Advice Please, Barking At People

[boothros]

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I've been asked what is the best way to approach a dog barking at people when 'defending' property. I can vouch for eight year old Charlies sweet nature and love of people, but his 'defensive' bark does sound rather ferocious. The post lady is used to him and doesnt mind but from his garden, he can also see people standing at the bus stop and he also feels the need to raise his views with them. Personally I've got 4 dogs who wouldnt dream of letting anyone go past the house without getting screamed at so I'm probably not the most qualified person to ask :b but I'm just wondering how anyone else might address the issue and whether or not you think it might be solvable? Whoever it was said that whippets were quiet dogs who dont bark much... lied.

 

[Janimal]

Mine are barkers too Im afraid, especially when folks come to the door...my latest visitors will

vouch for this.... :wacko:

Im never sure what to do either, but usually tell people to ignore them and do not make eye contact...usually

after a while the dogs do come to them....in their own time.

Like you no one would ever get into our house, which in a way is a good thing.

 

[FeeFee]

Is he barking from inside the house, or is this when he's out in the garden (or both)?

It's very natural for a dog to bark as a warning that there are people approaching the property so it's a hard one to tackle. Rather than trying to stop him completely I'd be inclined to try to train a 'quiet' command so he can give a couple of barks but then be told to stop.

I quite like Victoria Stillwell's approach to this - if a dog is barking stand quietly in front of it with your hand raised palm outwards in front of you, as soon as the dog stops barking click and reward. The dog learns to anticipate the treat, so let him bark but when you raise your hand he will stop - but it will take time and you will need to be very consistent and continue clicking and treating every time until this is really reliable. Once he has the idea you can add a 'quiet' command and gradually replace the hand signal.

Good luck!

 

[boothros]

Thanks so much guys, I hope you don't mind me crossposting your replies to the Scruples forum where the lady who asked can see them.

 

[boothros]

FeeFee I must admit as soon as I was asked the question I thought of Victoria Stillwell. I think just having him quieter would be a real result, as there are definite advantages to the barking as Jan pointed out. I think also Charlies owner is falling into the same trap that I myself have on many an occasion, worrying too much about what other people think (after all it's not Charlies fault they put the bus stop there and he's discovered that if he barks enough at them, sooner or later they all go away!)

 

[Seraphina]

The way I deal with my Whippets barking at passers-by is simple; mine are only in the back garden and I have planted a hedge along the front so they cannot see too much from the windows facing the street. Saying that, some bark less than others; the leader of the pack is usually the one who makes most of the effort to guard.

I do not think you can stop dogs barking at strangers; you may be able to reduce their barking when you are with them, but I bet anything, the moment you are not there they will bark. I am sure they will think it is their duty to protect the territory when you are not there.

My Borzois did not bark, but one of them would wait for people, who ignored the "do not enter, dogs on property" sign and walked in, to walk most of the way to the house, then he would stand up and bare his teeth, with deep growl. As the gate would set of bell in the house, I would watch from window how the person tried to work out if they have a chance to outrun the Borzoi the 30yards distance back to the gate LOL. When I came out the dog would just wagg his tail and his eyes were loughing.

When I was not at home the gate was locked, and dogs left in the house with access to a court yard.

 

[JAX]

The way I deal with my Whippets barking at passers-by is simple; mine are only in the back garden and I have planted a hedge along the front so they cannot see too much from the windows facing the street. Saying that, some bark less than others; the leader of the pack is usually the one who makes most of the effort to guard.
I do not think you can stop dogs barking at strangers; you may be able to reduce their barking when you are with them, but I bet anything, the moment you are not there they will bark. I am sure they will think it is their duty to protect the territory when you are not there.

My Borzois did not bark, but one of them would wait for people, who ignored the "do not enter, dogs on property" sign and walked in, to walk most of the way to the house, then he would stand up and bare his teeth, with deep growl. As the gate would set of bell in the house, I would watch from window how the person tried to work out if they have a chance to outrun the Borzoi the 30yards distance back to the gate LOL. When I came out the dog would just wagg his tail and his eyes were loughing.

When I was not at home the gate was locked, and dogs left in the house with access to a court yard.

Thats really funny ! LOL

My friend had a standard poodle who used to hide behind the gate , she had a sign on the gate saying , DO NOT OPEN OR LEAN OVER < RING THE BELL AND WAIT WELL BACK . One rep. didnt do as instructed and leaned over the gate , the poodle took a chunk out of his jacket sleeve

(w00t)

Once inside the dog was abig softie , well he was with me :sweating:

I personally dont mind mine barking in the house , lets folk know not to enter . The postmen have got used to them now , charging at the door.

once in, the dogs `check them out `and go back to sleep

 

[hares540]

You could try teaching your Dog the 'quiet' command. There's lots of information on the net to do this but you have to start off by teaching your dog the 'speak' command. To do this you say 'speak' to your dog then have a friend knock loudly on the door or ring the bell (basically anything to get the dog to bark). When the Dog barks you give him a treat. You continue this until he barks when you say 'speak' without any other intervention. You can then teach this quite command (which can be a bit trickier) by either saying 'quiet' as soon as the barking stops and giving a treat. OR holding out a treat whilst the dogs barking and say 'quiet', wait for him to stop then give him the treat. Either way remember that patients and consistency is the key!

Good luck!

 

[oakmoorehill]

We had a wood burner installed yesterday. OH was at home and the dogs weer shut in the other room out of the way. I got home from work just after 11am Some of the dogs started barking the men said to me they didn't know we had a dog they had been here since 9.30 and not heard a sound off them. The strange thing is my lot always bark when someone knocks at the door they must have known what the men were doing and the fact that as of from today they are going to have a lovely warm firs to curl up in front of.