I have a 6 month old westie and she's great in every way but one, she's house trained, crate trained, Sits, doesn't snatch. Plays nicely with the cat. She's not agressive but she barks and growls at strangers in the street. She socialises with my friends labradors and comes regularly into contact with other dogs. I try to ignore the behaviour so as not to reinforce but I don't want to seen to be not be doing anything to prevent it.
People are reluctant to approach a noisy/growly dog or let their dogs near. Sugestions welcome.
2007-03-12 06:54:54 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I got her when she was 15weeks so I dont know her early socialisation
2007-03-12 07:47:12 · update #1
Sounds like you are doing great with her in nearly every way, and well done for that. Its amasing how many people don't even get there dog to sit on command. So don't worry what people think when they see the behaviour, you know you are doing all you can.
There are two things to do, and don't worry, she is still very young so the problem should be straight forward to fix.
First
Everytime she growls or barks make her sit. get down to a low level and get her attention and get her to look you in the eye. then give her one of her favorite treats as a reward for paying attention to you. keep the treat only for this purpose, and by making sure it is her favorite she will want to be good for you.
Keep doing this, even when you see an improvement to reinforce the behaviour.
Keeping a diary of how many dogs she see's and how she reacts every time will help you see the imporvement, which may be slow and hard to notice otherwise.
Second.
When there is some improvement get some friends that she doesn't know to help you out. They must do exactly what you say though, and when you say it.
Get them to walk towards you, tell your dog to sit, and look you in the eye. When she is good get them to give her one of her favorite treats (but only when she is very good). You may have to get a few friend to help, as she will soon see them as friends, and the training will no longer work.
Be patient and very consistant and this will work, but it may take 2-6 weeks. But better to do it right now than have the problem persist.
Good luck, and if you have any problems feel free to message me.
2007-03-12 07:16:50 · answer #1 · answered by Fred 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing a background, I think it might just be that she's trying to protect you. I also have a westie and she growls, barks and hides from people that she doesn't know...more so in the house or in her own yard since a stranger is invading her and her family's territory. It usually takes a few times of making contact before she will get used to someone and stop growling. We either firmly tell her "Quiet" or "No" or we will say in a nice voice "You know (person's name)" and then she'll calm down. The thing with my dog though, that I don't know about your's is that my dog is all bark and no bite. She won't bite or snap unless she knows or thinks that someone is trying to hurt us. She has only went after and snapped at someone twice, with the same repair man, and she's 13 now. The first time was in our house, it was just her and my mom and my dog didn't like whatever the repair man was doing. The second time, we heard her going nuts outside and looked out and saw the same repair man just standing there in our driveway not moving. My dog was on a rope that prevented her from getting closer to him.
2007-03-12 16:36:33 · answer #2 · answered by Satnin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you socialise her with people before she was 14 weeks? That's when they associate good with bad...so if she didn't see many people before then, then she's simply associated them with bad, cos she doesn't know enough of them to see them as good.
Don't worry if you didn't, there's a way round it. Take her to all your friends houses, family etc...get people to visit you constantly for a week...let her see new faces, fat people, coloured people...every different type of person you can think of. She will growl and bark initially, cos that's all she knows how to do...but as soon as they start to fuss her, then she'll calm down...AND that's when you REWARD her, with treats. Just a simple "good girl" and stuff a treat into her mouth....she'll soon associate strangers with treats, and will eventually be able to see good in all people.
2007-03-12 14:01:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anon 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to use a clicker or other harmless noise deterrant.When she barks click or shake a rattle in front of her as if to surprise her and this should instantly stop her barking, and have her wondering "what was that". she will become aware that every time she barks she will be surprised in this way,until she stops altogether because shes forgoten to do it anymore. GOOD LUCK>WORKED FOR ME>
2007-03-12 14:04:55 · answer #4 · answered by patsy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the only way to get that to stop is a mild shock collar worked for me
good luck
2007-03-12 14:00:42 · answer #5 · answered by avenger3692000 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
tell her to sit say no every time she does it . it worked for me
2007-03-12 13:59:50 · answer #6 · answered by dunrockin404 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
have you tried using the gentle leader harness?
2007-03-12 13:59:39 · answer #7 · answered by hello_starshine 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋