Barking Puppy!

Question
I have a almost 5 month old Black Lab that constantly barks at me for attention. For example while I am writing this email to you he is sitting next to me on the couch whinnying and barking at me!! I try to ignore him and if I do he bites my hands or will get into something that he knows will make me get up running after him. He seems to be very needy for constant attention...is this normal? Is this my fault? How can I fix this awful annoying problem?

Help!
Thank You
Celena

Answer
The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm