[RedGermanPinscher]

What I have caught on video is mild compared to how he can get... He will get extremely excited and will frantically paw, nuzzle, lick and then stare at me or sometimes he will stand over me or lay across me whining. The standing over me and laying across me and staring at me seems like dominant behavior but the whining and licking etc seems submissive. I'm a bit confused can anyone with a bit more insight give me any ideas????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKovAYPLbdw&feature=youtube_gdata_player


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HtiKuJoxx8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Please excuse the fact that they are sideways, DH recorded with the phone and he held the phone the wrong way.. I will try to get better video the next time he does it..

 

[Gally]

Can't tell if its the camera or the dog but is he shaking in the second video?

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

Can't tell if its the camera or the dog but is he shaking in the second video?

Yes, he shakes and wags his stump very fast almost the entire time.. If I ignore it he gets more frantic and if I remove myself he will follow me and continue whining.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

I see a dog who's trying to maxamize reinforcement. Perhaps that's being petted, having his ears rubbed, or being soothed/comforted in some way.

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

I see a dog who's trying to maxamize reinforcement. Perhaps that's being petted, having his ears rubbed, or being soothed/comforted in some way.

Maxamize reinforcement??
Meaning he is insecure and looking for reassurance???

 

[Curbside Prophet]

Maxamize reinforcement??
Meaning he is insecure and looking for reassurance???

He cold be looking for reassurance, but he could also be looking for an ear rub. Do you often comfort him with ear rubs, or stroking?

 

[Gally]

I'm not a professional but I agree that this behavior looks like an insecure dog looking for reassurance, especially in the second video. It's a little more exaggerated but similar to what Gally does when he gets spooked by something and is looking for reassurance/comforting.

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

I do find myself scratching his ears or just petting him while I watch tv or am reading,etc. Basically he is next to me at all times and half the time I don't even realize I'm doing it.. I'll realize he is there and when I mention it my husband often looks at me as if I have three heads and then says he's been there for the last 20 minutes or so.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

I do find myself scratching his ears or just petting him while I watch tv or am reading,etc. Basically he is next to me at all times and half the time I don't even realize I'm doing it.. I'll realize he is there and when I mention it my husband ofyen looks at me as if I have three heads and rhen says he's been there for the last 20 minutes or so.

My dog does a similar behavior, and I encourage it (that's not always a good thing when the bond is missing). She'll bury her head under my chin, climb on me, be appeasing, all for the ear rubbing she enjoys. I'm seeing something similar here, and inadvertent reinforcement happens all the time. If it bothers you, obviously you'll have to be more aware of how you may be reinforcing it, and reinforce an incompatible behavior (like a down-stay on a mat).

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

For the most part, it doesn't bother me, just confuses me cause I'm not sure exactly what he is doing and therefore, I removed myself or ignored it because I did/do not want to reinforce a behavior that could eventually lead to other behaviors that could be deemed unfavorable. IE: dominant behaviors. I have been a guardian to a number of dogs over the years but none of them have ever been this in your face and energetic.

 

[hanksimon]

It is not dominance. But I want to make an off the wall suggestion... I don't think he wants re-assurance... he's not really 'hiding' ... and I don't think he wants his ear scratched, b/c he's not rubbing his ear on you to show you where it itches... I assume that he doesn't shake his head a little, which might indicate itchy ears, as well as some type of ear infection.

So, I suggest that he want some exercise or play... maybe fetch, a jog, or a walk... Does he spin when you are ready to go for a walk?

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

It is not dominance. But I want to make an off the wall suggestion... I don't think he wants re-assurance... he's not really 'hiding' ... and I don't think he wants his ear scratched, b/c he's not rubbing his ear on you to show you where it itches... I assume that he doesn't shake his head a little, which might indicate itchy ears, as well as some type of ear infection.

So, I suggest that he want some exercise or play... maybe fetch, a jog, or a walk... Does he spin when you are ready to go for a walk?

He will do this even after we've been out and about for over an hour.. IDK, he just seems soooo full of energy all the time.

 

[hanksimon]

Lots of dogs have infinite wells of energy, especially when their adolescents, adn especially when it's cooler outside. However, try teaching him to fetch and go throw a ball for an hour , then go for the walk ???, and find him another dog (in the dog park?) that has similar energy, so they can wrestle for an hour...

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

Lots of dogs have infinite wells of energy, especially when their adolescents, adn especially when it's cooler outside. However, try teaching him to fetch and go throw a ball for an hour , then go for the walk ???, and find him another dog (in the dog park?) that has similar energy, so they can wrestle for an hour...

This is a typical day for us when the weather is nice:

I'm a stay at home so when the weather is nice we are usually outside for the better portion of the day. In the morning he gets let out at about 4:30-5:00 am for about 15-20 minutes then again around 7:30-8:00 am for another 20 mins and then from about 11am-3/4pm and then from about 7-9pm with a thirty minute walk at around 11pm. He gets fed from a kong or a soda bottle as well as from his dish. We play hide n seek with his toys and just added hurdles and swimming to the mix.

I have a tire swing and hurdle made from two milk crates and a 4×4 post currently, as well as, a two foot deep inflatable pool and access to alot of wooded areas and a creek.

All of our dogs are taught dance (bigger dogs spin in circles as if chasing tail, smaller dogs up on hind legs spinning in circles.)

During this time he is interacting with myself, my children and the other dogs.

 

[hanksimon]

It sounds like he has a good environment, but it sounds like he wants more play time or more training time with people.

 

[RedGermanPinscher]

Definitely an insecure dog.
If I am not mistaken, is that a infant screaming in the background? If so, is it yours? Your dog looks insecure and unsure and he's trying to make you pet him, love on him, etc. Is the baby in the background a new baby? Your dog might be unsure about that. He might just be getting a bit jealous and wants more attention.

Yes, that was my 8 month old.. but he's been like this pretty much since we got him at 12 weeks. He is now almost two.

I'm hoping the training courses he is currently scheduled to start. Will help to build his confidence.