How do I minamize my dog barking?

Question

I have a bearded collie puppy, he's 5 months old and he comes inside alot as i'm home a lot of the time. But when he's out side he's very vocal. I feel it's beginning to bother the neighbours as i've caught them with there head over the fence at him. I'm happy for him to bard just not so loudly and perhaps not so often. Any advice would be great.

Answer 1

Hi,
beardies herded by barking - so your dog has been bred to bark! You can try teaching him to bark on command, that way you can then teach him what 'quiet' means. Do you know what is making him bark - is it a terratorial thing (check it isn't kids winding him up on purpose)? If he's guarding let him have a few barks for doing his job, then say 'thank you' to let him know that you, as pack leader, have the situation under control and he can be quiet.If he's bored (beardies come from working stock and need their head, as well as their body, well exercised every day) you can try filling a kong with treats and let him spend hours getting them out, you can also get balls to fill with food and the dogs push them around trying to get the treats to fall out or maybe even build him a sand-pit for digging.

Do please think twice before getting a shock collar - I think they're still banned in the UK. You don't want him getting wet with a shock collar around his neck - nor being shocked every time another dog barks. You can get similar ones which puff out a citronella spray which they hate and work in the same way. In the UK environmental health and dog wardens will often lend you one of theirs to use until the dog has learnt to be quiet.

Enjoy your puppy - I'm extremely broody at the moment and would sooo love another pup. A case where the mind is willing but the bank manager isn't!

Elizabeth

Answer 2

Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. How to train your dog properly https://tr.im/ZN0Vs

Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.

However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.

A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.

Answer 3

My dog used to bark and I bought a device that emits high pitched noises (that dogs HATE) when they bark. Eventually they put 2 and 2 together and realize that if they don't bark the device won't squeal. I bought mine on eBay for about $50.00 which is a lot cheaper than the ticket you'll get if your neighbors complain!

Answer 4

Well there is "negative reinforcement" if he gets the idea he will come running or get attention everytime he barks, you have to start teaching him obedience. "Tough love." It's like our norwegian elkhound we got from a shelter a few years ago that barks everytime she hears the microwave beep because she figures mealtime is "mooch" time, so we step to the back door window and scold her, and yes she can hear us from inside without opening the door. And if your neighbors step up to the fence and speak to him when he barks, they are just encouraging him if you see his tail wagging, it means he is happy to have that attention from them. Are you giving your dog the daily attention/play/grooming/walk time he needs? It could be that when you put him out he feels like he is being punished if he is used to being indoors most of the time, he may not understand why he is outdoors and you aren't.

Answer 5

get a soda can put coins in then shake the can near the dog but not close. and scold it to be quiet but then after don't say im sorry or hug it then it will think it is ok to bark again

Answer 6

i h ave the same problem with my dog... i know this isnt an answer but why is it that everyone thinks you cant have a dog outside??? as long as you dont ignore them they are fine outside i have 2 male dogs and they are both outside in a fenced in area both are spoile rotten and both were in my home until they decided to play who can pee the most while i was away and when i wasnt looking so after a new rug was needed and my home smelt like a pound im srry but my dogs are now outside ...

Answer 7

Your dog is bored. We don't let our dogs out without human supervision, that is how we prevent their barking.

Answer 8

Yeah it's a big problem - especially for your neighbours.

Check this article out for some tips - http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-barking.html

Good luck with it.

Answer 9

they sell special collars for dogs that will emit an electrical current when they bark.....you may want to try this....they also sell muzzles which you strap on their snout to keep their mouths closed which will also assist in the training of your pup to stop barking.

Answer 10

train him, search your phone book for a good dog trainer, the younger he is taught, the better, as the saying goes: you can't teach an old dog new tricks.