Barking!

[TracyS]

Hello Som Dog Group

I've had a shelter dog for 7 years now, a shepherd-chow mix. Boy does she like to bark. Alert barking BIG TIME. I have tried redirecting with clicker and treats, which works only for the time it takes her to eat her Charlie Bear and then usually -- not always -- it's right back to the window. She also frequently barks/lunges at dogs on her walks (not always) and although I tried the clicker/treat outside she immediately goes into food aggression zone and having treats along actually makes her behavior worse. She goes crazy when the cleaning people come and when my boyfriend's kids come home from school. Aside from that she is actually sweet and can be a very good dog. Excellent on leash, when not lunging at another dog and frequently her barking comes with a wildly wagging tail. Does anyone know of a dog trainer that they have worked with specifically on the barking issue and have had success? I would love a recommendation. Barking-specific success stories only please. I've worked with one other trainer, but haven't had success. And yes, I know I'm part of the problem somehow. Thank you. 

[lisa.m...@comcast.net]

Hi Tracy,

We had that same problem with both of our dog when we first adopted them (so image this issue times 2!). We brought in a trainer who trained who to train them, and his advice was excellent. Every time your dog barks, lunges, etc., have your dog sit. Reward the dog with a treat or praise, so the dog knows this is the right thing to do. Basically, a dog needs to be shown what the correct behavior is. When she runs to the window and barks, put a leash on her, take her away from the window, and have her sit. When she sits, reward her. Every time she barks, take her away from the window, and repeat the commands/rewards. Our dogs love to spend time on our second floor balcony and in the backyard. They learned pretty quickly that if they bark, they are taken away from those areas immediately.

It does take time to train a dog, so please be patient. Good dog behavior comes with consistent messages and a lot of patience on your part. In fact, our neighbors often comment on "how we never hear your dogs." But that did not happen overnight! (Personally, I never found the clicker to be that useful, but it might be for some other people and their dogs.)

This same method works well for her lunging at other dogs and several other issues (jumping up on people, etc.) It takes a while, but again, with consistency and positive reassurance, you can get a really well-mannered pup.Our dogs are both part Husky, who are incredibly stubborn when it comes to training, so it was like training cats, but all that work paid off within a few months. Some of their issues took up to six months to train, but we have had them for 10 years now, and they have been great overall.

I am working a deadline and can address more of the issues below specially later. I can tell you that 90% of our training our dogs came from "the Power of Sit" as we call it.

Cheers,

Lisa and Justin

Circe and Prospero

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From: "TracyS" <tracy.s...@gmail.com>
To: somdog-d...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 11:31:07 AM
Subject: [somdog-L] Barking!

Hello Som Dog Group

I've had a shelter dog for 7 years now, a shepherd-chow mix. Boy does she like to bark. Alert barking BIG TIME. I have tried redirecting with clicker and treats, which works only for the time it takes her to eat her Charlie Bear and then usually -- not always -- it's right back to the window. She also frequently barks/lunges at dogs on her walks (not always) and although I tried the clicker/treat outside she immediately goes into food aggression zone and having treats along actually makes her behavior worse. She goes crazy when the cleaning people come and when my boyfriend's kids come home from school. Aside from that she is actually sweet and can be a very good dog. Excellent on leash, when not lunging at another dog and frequently her barking comes with a wildly wagging tail. Does anyone know of a dog trainer that they have worked with specifically on the barking issue and have had success? I would love a recommendation. Barking-specific success stories only please. I've worked with one other trainer, but haven't had success. And yes, I know I'm part of the problem somehow. Thank you. 

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[Mary]

I have the same dog problem pass on any suggestions please.

Thanks,

Mary

 

On Apr 16, 2014, at 11:31 AM, TracyS <tracy.s...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Som Dog Group

I've had a shelter dog for 7 years now, a shepherd-chow mix. Boy does she like to bark. Alert barking BIG TIME. I have tried redirecting with clicker and treats, which works only for the time it takes her to eat her Charlie Bear and then usually -- not always -- it's right back to the window. She also frequently barks/lunges at dogs on her walks (not always) and although I tried the clicker/treat outside she immediately goes into food aggression zone and having treats along actually makes her behavior worse. She goes crazy when the cleaning people come and when my boyfriend's kids come home from school. Aside from that she is actually sweet and can be a very good dog. Excellent on leash, when not lunging at another dog and frequently her barking comes with a wildly wagging tail. Does anyone know of a dog trainer that they have worked with specifically on the barking issue and have had success? I would love a recommendation. Barking-specific success stories only please. I've worked with one other trainer, but haven't had success. And yes, I know I'm part of the problem somehow. Thank you. 

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[Amy Parker]

My dog can also be reactive on leash to other dogs.  I wish I could predict which dogs she will bark at and which ones she will do her happy wiggle dance for... 

One thing I would add....  I realized I was not waiting long enough between bad behavior and good behavior to deliver that very delicious treat. I was, in effect, rewarding the bad behavior without realizing it.  I now make sure that I give an extra 2-3 seconds for the good behavior to keep happening before giving the treat.   (i.e. sit, change direction when we encounter her neighborhood nemesis-dog, cat, etc.)

[Libby Curtis Webb]

We had the same issue and worked with Elsa Larsen on this. Her approach is called "time outs" and it's a lot like what Lisa and Justin have done.

Time outs: Have both dogs leashed. When one of the dogs make mistakes, say “time out” (matter of factly—not angrily) and lead them over and loop their leash over the doorknob and walk away for 30 seconds. Nonchalantly let them off the doorknob after 30 seconds. When used consistently for a couple weeks it was life changing for us.

[big...@cape.com]

Contact Adria at Dog Willing. http://www.dogwillingma.com/

I have not had this problem myself, but am a local dog walker plugged in
to a network of professional, experienced Boston area trainers and
behaviorists. Adria comes highly recommended, and the clients I have
referred to her are very happy (and behaving much better!).
Nancy

[GreenHome Realty]

Hello:

I have a lively, stubborn Labradoodle who is a real barker too. I use/used the "barky collar" which gives her a shock when ever she barks. I know it sounds horrible but I only needed to use it for a little while...now all I have to do is say, "Do you want the barky collar?" and she restrains herself....I don't even need to pick it up. If I'd needed to keep using it I would have stopped, but since she got the message right away I think it's a useful tool.

She's a lunger too. All I do for this is when we approach people I shorten the lease to right beside me. She picks up on the message right away and restrains herself. I don't like using treats because of what Amy said...I feel it can be interpreted by the dog as rewarding the behavior.

--

Damian Musello

Broker

GreenHome Realty, LLC

26 White Street, Cambridge, MA. 02140

Email: GreenHo...@gmail.com

Phone: 617-650-6480

Member of the Multiple Listing Service; Massachusetts Licensed Broker; HomeGain Top Producer and Gold Club® Member; Certified Buyer Representative; Certified Negotiation Specialist; Certified Title Examiner.

Looking to buy or sell? Know someone who is? Contact GreenHome Realty and receive personal, full-attention, service.

We donate a portion of all our profits to environmental organizations.

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Damian Musello

Broker

GreenHome Realty, LLC

26 White Street, Cambridge, MA. 02140

Email: GreenHo...@gmail.com

Phone: 617-650-6480

Member of the Multiple Listing Service; Massachusetts Licensed Broker; HomeGain Top Producer and Gold Club® Member; Certified Buyer Representative; Certified Negotiation Specialist; Certified Title Examiner.

Looking to buy or sell? Know someone who is? Contact GreenHome Realty and receive personal, full-attention, service.

We donate a portion of all our profits to environmental organizations.