Identifying and stopping attention-seeking behavior in dogs is essential to ensure a well-behaved and balanced canine companion. Attention-seeking behaviors in dogs can manifest in various ways, such as excessive barking, jumping, pawing, whining, and nudging. Here are some steps you can take to address and curb attention-seeking behavior in your dog:

1. Positive Reinforcement Training: Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward your dog for good behavior. When your dog is calm and not seeking attention, offer praise, treats, or petting. This will encourage your dog to associate positive behavior with rewards.

2. Ignore Unwanted Behavior: Dogs often seek attention for negative behaviors too. If your dog is jumping, barking excessively, or engaging in other undesirable attention-seeking actions, avoid giving any response or attention. Any attention, even negative attention like scolding, can reinforce the behavior.

3. Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Ensure your dog receives sufficient physical exercise and mental stimulation daily. A tired and mentally stimulated dog is less likely to resort to attention-seeking behaviors out of boredom or excess energy.

4. Establish a Routine: Dogs thrive on routine and knowing what to expect. Establish a consistent daily schedule for feeding, walks, playtime, and rest. This helps reduce anxiety and attention-seeking behaviors caused by uncertainty.

5. Teach Basic Commands: Training your dog to follow basic commands like "sit," "stay," and "down" will help instill discipline and provide an alternative to attention-seeking behaviors.

6. Use Time-Outs: If your dog engages in persistent attention-seeking behaviors, consider using time-outs. Remove your attention and place your dog in a designated quiet area for a short period (e.g., a separate room or crate). Be consistent with this approach, so your dog learns that the undesirable behavior results in the removal of attention.

7. Socialization: Properly socialize your dog from a young age. Expose them to various people, places, and other dogs. A well-socialized dog is more confident and less likely to engage in attention-seeking behaviors for security.

8. Seek Professional Help: If the attention-seeking behavior is severe or persistent, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can provide tailored advice and guidance to address specific issues.

9. Health Check: Sometimes, attention-seeking behaviors might be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Ensure your dog receives regular check-ups to rule out any health problems that could be contributing to their behavior.

Remember that training and behavior modification take time and patience. Be consistent and reward positive behaviors, while ignoring unwanted actions, and you will gradually see an improvement in your dog's attention-seeking behavior. Always use positive reinforcement and avoid punishment-based methods, as these can create additional behavioral problems and damage the trust between you and your dog.