[GeeGee]

I adore my dog.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I would do anything for him.
He's going to be 6 in November and I've had Him since he was a baby, after wanting a dog for ages my mum and dad got me one for christmas.
Basicly, he used to sit in my lap constantly. Every single time I sat down he would get up with me.
I feed him, I walk him everyday, I play with him, I do everything for him and I spend all my free time with him because I love him so much.
My family don't really do much with him, I wouldnt expect them to either seeing as he's my dog, and seeing as I'm the only animal lover in the family.
Basicly the problem recently is that he never wants to sit with me, I have to litraly pull him up just to get him to sit with me, he'd rather be in his bed.
Somtimes, don't get me wrong, He'll sit with me, but that lasts for only a couple of miniutes.
Oh, But the second my mum looks at him he flys out of the bed and jumps up with her, but she only smooths him for a bit and then pushes him back down.
It's like he Loves her more than me and it litraly breaks my heart.
The only time he really gets up on the sofa with me anymore is if I have food.
It propper upsets me because he used to sit with me all the time, and now he doesnt want to anymore.
Does anyone have any ideals why it could be and what I could do to get him to want to sit with me again?

Thanks in advance

[iMpAkT]

you prolly don't give the the attention you used to give him when he was younger

[GeeGee]

Lol, I don't think you read the thing propperly.
I adore him, I give him probably even more attention.

[bambi vision]

I'm not sure what the 'cause' could be as such, but it's easy to rekindle his desire to sit with you!

Take a handful of high value treats, e.g. liver, cheese, or boiled chicken, and sit wherever you sit most often. Put the treats in a pocket, & zip it up.
Call your dog over to you and encourage him to sit next to you. The second he makes the choice to jump up and sit beside you, say 'yes' and reward him with one treat.
Stand up, walk a little way off, and then return to the seat. Repeat the process: so call him over, encourage him to sit next to you, and the moment he does say 'yes' and reinforce the behaviour by rewarding him with a treat.
After that, keep feeding him treats (one at a time) for every minute that he sits next to you. Gradually increase the time in between feeding him a new treat. So start by giving him a treat for sitting beside you for 30 seconds, then give him a treat for sitting beside you for a further 45 seconds, then for a minute etc.
What you're essentially doing is changing his emotional response to sitting beside you - suddenly it's the most rewarding behaviour he can offer, so he'll perform it more often. He'll learn to associate that position beside you with a positive reinforcement.
You won't always need treats. The point is that he makes the choice to sit beside you and realises through praise that it's what you want him to do. Dogs are naturally subservient and have an inherent desire to please their masters.

[GeeGee]

Thankyou Bambi!
I will try that, Funnily enough I was Laid on the sofa earlier and I had my back facing his bed.
The second I did that, He jumped out of his bed and climbed up on my back to see if I was okay.
Haha,
Thankyou!
xox

[TheGuy]

Let me take a wild guess: The dog hasn't changed, you have.

It sounds extremely weird to me that a dog would not return love. Is it possible that it's you who needs more attention than previously, and therefore takes offense every time your dog prefers someone else over you? Would you react the same on the same behavior a few months ago?

Don't worry. Your dog adores you. He just wants space every now and then (is he turning into a teenager, maybe?)

[Sam1]

Dog lover here, too...I couldn't imagine life without one! They are truly wonderful companions, we can learn so much about relating from them.

Dogs typically don't change, Georgia. That's one of the really neat thing about them. They are reliable and consistent. You're aware of your needs with him here, and maybe that's part of it, you might be expecting more from him than usual? Is there something going on with you? Maybe something that requires more dog time?

You can change the relationship with your dog, but you can't do it by forcing him, attempting to pick him up when he doesn't want it, etc. What you have to do is nurture the relationship....so as Bambi says, maybe offer treats and food, but also other things that aren't so bribing. Like, taking him on long walks, or throwing a ball more, or doing those things that you know he really really likes..the things that bring people closer together also work with dogs.

Just remember that once you start this, he will expect it...dogs def remember these things and they return the favour. So be aware that when you change things, consistency is paramount..even of it's forever.

[GeeGee]

Aw yeah, thankyou.
He's sitting with me more now.
xo