, he just sits and stares at the door. i don't expect him to not miss us at all, or to forget about us and throw a party, but it's almost a 24/7 behavior, so it can't be good. Of course, he follows us in to every single room, even the bathroom where there is no room for him. If he is told to stay in another room, he will stay-sitting there...staring. If we try to distract him with a toy or bone, he will pay attention to it only as long as we are paying attention to him. Then he will leave it to follow/stare at us.
So what can i do to encourage independence in him?
Any advice is appreciated.