NILIF Qestion
 

Hi All!
I posted about 2 months ago about what a Holy Terror my pup was..WAS!!! YAY!! Two great suggestions came from that post.
1. Behavior Therapy..we are 3 weeks into one on one sessions
2. NILIF training which has changed our life!
My pup is 2 days shy of 11 months and is outside while i'm at work and outside at night for sleep. If I'm home, he's in with me or we're out walking/playing or practicing obedience games. We walk two miles every night and play for about 30 minutes or so outside before coming in. My question is...he's still pretty restless in the house. Sometimes will play with a toy but not for long, then he goes and sits at the back door. He will start whining to go out. Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal? I feel guilty because I can't stay outside with him all evening when I get home, that's one reason i bring him in so i can still spend some time with him, petting him while i cook, or fold clothes, etc. I was told to not play games with him in the house because he will start depending on me for entertainment. Any suggestions or experiences anyone wants to share will be greatly appreciated.
thanks!

Uhm, what was your user name?

i didn't practice NILIF. i practiced MILIF (Most IN Life
Is Free). my pup/dog didn't have to do anything for a
treat, petting or kind words. i have an inside dog.
he's outside to potty, exercise and go places. i don't
leave him in the yard. at night he sleeps on our bed or 1
of his 2 beds. lwe play in the house often.

My dog is almost 10 months and he is an inside dog. I know that when I take him out he can get really antsy and try to sniff everything. It can take a bit for him to calm down. Maybe you just need to spend more time with him inside? Do you ever do any training inside? Training usually calms my pup down and makes him more comfortable. It makes my dog feel like he knows why he is where he is if that makes any sense? Maybe someone else has a better suggestion?

There's nothing wrong with the dog liking to be outside, but I am surprised that he doesn't seem to want to be wherever you are, in or out. I would play games with him. I would leave the run and chase games for outside. But I would definitely play with him, give him toys, have fun, fun, fun with him. Train him, make a game of it.

There is nothing wrong with NILIF as a starting place for learning how to manage the dog, to make clear boundaries and rules, and to be consistent with how you manage your pup.

I had a boy that did not want to be in at all. Given the freedom to choose, with the doggie door, he took himself outside and slept under the stars. He preferred to be outside even when it was raining. He liked it. Maybe that is how your dog is. I would find lots of outside activities to include the dog in.

I would start playing games with him in the house! Do obedience, play tug and have some fun! I don't think it is a bad thing to have a dog dependent on their person, as long as they are balanced and not so over the top that separation anxiety sets in.
Who told you not to play games inside, your behavior therapist? I really don't get that philosophy...

The only time he's having any 'fun' (interaction?) is when he's outside, so inside is boring.

Lisl and I play inside every day. She's learned everything she knows except potty and 'come' inside the house.

Too wet in my yard to do much of any kind of training until late spring, but 'come' is the only obedience command I've trained outside so far with her.

When we're outside we walk. A lot. Very rarely has it been dry enough to play ball. She and I were both soaked when we came in from the first time.

Thanks everyone! It sounds like playing indoors is OK! Yes, the behavioral therapist is the one who told me not to play with him inside. For 8 months I've been acting like his playmate (didn't know NILIF) and he has been ruling me with a very bad nipping/biting problem trying to play or get my attention (although he gets attention) and much manipulation (very sweet, sleeping in my lap on the couch, then nipping the crap out of me trying to play/get my attention again. Pretty much all the alpha stuff NILIF talks about he was exhibiting. I've learned he is very pack oriented, and thats one of the reasons the trainer suggested no playing in the house for now and also to only pet him when he is being calm and behaving. Keeping his excitement low..Therefore, no tug of war but he loves "find it" and his puzzle games. I agree with you onxy girl about he might be bored inside, and rangers-mom, that makes perfect sense about maybe he's not sure why he's inside or comfortable with it. I'm gonna start playing some games with him and see if it makes a difference. Thanks selzer for the validation that he likes to be outside and doggiedad we're moving from EVERYTHING in life is free, to your Most ILIF. He always gets kind words, but he is having to learn to be calm and not jumping/biting me to get a treat and petted. LOL..he got two whole cheese sq. patties the other night for staying off the couch and lying calmly by me. That was a great night! Thanks again for all your responses. I trust the trainer but she doesn't live with me so it's awesome to get feedback from other GSD families!