We recently moved into a house where Hazel can see the street/sidewalk from the front window. She barks at EVERYTHING that passes. How do I control the barking? I want her to bark if someone comes to the door...just not at everything that passes by! Suggestion please
Thanks!
I picked up one of these when I had a problem with a barking dog years ago:
http://www.petedge.com/product/Training-.../45199.uts
It worked great. It beeps when the dog barks and they don't like the noise, so they stop. The downside is that loud noises like the vacuum cleaner or loud booms on TV will set it off, too. Now I usually just tell them "no" and if they keep barking, I go over and make them lay down and submit on their side. For the most part they never bark anymore. It's hilarious seeing a huge mastiff quietly peeking through the curtain when someone comes to the door.
If you're looking for more of a positive reinforcement method, you can train your dog to bark on command with clicker training. Then teach them a command for silence, using a better treat (higher reward). Once they know the commands, it's just a matter of practicing it.
I hope this helps
(11-23-2009 06:42 PM)mydog8it Wrote: [ -> ]I picked up one of these when I had a problem with a barking dog years ago: http://www.petedge.com/product/Training-.../45199.uts
It worked great. It beeps when the dog barks and they don't like the noise, so they stop. The downside is that loud noises like the vacuum cleaner or loud booms on TV will set it off, too. Now I usually just tell them "no" and if they keep barking, I go over and make them lay down and submit on their side. For the most part they never bark anymore. It's hilarious seeing a huge mastiff quietly peeking through the curtain when someone comes to the door.
If you're looking for more of a positive reinforcement method, you can train your dog to bark on command with clicker training. Then teach them a command for silence, using a better treat (higher reward). Once they know the commands, it's just a matter of practicing it.
I hope this helps
Thank you very much for your help! I like the beeping trainer that you mentioned. I think I will try that. I like that its only 35$, so we aren't out much if it doesn't work. Thanks again for the advice!
You're welcome. I hope it works for you, too.
maybe I'll regret saying this but my pup hardly barks at all...she sits and looks out the door and honestly I'd welcome a little bark at strangers...she just wags her tail and paws the door cuz she wants to socialize and love everybody !
(11-21-2009 10:32 AM)Ileana Wrote: [ -> ]We recently moved into a house where Hazel can see the street/sidewalk from the front window. She barks at EVERYTHING that passes. How do I control the barking? I want her to bark if someone comes to the door...just not at everything that passes by! Suggestion please Thanks!
Of course you wouldn't want to stop dog barking completely. Barking is a normal part of every dog's life. There are some solutions if it becomes a problem.
Have your dog checked. This is one of the first solutions you should consider. This is because dogs can bark or cry excessively if they are in pain or if they have health problems. Your dog may look great on the outside and you may not notice if he has any internal problems.
Once physical issues are ruled out, you can consider other possible reasons and solutions to stop excessive barking.
Your dog needs your attention, too. Spend more time with your dog. If your dog does not have any medical issues, he may have emotional or psychological issues. Some dogs bark too much simply because they are lonely or bored. A basic solution to this is for you to start spending more quality time with your dog.
Be careful though. Don't pet your dog when he is in one of his barking sessions. This may send the wrong message that you are allowing his behavior. Spend time with him but be firm when you have to. (See Video Link Below)
Let your dog exercise. Dogs have a lot of pent up energy. They need an outlet for this. If they can't release energy through physical activity, they will do so through barking. This is especially true for dog breeds that are known to have high energy levels like Chihuahuas. You can stop dog barking by letting your dog have some free time at the dog park. Aside from channeling energy properly, this is also a good way to give him opportunities to socialize. We don't take our Mastiffs to the dog park because we are contractually prohibited from doing so. Our breeder feels that there is too much risk in doing so, I tend to agree. Instead we go to a fenced in baseball field where they can fun freely and safely with no other dogs around. Or we just throw the ball in the back yard, they love it and that really burns off a lot of excess energy.
In some instances, formal discipline training may be necessary. Taking your dog to obedience school is one of the most effective ways to curb barking behavior. This is because expert trainers know the best methods to help dogs with behavioral issues. Keep in mind though that formal training does not always guarantee effective results. We have had great success using clicker training (positive reinforcement training) with our dogs. Not only does it work, but it really deepens the bond with them.
No way would I ever use a shock collar or other punitive device. I would consider the audible or scent based aversive devices only as a last resort. My preference is to find out what is going on with the dog, rule out a health problem and then see if they are getting enough attention and exercise. Once it is established that these issues are ruled out, then look at behavior modification from a positive methodology first. If all else fails you can always use a beeper.
Good luck!
Here's a short video
Click
(08-16-2010 05:36 PM)robo21 Wrote: [ -> ] (11-21-2009 10:32 AM)Ileana Wrote: [ -> ]We recently moved into a house where Hazel can see the street/sidewalk from the front window. She barks at EVERYTHING that passes. How do I control the barking? I want her to bark if someone comes to the door...just not at everything that passes by! Suggestion please Thanks!
Of course you wouldn't want to stop dog barking completely. Barking is a normal part of every dog's life. There are some solutions if it becomes a problem.
Have your dog checked. This is one of the first solutions you should consider. This is because dogs can bark or cry excessively if they are in pain or if they have health problems. Your dog may look great on the outside and you may not notice if he has any internal problems. Once physical issues are ruled out, you can consider other possible reasons and solutions to stop excessive barking.
Your dog needs your attention, too. Spend more time with your dog. If your dog does not have any medical issues, he may have emotional or psychological issues. Some dogs bark too much simply because they are lonely or bored. A basic solution to this is for you to start spending more quality time with your dog. Be careful though. Don't pet your dog when he is in one of his barking sessions. This may send the wrong message that you are allowing his behavior. Spend time with him but be firm when you have to. (See Video Link Below)
Let your dog exercise. Dogs have a lot of pent up energy. They need an outlet for this. If they can't release energy through physical activity, they will do so through barking. This is especially true for dog breeds that are known to have high energy levels like Chihuahuas. You can stop dog barking by letting your dog have some free time at the dog park. Aside from channeling energy properly, this is also a good way to give him opportunities to socialize. We don't take our Mastiffs to the dog park because we are contractually prohibited from doing so. Our breeder feels that there is too much risk in doing so, I tend to agree. Instead we go to a fenced in baseball field where they can fun freely and safely with no other dogs around. Or we just throw the ball in the back yard, they love it and that really burns off a lot of excess energy.
In some instances, formal discipline training may be necessary. Taking your dog to obedience school is one of the most effective ways to curb barking behavior. This is because expert trainers know the best methods to help dogs with behavioral issues. Keep in mind though that formal training does not always guarantee effective results. We have had great success using clicker training (positive reinforcement training) with our dogs. Not only does it work, but it really deepens the bond with them.
No way would I ever use a shock collar or other punitive device. I would consider the audible or scent based aversive devices only as a last resort. My preference is to find out what is going on with the dog, rule out a health problem and then see if they are getting enough attention and exercise. Once it is established that these issues are ruled out, then look at behavior modification from a positive methodology first. If all else fails you can always use a beeper.
Good luck!
Here's a short video Click
Thanks for all the suggestions. She has actually stopped barking at everyone who passes on the street. I think it was because we where in a new location and she wasn't used to so much activity. I also think it helped that I have socialized her more with people and other animals. She seems more trusting now.
She does need constant attention or she will bark at me though. She gets a lot of excersize. We go for a walk and a swim every afternoon before I we wind down for the day. If I am watching TV I have to sit on Hazel's couch and snuggle with her or sit on the floor with her. I enjoy the snuggly the time with her
(08-16-2010 05:36 PM)robo21 Wrote: [ -> ] (11-21-2009 10:32 AM)Ileana Wrote: [ -> ]We recently moved into a house where Hazel can see the street/sidewalk from the front window. She barks at EVERYTHING that passes. How do I control the barking? I want her to bark if someone comes to the door...just not at everything that passes by! Suggestion please Thanks!
Of course you wouldn't want to stop dog barking completely. Barking is a normal part of every dog's life. There are some solutions if it becomes a problem.
Have your dog checked. This is one of the first solutions you should consider. This is because dogs can bark or cry excessively if they are in pain or if they have health problems. Your dog may look great on the outside and you may not notice if he has any internal problems. Once physical issues are ruled out, you can consider other possible reasons and solutions to stop excessive barking.
Your dog needs your attention, too. Spend more time with your dog. If your dog does not have any medical issues, he may have emotional or psychological issues. Some dogs bark too much simply because they are lonely or bored. A basic solution to this is for you to start spending more quality time with your dog. Be careful though. Don't pet your dog when he is in one of his barking sessions. This may send the wrong message that you are allowing his behavior. Spend time with him but be firm when you have to. (See Video Link Below)
Let your dog exercise. Dogs have a lot of pent up energy. They need an outlet for this. If they can't release energy through physical activity, they will do so through barking. This is especially true for dog breeds that are known to have high energy levels like Chihuahuas. You can stop dog barking by letting your dog have some free time at the dog park. Aside from channeling energy properly, this is also a good way to give him opportunities to socialize. We don't take our Mastiffs to the dog park because we are contractually prohibited from doing so. Our breeder feels that there is too much risk in doing so, I tend to agree. Instead we go to a fenced in baseball field where they can fun freely and safely with no other dogs around. Or we just throw the ball in the back yard, they love it and that really burns off a lot of excess energy.
In some instances, formal discipline training may be necessary. Taking your dog to obedience school is one of the most effective ways to curb barking behavior. This is because expert trainers know the best methods to help dogs with behavioral issues. Keep in mind though that formal training does not always guarantee effective results. We have had great success using clicker training (positive reinforcement training) with our dogs. Not only does it work, but it really deepens the bond with them.
No way would I ever use a shock collar or other punitive device. I would consider the audible or scent based aversive devices only as a last resort. My preference is to find out what is going on with the dog, rule out a health problem and then see if they are getting enough attention and exercise. Once it is established that these issues are ruled out, then look at behavior modification from a positive methodology first. If all else fails you can always use a beeper.
Good luck!
Here's a short video Click
Thanks for all the suggestions. She has actually stopped barking at everyone who passes on the street. I think it was because we where in a new location and she wasn't used to so much activity. I also think it helped that I have socialized her more with people and other animals. She seems more trusting now.
She does need constant attention or she will bark at me though. She gets a lot of excersize. We go for a walk and a swim every afternoon before I we wind down for the day. If I am watching TV I have to sit on Hazel's couch and snuggle with her or sit on the floor with her. I enjoy the snuggly the time with her