Barking problems

14284 Views 36 Replies 13 Participants Last post by 2ndhandgal, Sep 28, 2011

Holly2010

Discussion Starter · Sep 13, 2011

Hi
My Holly always gets very anxious when we are around other dogs it is a nightmare at the park she just keeps barking at everything, she isn't aggressive but she just gets very angry, also some people she barks at especially men!! any advice on how to try and get her to stop doing this, I have tried to distract her with treats but it doesn't really work as I have problems getting her attention as soon as she see's another dog, I must say once she knows them she is fine with them as she has lots of friends

xxxx

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Mogdog

· #2 · Sep 13, 2011

It sounds like barking because she's afraid (of unfamiliar dogs and men). Maisie was very fearful as a pup but is now fine with other dogs ... she remains v timid with unknown people especially men. I don't really know what to do about this so will be interested in the replies.

A water spray can been good for senseless barking (once or twice is usually sufficient then they stop when they see you produce it). But it seems mean to do that when they are barking through fear.

holicon

· #3 · Sep 13, 2011

Coco is the same, he is 9 months old now but he will bark at people and dogs when we are out because he is afraid and timid, but if anyone comes in the house he is all over them. Sorry i haven't helped because I haven't been able to sort it out with Coco so hopefully someone will be able to help.

caradunne

· #4 · Sep 13, 2011

I have just solved this problem with Izzy after months and months of trying different approaches. I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement training for dogs and kids, always reward good behaviour and set them up with situations that they can succeed at - catch them doing the right thing, not reprimand for doing the wrong thing - works particularly well with boys! So my solution is quite alien to that approach. I tried endless reward situations and Izzy would be so involved with her own barking that I couldn't penetrate it. I would use treats to distract her, but she always spotted the other dog. My clicker trainer told me to buy 'Corrector spray'. It is unbelievably effective. I have only had to spray it by her (not at her) twice. Now I only need to hold the canister, as soon as she pulls (this precedes the bark) I show her the canister and she immediately goes to heel again. I then treat her for the correct behaviour. There is also a row of terraced cottages with low front windowsills, several of them have cats sitting on them. It was impossible to walk past without Izzy leaping up to inspect each sill and barking furiously in anticipation of cats. She now demurely walks past looking up at me knowing she is behaving well and waiting for her treat. I have also used the spray to stop her barking at the fish in our pond. So fantastic success for about £6 from Pets at Home.

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caradunne

· #5 · Sep 13, 2011

holicon said:
Coco is the same, he is 9 months old now but he will bark at people and dogs when we are out because he is afraid and timid, but if anyone comes in the house he is all over them. Sorry i haven't helped because I haven't been able to sort it out with Coco so hopefully someone will be able to help.

I always believed Izzy did it because she was afraid and I spent a fortune on socialisation and always excused her behaviour. I think she was afraid and the approach becomes an entrenched behaviour but she has proved she can learn to behave and certainly doesn't seem afraid any more. It is amazing as she is eating better and seems more confident. She is older so that may have a bearing on it.

Reactions: 2

EG1

· #6 · Sep 13, 2011

caradunne said:
I have just solved this problem with Izzy after months and months of trying different approaches. I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement training for dogs and kids, always reward good behaviour and set them up with situations that they can succeed at - catch them doing the right thing, not reprimand for doing the wrong thing - works particularly well with boys! So my solution is quite alien to that approach. I tried endless reward situations and Izzy would be so involved with her own barking that I couldn't penetrate it. I would use treats to distract her, but she always spotted the other dog. My clicker trainer told me to buy 'Corrector spray'. It is unbelievably effective. I have only had to spray it by her (not at her) twice. Now I only need to hold the canister, as soon as she pulls (this precedes the bark) I show her the canister and she immediately goes to heel again. I then treat her for the correct behaviour. There is also a row of terraced cottages with low front windowsills, several of them have cats sitting on them. It was impossible to walk past without Izzy leaping up to inspect each sill and barking furiously in anticipation of cats. She now demurely walks past looking up at me knowing she is behaving well and waiting for her treat. I have also used the spray to stop her barking at the fish in our pond. So fantastic success for about £6 from Pets at Home.

Interesting that you had good results with the spray,Cara. I bought one to use with Alfie, who's a demon barker, but when I mentioned it at Agility was made to feel it was the work of the devil. Think I might give it a go since we we're on the brink of being expelled from Agility anyway for mega naughty barking. Rupert doesn't show any signs of being a barker but I'm worried he might pick it up. Two barkers would be a nightmare...

kendal

· #7 · Sep 13, 2011

do you have her at training classes. classes are grate for getting them used to people and other dogs in close proximity.

caradunne

· #8 · Sep 13, 2011

EG1 said:
Interesting that you had good results with the spray,Cara. I bought one to use with Alfie, who's a demon barker, but when I mentioned it at Agility was made to feel it was the work of the devil. Think I might give it a go since we we're on the brink of being expelled from Agility anyway for mega naughty barking. Rupert doesn't show any signs of being a barker but I'm worried he might pick it up. Two barkers would be a nightmare...

I know I had the can for about two months before I finally used it, it goes against everything I believed in - but it worked! She really doesn't like it, so it is training by threat, but there is no hurt for the dog and she certainly seems more confident and is very pleased with herself for behaving. Sometimes she evenstops walking, sits and looks up at me as she knows she has done it well and deserves her treat.

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Mogdog

· #9 · Sep 13, 2011

Cara, what is in the can of 'Corrector Spray'? Is it something smelly? I certainly like the idea of rewarding the good behaviour.

Sue x

embee

· #10 · Sep 14, 2011

EG1 said:
Interesting that you had good results with the spray,Cara. I bought one to use with Alfie, who's a demon barker, but when I mentioned it at Agility was made to feel it was the work of the devil. Think I might give it a go since we we're on the brink of being expelled from Agility anyway for mega naughty barking. Rupert doesn't show any signs of being a barker but I'm worried he might pick it up. Two barkers would be a nightmare...

If he gets 'expelled' from agility maybe give flyball a go where excitement and barking are probably the norm - the flyball club I go to is even called Loudbarking Flyball Club

EG1

· #11 · Sep 14, 2011

embee said:
If he gets 'expelled' from agility maybe give flyball a go where excitement and barking are probably the norm - the flyball club I go to is even called Loudbarking Flyball Club

That sounds like just the place for Alf! Perhaps I'll see if there's any local Flyball. On the plus side I tried the Pet Corrector this morning. As we were stepping out of the front door a couple of dogs went past and he went nuts - so did a quick squirt and it worked! He even walked to heel along the lane and didn't attempt to join in with any barking dogs on the other side of hedges like he normally does. Lots of treats etc to reinforce his amazing behaviour. Hope this is a breakthrough. Not that I can use it at agility - I'll just have to flash a sneaky pic of the can at him.

Reactions: 2

ali-s.j.

· #12 · Sep 14, 2011

Could you have a word you use at the same time as spraying and treating, so that Alf learns to associate it with not barking?

caradunne

· #13 · Sep 14, 2011

I say 'Izzy quiet'. I am so glad it worked. I have to confess that I have secreted the canister up my sleeve at times so that other walkers can't see it, then if necessary Izzy gets a quick view as a reminder if she pulls towards another dog! I don't know why I feel so ashamed of using this product as the tried and tested dog corrector in rural Devon is a quick kick!!!!

caradunne

· #14 · Sep 14, 2011

Mogdog said:
Cara, what is in the can of 'Corrector Spray'? Is it something smelly? I certainly like the idea of rewarding the good behaviour.

Sue x

Hi Sue
Nothing in it, just a shhhhhhhhhh of air, but quite forceful, hence spray by not at the dog. xx

Mogdog

· #15 · Sep 14, 2011

Thanks Cara, I may get some if things get too noisy here! Maisie has improved since we got rid of the guinea pigs (to the front garden!) but she still barks at noises from outside, etc. So far Bess hasn't copied, she's a more chilled character!

Sue x

2ndhandgal

· #16 · Sep 15, 2011

Unfortunately using punishment - and the corrector spray is punishment can have poor consequences - especially if your dog is acting that way through fear.

Imagine the situation of being scared of spiders and screaming when you see one. If someone then squirts spray in your face when you see one it may stop you screaming but will do nothing to address the fear and may well mean one day you will totally flip out and go further than screaming.

Transfered to dogs if they are uncomfortable and barking at other dogs and you use punishment to stop that you run the risk they may feel the need to escalate and may increase the level of aggression.

It is far better to work with your dog with the level it is comfortable with, either individually or maybe consult an APDT trainer who should be able to help.

Mogdog

· #17 · Sep 15, 2011

2ndhandgal said:
Unfortunately using punishment - and the corrector spray is punishment can have poor consequences - especially if your dog is acting that way through fear.

Yes, I agree with this. My dog's barking isn't excessive so doesn't warrant a specialised trainer. Always good, though, to hear of anything others have found successful.

DONNA

· #18 · Sep 17, 2011

Are you sure shes barking because she anxious?? sometimes Buddy barks at other dogs as if to say "hey im over here come say hello" ,as soon as i take him to greet the other dog he says hello then dosnt bark any more.
Even if she is anxious you could still take her over to greet other dogs etc this may make her less anxious about the situation,also id get as many men friends over that shes never met and get them to meet her and give her treats so she can see their friendly,or you could give the people shes barking at (while your out)treats to give her so reinforcing the fact that men etc are nice.??

Dylansmum

· #19 · Sep 17, 2011

DONNA said:
Are you sure shes barking because she anxious?? sometimes Buddy barks at other dogs as if to say "hey im over here come say hello" ,as soon as i take him to greet the other dog he says hello then dosnt bark any more.

Yes, there are lots of reasons for barking that may not be anxiety. Dylan is unbelievably vocal, but it's not anxiety at all - most often it's excitement. He barks at other dogs as a greeting; he barks or howls in triumph when he has a ball or a stick and to ask us to throw it; he barks for attention and he barks or howls for sheer joy when we are playing with him! In fact anything at all is an excuse for him to bark or howl

Sometimes I think I would like to quieten him down, but it's so much a part of his personality that I would feel like I was diminishing his joi de vivre!

Reactions: 1

EG1

· #20 · Sep 17, 2011

Certainly Alf's barking at agility is massive joi de vivre - but it was beginning to spread to other situations whenever he meets another dog. And he's on the verge of being thrown out of agility. So latest plan is homeopathy. Went to see homeopathic vet and he did an hour long consultation putting together an Alf personality profile - and came to the conclusion that he's a bit of a case! Homeopathic remedy duly arrived in the post the other day. Now, call it coincidence but we took him to a NT place this morning with lots of other dogs and he didn't make a sound! Not a single woof! Of course it could be a placebo effect, but I haven't told him I'm secreting the remedy in his treats...

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