If a dog has barked constantly for years,is it too late to train it to stop.?

Question

My mother-in-law has let her dog be the boss for years. It barks ALL the time. Is there any way of re-training it, or is it too late?

Answer 1

No its not!! It'll just take a little bit more time & effort - dogs are pets - humans are in charge!

Try this - www.canineconcepts.co.uk

Answer 2

no- it's not too late - use something to distract the dog and say "NO" firmly when the dog barks for no reason. You can use a water spray or a plastic bottle filled with a few stones and shaken loudly - for dogs that don't take much notice of you to begin with!

Praise the dog once he/she is quiet. Encouraging good behaviour is as important as correcting bad behaviour.

Another idea (though more expensive) is a bark collar - you can get collars that automatically give a small shock to the dog as a reprimand for barking - or more humane ones that emit a high pitched noise or squirt a citronella scent to make the dog sneeze. Some companies will let you hire these collars instead of buy - which could help if you're on a budget.

Answer 3

Possibly. An animal that behaves one way for years has an ingrained habit.
You see zoo animals that obsessively pace their cage. When put into a bigger cage they stick to the old route, because they can't break the habit. Its gone beyond normal habit and thats called 'stereotypical behaviour'. Its very rare to see stereotypical behaviour in a pet; when you do, its disturbing.
But some pets are well on the way there.

It depends on when and why the dog is barking. You can't stop bad habits, you have to replace them with new, wanted behaviours. So you would have to teach the dog a new routine to replace the old one, not just expect it to stop.
If its barking from frustration then try giving it a squeaky toy. Its nearly as irritating as the barking, but will show whether or not the dogs behaviour can be diverted. You might try weaning it off barking in stages.

If the dog is boss and is male, neutering may help over time but only if used with a new training routine. If its female, spaying increases the dominance in dominant females so could make matters worse.

The problem here is that it is you m.i.l's dog. She would have to change her attitutde and behaviour towards the dog, and be consistant. Dogs hate to lose their place as top dog and it would fight her all the way.
She's probably not going to go along with this. If ahe wanted to re-train her dog she'd get help to do it. But its useless anyone else doing it for her - at some point they have to go home and she'd be left with athe dog.

Answer 4

It is never too late to train a dog although the longer the bad behaviour is established - the longer it will take to correct the problem.
You have identified that the route of the problem is that your mother in law has let the dog be boss for many years. You are very likely absolutely correct in this observation - however I think that you need to realise that the mother in law is going to need retraining before you can expect the dog to change! She needs to be educated about how to show the dog she is boss. Some people just aren't interested in this - others love to learn new ways and are humble enough to change.
Buy her some Jan Fennell books to get her started and motivated!

Answer 5

IT's never too late, but it will take time and consistency on your part. Every time she starts to bark, distract her, get her to stop. When she stops barking, give her a treat. She'll learn that being quiet is good.

Also, a tired dog is a good dog. Long daily walks, and games and activities designed to work her mind will help curve the barking too.
Good luck!

Answer 6

It's never too late to train a dog. They are highly intelligent animals. It will however, be more difficult to correct an undesirable behaviour that has been allowed to continue for such a long time frame.
Do your research, choose an action plan to change the behaviour pattern, reward your dog frequently when he is behaving and don't be too hard on him - be patient it will probably take some time to correct this problem. Good luck! :)

Answer 7

It is never to late to retrain a dog. But you and your mother in law have be on the same page. If you receive guidelines from a professional trainer and you both don't follow along, then the conflicting signals will confuse the dog and you won't get anywhere!

Answer 8

dogs usually bark for a reason. Is the dog getting enough attention? my I have a bull dog and he doesn't just sit and bark. but my family gives him so much attention, he is really truly like one of the family. Back to your situtation, I have heard 'you cant teach an old dog new tricks' try giving it lots and lots of love and attention I think thats about all you can do at this point good luck

Answer 9

its never too late. When the dog starts to bark, keep a little water pistol in easy reach, and fire the water at the dog. Its not harmful and the shock should stop the dog from barking. If this doesnt work, clap your hands loudly every time it barks, one of these should work as they worked for me (well ,my dog)!!!!!!

Answer 10

have relaxing with attempting! i ultimately had to motel to the bark collar because I had to run outdoors each 2 minutes to yell at my canines. Everytime yet another canines barks or it see's a fowl or squirrel it really is going to bark. I wish you success and need you've the time and staying power to get this treated.

Answer 11

Yes you can still train it to stop but its going to take some time. Everytime it barks you need to hold its snout and say a firm NO. good luck.