Stopping Fear Barking?

Question

How can I stop my one year lab male to stop fear barking all the time? He gets really scetched out by most noises in my apartment complex, growls and barks, his haunches go up and I can never get him to calm down, or forget about the noises...I've tried treats, but thats just rewarding the behavior, I've tried ignoring it and letting him work it out, but my neighbors cant take too much of that, I dont want to give him any negative consequences like a bark collar or yelling at him, because that'll only make it worse, I'm just at a loss, recently I've just been putting him in a time out and letting him be....any hints??

Answer 1

It sounds like you are trying all the right things. Remember to put in 100% to what ever you decide to do. You need to be consistent - always react the same way. Dogs need predictability in their lives. Desensitisation may also be really useful but try putting your self in your dogs shoes. Why is he barking at these noises, does he know what they are? Has his fearless leader freaked out everytime he has heard the noises or investigated or laid back and ignored them? Do you yawn and look the other way when the noise starts or do you get up or worry about the what the neighbours are thinking. Your dog will pick up on this and no amount of desensitisation will help. If your dog runs to the door, do you walk in the opposite direction totally uncaring about the noise? I suspect that if you can really make yourself not care, your dog will not care. Dont yell, dont use collars, nor treats, or patting or saying it is ok. Do use desensitisation and time out if you have to but if you TOTALLY ignore it, he will also learn to ignore it. If you walk away from the noise and go to another room (make him chase you) you distract him and he will watch you instead of reacting to the noise. After all he is barking to warn you, to tell you. If you tell him through your body language you are not interested he will submit. Anytime you move toward the noise he is ready to go get it with you, anytime you say no he is not hearing no he hears youre scared. You are telling him you are concerned. Unfortunately labs in apartments are not good combinations. I hope you are managing to run him at least 2 times daily and giving him toys to play with inbetween. Hope things workout.

Answer 2

Make at time out area with a comfy bed for him, preferably sound proofed, and record all the noises that set him off. Put him in his time out area at night, and play the tape(all night) but not loud enough to get him really going. After a few days, when he has got used to the sounds, turn it up a little and see how he goes. Keep turning it up till its just a bit louder than the regular noises. This sounds cruel but it will desensitize him to the sounds around him. Get some melissa(lemon balm)and clary sage essential oils and sprinkle a few drops on his bed, its calming. Also try a light tea made from catmint diluted into his drinking water(light sedative). Also try playing some classical music softly for him when you arent home. I hope this works. It did for my bull arab about thunder storms.