Crazy Daisy

Question
Daisy is a neutered, almost 6 year old American Eskimo.  She seems starved for attention, although she gets it all the time.  When I come home, she jumps and barks insistantly until I drop what I'm doing and pay attention to her.  When we get company, she has to be the center of attention and demands the company pet her, to the point of jumping in their laps and licking their faces until they comply.  She has had a personal trainer and usually complied to his alpha male projection, but it didn't transfer to me.  She just seems to be a hyper dog, unlike her companion Jeter, a "nothing flusters me" Pomeranian fluffball.  I do use a leash when expecting company, but for the unexpected, Daisy is like an incorrigible child.  Please help!  Thank you so much for your valuable time and expertise.

Sincerely,
Marcia

Answer
Hi Marcia, Often times obedience training does not solve behavioral problems. Since Daisy is a high energy working dog, she will require much more exercise than an average dog. If you can make it a habit to exercise her as much as possible, it will help. Taking her for a walk or run at least once a day, preferably more, at the heel will exercise her body and her mind.  She is not necessarily starved for attention, but because of her breed and energy level, she is in need of lots of exercise. If she did well for your trainer, that is probably because he is experienced at being an alpha leader to dogs.  Establishing yourself as her alpha leader will help her immensely. There is a time for exercise (which should come first), then for discipline (boundaries, limitations and rules) and lastly nurturing (praise, goodies, an lots of affection).  Do not think of her as an incorrigible child. She is a dog that has a high energy drive.  You could even give her a job to do, carrying a pack works well with working breeds as well as teaching her many tasks so that she can feel she is working for a living.  Giving her praise and attention is good, but not without giving her a kind leader who exercises her and meets all of her needs. Please leave me some feedback, and follow-up as necessary to let me know how she is progressing.  Thank you for writing. Regards, Susan