Noisy Staffie, What to do?

[woodstock1]

Our 5 year old staff is making her own life very dull. If we go on a walk/ride that might involve stopping for a picnic/coffee/pint, she has to stay home

Her problem is that she whines, then sings, then sings and howls when she has to stop moving, she will even start if I meet someone and stop for a quick chat. It is really loud and really annoying!

I have tried ignoring her and praising her when (if) she is quiet, but this seems to have had no effect. I guess this is because ultimately she always gets what she wants and we move on and this is perhaps why it has got slowly worse rather than better. I have also tried packing a kong for her which keeps her entertained for a short time and then its back to the noise.

I am really sad that she is missing out on so much and also have my guilty moments as she is left at home for long periods with only the cat for occasional company. Although I could look on the bright side as I get twice as many walks-I,ll be super fit!

I was hoping that someone might have some advice for me. I am considering a collar (citronella/sonic etc) but have heard mixed reviews and don't really understand how the sonic one works.

Thanks for getting through this and thanks for any advice!

 

[Booboos]

Oh dear! That sounds like a weird problem!

Just to get this right: she is fine left at home, she is fine on walks as long as you keep on moving, but she starts howling when you stop? Then she stops as soon as you move off in any direction?

I have never come across this problem to be honest, but here are some thoughts (can't promise that any of them will help!!):

- what happens if you go for a really long, fast walk to exhaust here a bit and then stop?

- how about stopping on purpose and giving all your attention to stopping her from howling. Take a lot of really appealing small treats with you (sausage, cheese, etc), stop and directly praise her and treat her for being quiet, continue praising and treating, then walk on again. Stop and start at different times and for different intervals.

- Try a loud distracting noise when she howls, like a high pitched "pap, pap, pap" (can't really type what I mean!!!), or use a can with pebbles in it and as soon as she starts howling toss it to the ground as a diversion.

Hope one of these helps!

 

[competitiondiva]

mmmm a staffie singing and whinning!!! Nothing new there!!!! With regard to when she's doing it not sure i can be of any help or not! For stops like picnics etc try taking a rubber kong filled with food (tinned meat as harder to get out than treats) that will take her forever to get out! That may distract her. The citronella collars can work as long as they are used correctly although they never worked for my dalmation who was showing aggression to other male dogs! By the sounds of it it is just excitement getting the better of her, she can't wait to get going again!! Not sure how you train a dog not to get excited!!! Possibly take a toy and as soon as you stop throw it for her???? Although this would require you getting off all the time and throwing the toy may scare the horses!!!! Good luck anyway!

 

[BBH]

I know someone with a staffie and it does the same, loves the sound of its own voice. I hate the noise though it is totally distracting, if you go round there you can't hear yourselves talk. Not sure what the answer is though.

 

[jendie]

I think your Staffie has your training well in hand. Obviously an intelligent dog, those with lower IQs are soo much easier to handle.

Giving any attention whilst the barking is going on is rewarding the behaviour, so is giving in and walking on. I'd carry a water spray and give the dog a squirt when the chorus started, that would be enough to persuade most dogs to keep their mouths shut.