Is it appropriate for my dog to bark at other dogs/people?

Question

My father and i seem to constantly debate about this issue. When our neighbors go by our driveway to take out the trash, or when another dog walks by, my dog goes crazy. i think this is innapropriate, though my father thinks that it is the dogs job.

Answer 1

It apparently is your dog's job since your dad says that it is but you are right because he is not doing his job as well we he could.

He should be barking at things that are out of the ordinary and are a potential problem which your neighbor taking out the trash or a dog on leash is not. He also should bark an alarm, not go crazy out of control which is probably a fear response.

You can teach him to bark at some things and not others so that he is a good watchdog but not a nuisance. When he barks, just go to the window and look out with him. Tell him that he is a good boy for barking and then tell him to hush. Praise and/or give him a treat when he stops barking. You will have to repeat this for everything you don't want him to bark at but he will learn what to do.

Yelling at him just sounds like barking which means he will continue barking and will not learn anything.

Answer 2

it depends on the person. Some want their dogs to bark and warn to protect. Others want no sound, some others do not care and their dogs bark all of the time at everything.

You and your father need to set boundaries for the dog saying when it is ok to bark. If they bark at someone coming to the door for instance, praise them to let them know that you hear them and that it is good for them to bark then. If they bark at someone randomly walking by, yell at them to let them know it is not ok then. Your neighbors will appreciate it as well.

Our dogs know that they are only allowed to bark when a strange car comes up the driveway, if there is a strange animal in the yard, or one of the other animals are running around. Otherwise, they get yelled at, and get the picture pretty quick, as long as it is consistent.

Answer 3

In my opinion, it is appropriate for the dogs to bark at the "intruders" (or alleged intruders), however it would also be proper behavior if you can call out "That'll do, thank you!" and have them leave off the barking and trot back over to you. With rare exceptions, I don't feel that it is at all appropriate for your dogs to decide entirely on their own what and who to guard the property from. It is reasonable for them to alert and let you know of a possible threat ("Hey, rampaging squirrel at 2:00!"), but from there, YOU get to make the call and tell them whether there is an actual threat ("Okay, I see it now but it's not a problem... thanks!).

Answer 4

Your dog should get used to the neighbor's habits and stop barking at them. He can woof to let you know they're doing it, after that tell him to stop it.
Let him bark a little more when another dog walks by, it's his nature to announce his territory.
Barking is so natural to a dog that you can't squelch it without making him neurotic. Teach him to limit it and to recognize which things deserve more or less barking.

Answer 5

well, if your dog isnt familiar with something or isnt used to them i'd think they bark to protect you, my dog does the same thing, hes a very good dog but when he hears a car come up in the driveway he barks & then everyone knows someones there, so i dont nesesarily think its appropriate but i dont think its wrong, its how dogs are, there way of talking haha but yeah =)

Answer 6

Yes, my dog does the exact same thing.

Answer 7

You are right. It's NOT your dog job to be a barker.
Saying that, it could be a loooong long debate.

Answer 8

Yes most dogs do it but it's not appropriate.

Answer 9

most dogs do that..it's normal.