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Hi Donna,
Glad you like the site and are getting progress!
Seems as if Bubby REALLY having issues with not being able to get your attention on his terms.
This is most likely directly related to the “pack structure” shift and the fact that you have been doing your homework.
I would bet this behavior will get better instead of worse. It sounds like an “extinction spike” to me. This is when a behavior achieved results at one time- so when suddenly it stops working the behavior becomes more intense than ever until it drops. Sort of like the lab rat that gets food pellets for pushing a lever and when it runs out of pellets it will keep pushing the lever at a high rate before finally not doing the behavior.
I would expect at least a dog trainer’s month (33 days) before seeing a better balance.
In the meantime be sure to call him over every once in a while on your terms after he takes a break from staring at you – for some brief loving (about 10 seconds), so that he does know it is still there – just no reason for him to stand there and demand it with his eyes.
Be sure to keep to a schedule to – just in case it has anything to do with waiting to go outside, be fed, etc..
All of these things can cause that type of reaction if there has been a big change that at one time he didn’t have to wait for.
Keep us informed!
