[Marian]

The method I read about involved holding a treat right up to his nose and saying "no bark" when he starts barking. He won't be able to bark and sniff at the same time, and when he hasn't barked for five seconds, say 'good boy' and give him the treat. Then you just repeat that until he gets the idea. Also, when he's doing his watchdog barking, you're supposed to praise him briefly and then do the 'no bark' command.

Someone once told me that it's a good idea to teach your dog to bark on command in order to teach them to NOT bark on command. I guess it's because they learn what the word bark means, and they already know what the word no means. Theoretically, of course.

Good luck.

 

[KPoos]

Mine grumbles at every single person that walks by us. I always think it's a boy standard poodle thing. They tend to be very protective but I agree you want to have control.

 

[cbrand]

This is not "barking" this is sharp-shy behavior. This is very, very serious because it can escalate to biting if a dog feels threatened.

You need to contact a good behaviorist right away and get a professional opinion about how best to handle this behavior.

I might also have his eyes checked by a certified Opthamologist.

 

[tannerokeefe]

He is very socialized and doesnt do this when he is on a leash. Poor guy, I dont want him to be miserable.

 

[Locket]

I don't quite understand the situation...when/where is he offleash and what is he barking at?

If he doesn't bark when on leash, start your training on leash with the things he is cautious of. If he barks, give a leash correction, say "no bark" or "quiet". Once he stops barking on command while on leash, try it off leash.

Personally, if I take my dog off leash and he's barking and being cautious of everything, I would not take him off leash in public anywhere. Way too many uncontrollable factors like kids running up to him, dogs, ignorant adults that COULD trigger a fear bite. I too would contact a behaviourist.

I also do not believe it is a male poodle thing as Mitchell is perfectly content (albeit somewhat aloof) with any and all strangers.

 

[cbrand]

So he feels more secure on a leash. Based on that, I think I would leash him up even in the house if you have guests.

Still, going on your description, I would say that this behavior is motivated by fear. I'm always very nervous about this because my neighbors had a Standard Poodle named Baxter who behaved in a similar way. Baxter eventually bit a 12 yr old boy who surprised the dog as he went to jog past him on a trail in Boulder (bit him rather badly actually).

Please contact a behaviorist.

 

[Marian]

What cbrand said, if for no other reason than to safeguard your homeowners insurance and your bank account. I have a friend whose little chihuahua mix nipped at a boy who was taunting him (the dog had slipped out the garage door and was off leash at the time). It didn't even break the skin, but when the boy told his mother, she called animal control and the little dog had to be quarantined and my friend and his wife had to go to court to get him back. It was a nightmare for them and ended up costing them hundreds of dollars when all was said and done. Just when they thought the ordeal was over, they discovered it wasn't when they tried to renew their homeowners insurance.

 

[Pamela]

First of all so sorry to have been gone for so long, but I do occasionally lurk!! Ok, so Dutch has a bit of a barking problem!! He barks at everything and I NEED to nip this in the bud ASAP!! I t is so annoying and it also can be frightening to people who dont know Dutch. He is very cautious about things and barks and inches his way closer until he can get a sniff of whatever/whomever it is. Any suggestions?? I need something that I can do at any given moment. Thanks.

I did think about getting a spray bottle of water and spraying him whenever he barked out of line, but didnt know if this was ok to do.

I also do not want him to think he cant bark if he feels he needs to alarm us and things like that. [/


I also want them to bark if I need to be alerted - I have tried everything - including a personal trainer for the fear agression which worked - but the barking continued at anything or anyone going by the house. Recently I found a little miracle - its called Pet Agree - it is a little gadget that emits a loud high pitch when you press the button. So first I look to see what they are barking at - then say "enough" and then repeat 'enough' while pressing the button. I now don't even have to use it for Ginger - if I say enough - she stops! PTL! Teddy - who learned to bark from Ginger - is another story - but he is always another story - he looks at her and barks as if to say ='why aren't you barking!' its hysterical. But this little tool has made her obey my in other ways - without using it - she is just more obedient - I think she doesn't know I am doing it and seeks my protection - I dunno but it worked! try it - I got it at JBPets on line 40.98 with shipping. good luck!

 

[Olie]

First of all so sorry to have been gone for so long, but I do occasionally lurk!! Ok, so Dutch has a bit of a barking problem!! He barks at everything and I NEED to nip this in the bud ASAP!! I t is so annoying and it also can be frightening to people who dont know Dutch. He is very cautious about things and barks and inches his way closer until he can get a sniff of whatever/whomever it is. Any suggestions?? I need something that I can do at any given moment. Thanks.

I did think about getting a spray bottle of water and spraying him whenever he barked out of line, but didnt know if this was ok to do.

I also do not want him to think he cant bark if he feels he needs to alarm us and things like that. [/
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I also want them to bark if I need to be alerted - I have tried everything - including a personal trainer for the fear agression which worked - but the barking continued at anything or anyone going by the house. Recently I found a little miracle - its called Pet Agree - it is a little gadget that emits a loud high pitch when you press the button. So first I look to see what they are barking at - then say "enough" and then repeat 'enough' while pressing the button. I now don't even have to use it for Ginger - if I say enough - she stops! PTL! Teddy - who learned to bark from Ginger - is another story - but he is always another story - he looks at her and barks as if to say ='why aren't you barking!' its hysterical. But this little tool has made her obey my in other ways - without using it - she is just more obedient - I think she doesn't know I am doing it and seeks my protection - I dunno but it worked! try it - I got it at JBPets on line 40.98 with shipping. good luck!

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I am going to look into this Pet agree, sounds like something I may need.

I found the spary bottle effective if it's used to distract them from the barking. Not all dogs will get it. Two of my three it qorks for barking and mouthing the other dogs. Once they re-route their attention and you've asserted your your command..quite, stop, settle whatever it may be. It should be replaced with the correction, example quiet - ssshhhhhhh. Or if it is mouthing a toy or a hurt sound that makes their heads tilt then you know you have their attention.

 

[Pamela]

I tried that and it stopped the barking = at that moment - but the next time I had to do it again . That's why I like the Pet Agree - I don't even have to use it anymore

 

[Olie]

I tried that and it stopped the barking = at that moment - but the next time I had to do it again . That's why I like the Pet Agree - I don't even have to use it anymore

Yes your exactly right it does not have fast results.........hmmm

 

[tannerokeefe]

he barks when the kids and him are running around playing, when new people come in the yard, and when there is something he is not familiar with in the yard when I let him out to pee. It is mostly when he is playing, but it can be really annoying for the kids.


As far as a behaviorist goes, I am almost positive I do not have the money to spend on one. So this is something I need to try to correct on my own.

He has no aggressive bone in his body, he is just not a very confident dog.