We've made some good progress with behavior. Our strategy is to ignore when he starts to get really worked up (he will usually start nudging, pawing, or sometimes he is breathing heavier). If sitting on the couch, we stand up, and if he is still persistent, we start to walk away. No touching, no talking, no eye contact. When we first tried this, he would still follow us around the house for a bit, but it has been cool to see how this has lessened because I think he is getting the idea that those behaviors don't get our attention.
So on the flip side, when he shows calm behaviors, we make sure to calmly acknowledge it. If you praise too excitedly, he gets wound up again.
Here is a perfect example of how he calmly sat next to my husband and then plopped on the ground for some belly rubs.
So on the flip side, when he shows calm behaviors, we make sure to calmly acknowledge it. If you praise too excitedly, he gets wound up again.
Here is a perfect example of how he calmly sat next to my husband and then plopped on the ground for some belly rubs.