Barking

[claire_p2001]

Hi guys advice needed please. My dog barks when excited mainly in the house e.g. when i'm getting ready to go for a walk or when we are playing. I think this is normal behaviour and thats it is ok if he only does it at these times but my other half think he should never bark and that its a sign of dominence/agression. So what should I do? Stop him barking or it is natural? He never goes to bite and as soon as we have the lead on/ stop play he stops.
Thanks

 

[CorvusCorax]

Sounds like excitement more than dominance to me.
It's not the worst thing in the world but if you want to stop it...

Do not reward it. He barks, and you go out for a walk, so he will not know it is not good behaviour if you see what I mean.

If he starts barking, put the lead away, ignore him, turn away from him.
When he stops barking, pick it up again. The longer the silences get, the more praise.
Teach him that he will not get out until he is quiet rather than the way you are doing it now.
Don't shout back at him in a high pitched way or get stressed as that will prolong and heighten the barking.
If you do feel the need to speak, make it very low, very loud and very calm, 'ENOUGH' or 'STOP' or 'QUIET' and when he stops barking, praise or give him a food treat.

Keep everything very firm and calm.


Barking when playing is a different matter, he is just vocalising his excitement.

 

[CAYLA]

Agree with CC......nothing to do with domainnce it's sheer excitment, he relates u getting ready to going for a walk (which he loves) as suggested do some exercises and remove the que, i.e take your caot back off and out the lead away, he will then settle again, mix up the things, take him out the back door some days, put your coat on out of sight, or use a negative distraction be firm and as suggested a NO! or a rattle bottle to shake at him with the NO! or remove him to the kitchen and proceed to get ready again, keeps removing him everytime he displays the over the topness, until he realises he ain't going know where until he settles, when he does tell him to sit and treat him.