My boy has a problem with our intimacy….sigh

[Quercus]

One word….crate......period....

[AJs Human]

I just have never had that problem with AJ. My guy and I "visit" in this little space inside the truck and AJ couldn't be bothered in the least. He actually seems kind of bored by the whole thing. He just doesn't want feet flailing around in his face, so he goes to his bed on the passenger seat and ignores us.

My suggestion is let him whine and wail. If you go to him because of this behavior, you are reinforcing it. He's getting his way. Just get on with it and ignore him the best you can. I would even say don't throw him in his crate just for the event. Wait until he starts to misbehave then throw him in prison. This will tell him it is unacceptable for him to behave in that way and if he stays quiet and minds his own business, he gets to lay on the couch or whatever other comfortable thing he gets. If he is bad, he gets the crate with nothing in it at all and gets to lay down on that plastic floor.

It shouldn't take long for him to figure it out.

[Quercus]

@AJs:

I just have never had that problem with AJ. My guy and I "visit" in this little space inside the truck and AJ couldn't be bothered in the least. He actually seems kind of bored by the whole thing. He just doesn't want feet flailing around in his face, so he goes to his bed on the passenger seat and ignores us.

My suggestion is let him whine and wail. If you go to him because of this behavior, you are reinforcing it. He's getting his way. Just get on with it and ignore him the best you can. I would even say don't throw him in his crate just for the event. Wait until he starts to misbehave then throw him in prison. This will tell him it is unacceptable for him to behave in that way and if he stays quiet and minds his own business, he gets to lay on the couch or whatever other comfortable thing he gets. If he is bad, he gets the crate with nothing in it at all and gets to lay down on that plastic floor.

It shouldn't take long for him to figure it out.

A couple comments about this. The rule of thumb is don't let them practice any behaviors you don't want to see more of. If you start being romantic, and he starts howling, you must pay attention to him to crate him…in his mind, he wins; he got your attention, even if you are putting him in his crate. Secondly...not so fun to have the mood ruined by having to deal with the dog...imo....been there ;)

[agilebasenji]

tee-hee-hee, he's a try-ing.

so is he okay in his crate except when you play the Barry White music? or have you not been crating him during that time?

[Nemo]

You could try a kong like agile suggested but just put in some of his normal food mixed with a little pumpkin or wet dog food (just enough to bind it together). Maybe that would be enough to occupy him but not upset his tummy?

[Alien d2]

How much of the house is Ringo "Patroling"?
Is he given access to the beds(does he sleep on it)?
Maybe he's protecting his patch.
Sounds to me(not knowing much but learning) like he thinks your being attacked and is intervening.
Who is "top dog" in the house?
I think any "B" will let you think you are, but they seem to know better;)

The hard bit is not rewarding the bad behavior.
Also not letting him feel like he's being punished when you guys want "quiet time".

[Patty M]

I have the same problem, but my girl doesn't whine or wail, but becomes VERY curious and wants to sniff everything and everywhere. It's almost like sneaking when my kids were babies, lol. I think there may be a curiosity mixed with concern, not understanding that everything is "ok"… I wouldn't crate him because of his behavior, because then the crate = punishment/prison.

Maybe some reassuring comments letting Ringo know that everything is "okay".... realizing that for the first 5 minutes you may have to "pretend" while he's adjusting to the fact no one is getting hurt.

And if all else fails, keep trying! :)

[Patty M]

@AJs:

I just have never had that problem with AJ. My guy and I "visit" in this little space inside the truck and AJ couldn't be bothered in the least. He actually seems kind of bored by the whole thing. He just doesn't want feet flailing around in his face, so he goes to his bed on the passenger seat and ignores us.

Is that an International Pro-Star? I love the color! (I work for a tire company so I often inspect your trucks while they are in Atlanta)…

Sorry, it's off topic, but I wanted to compliment you on your rig!

[Patty]

Though very amused by this topic, I too wanted to say wow to your truck AjsHuman. Glad you mentioned it too, PattyM

[TuckerVA]

Tucker just hops on the bed and lies down beside us. We've gotten used to it and just ignore him… ;)