I have been training my 7 month Cocker from the Cesar Millan and New Skeet training books and having great success. The only problem is he is so incredibly friendly with everyone that he won't announce visitors at the door. He just runs up, tail wagging. Is there any feasible way of getting him to do this?
2006-07-08 23:59:10 · 8 answers · asked by The Oregon Kid 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all, THANK YOU for training your dog in a kinder way! There are so many people out there that haven't bothered to research New Skeet or Cesar Milan, and it's refreshing to hear you're well informed!!
There are a few ways to encourage the dog to bark, and one I know of is the same way to teach "speak." I advise the use of a clicker, but a "good boy" with impeccible timing works just as well. Put the pup on a sit stay, and pull some really great toy, food item or whatever gets your puppy motivated to bark normally (even if it's you doing jumping jacks and laughing like a loonatic) and the SECOND he barks, click and reward (or "good boy" and pet). Once he learns the cue means to bark, you can either add the word "speak" to the cue or add the help of a friend and have the friend knock at the door to get the dog barking.
Another way was described in a book for guard training. There are dogs classified by the type of protection they offer. The levels range from "alert dog" to "man stopper." An alert dog is one needed to bark to alert you to the danger (common sense, right?LOL) The way to train that is to use friends, neighbors, acquantiances and strangers. Anyone willing to act "off" and have them approach the dog in a sort of hunched over, lumbering way, I've dubbed the "creepy walk." If the helper wants to, drooling or limping are totally encouraged, as is carrying a suspicious looking empty pillow case. THE SECOND the dog notices the creepy person, the creepy person has to slink AWAY. (You've got the dog leashed or otherwise secured in the yard so the pup can't run over and greet the guy...) Gradually building up to where interest alone does not cue your helper to walk away, and you're looking for a bark. The first noise, be it growl, bark, yip or whatever, the helper walks away as if frightened to within an inch of his/her life. This builds the dog's confidence enough, thinking "hey, every time I bark, the 'bad guy' goes away." And makes a wonderful alert dog.
Mind you, a seven month old puppy is still learning who's pack and who's not. Don't do too much of this kind of alert training until the dog's more mature like a year or more. That's when pack members are established, and the dog will discriminate more.
Good luck with your puppy and Thanks again for being one of the few responsible owners out there :)
2006-07-09 05:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's still a baby. Don't expect any barking or protective behavior before 18 months. Cockers are hunting dogs that are supposed to be friendly - be glad you've got a good one!! (Many Cockers are nervous and bark out of FEAR.) DON'T encourage him to bark now - or you'll be really sorry for the next twelve years!
2006-07-09 05:24:00 · answer #2 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You _want_ your dog to bark? Just checking :-) There are numerous ways to do this, but they take time, effort and patience. Does he already bark under specific circumstances? If so, then cause those same conditions when someone comes to the door and when he barks, reward him immediately. Reward only means to give him something that he really likes, which could be a treat, petting, brief play with a favorite toy, etc. If he doesn't bark at all, then we'll have to get past that hurdle first. . . - g^2
2006-07-09 00:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by ex-geek now trains dogs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/46gPt
If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.
It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.
2016-02-15 05:33:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are great anticipators. First teach your dog to bark on command. Then have someone stand outside the door and knock/ring bell. As soon as they do give the bark command. Soon when he hears someone at the door he will anticipate that you want him to bark and will do it. After he learns to bark on command he can be taught to hush on command.
2006-07-09 00:22:01 · answer #5 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cocker spaniel didn't start barking until he was about 1. Once they start they don't stop...Give him time he's still a puppy.
2006-07-09 02:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by Mommy Pit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No suggestion, but if you want. I have 3 dogs that bark everytime a leaf drops. I'll trade ya!
2006-07-09 00:34:34 · answer #7 · answered by Andyman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is your dogs way of announcing strangers are at the door.
Be happy and enjoy you dog for the way he is
2006-07-09 00:51:17 · answer #8 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋