Terrier terror!!!

D

Daddy_Long_Legs

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 March 2008
Messages
532
Visit site
I've recently moved into an apartment block and we are on the bottom floor looking out on the sea. Very lovely but alot of people walk their dogs past and sometimes it's not a problem but my terrier goes bananas at a couple of regulars. She is fine with people, not overly friendly but friendly enough.
I usually leave the french doors open so she can come and go and I am usually at my computer which is 2 feet from the door. She has two pups which are going next week so I am just wondering will her behaviour improve? She wouldn't be used to living in an apartment as before she lived in a house with a garden in the country but my mum moved into a house that doesn't allow pets so I have taken her!!
She is used to other dogs as she lived with my OH for a while and he had 4 dogs!!!
 
Well terriers are gobby wee things but I imagine she'll quieten down once her pups are gone - however it is striking a balance between a dog alerting you to the fact that there are people outside, on 'her' territory, which is normal and good behaviour, and her shouting the place down at all hours of the day and night.

My dogs bark when people come on the yard or pass by on foot or on a bike. That's fine, as long as they stop when I tell them to.

You can control her with your voice or you can use something like a rattle bottle, pots and pans or keys on the floor to snap her out of it - but at the same time you don't want her to be mute!
 
As a terrier owner I sympathise! Its a case of you having to be quicker than them! During the summer months, I leave the back door open so the dogs can come and go as they please, but at times, if the terrier is being particularly noisy (we live adjacent to a byway & consequently have lots of activity) he will come in & be kept in a secure room. If you are quick, then having a hose pipe to hand to spray the dog with if he/she creates is very effective at subduing them. The key is to pre-empt them tearing out of the back door & hurling themselves at the fence! Get her listening to you & practice with recall, lots of praise & treats if required.
 
For now she is protecting the puppies,completely normal.This should ease of once they go,but the stock weapon of choice with mine is an old squeezy bottle filled with water..works a treat.:D
 
Luckily she doesn't bark all the time just when other dogs go by. She chased one this evening but they've made friends now.
And thankfully she is great with the neighbours kids!!!
 
blazingsaddles said:
As a terrier owner I sympathise! Its a case of you having to be quicker than them! During the summer months, I leave the back door open so the dogs can come and go as they please, but at times, if the terrier is being particularly noisy (we live adjacent to a byway & consequently have lots of activity) he will come in & be kept in a secure room. If you are quick, then having a hose pipe to hand to spray the dog with if he/she creates is very effective at subduing them. The key is to pre-empt them tearing out of the back door & hurling themselves at the fence! Get her listening to you & practice with recall, lots of praise & treats if required.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^ This, to go out and herd her back in, nothing overly vocal from you, jsut point indoors and walk behind her and mske her stay in for a selected amount of time and then let her back out with no fuss, if she begins again, then straight out and herd her in, use the pointy finger and "IN" the reprimand and association is that she looses soem of her outdoor time which she probably likes bery much.
 
She usually just runs away from me! But I have started rewarding her when she does come back in and she seems to be getting slightly easier!

Thank you for all the advice! The water bottle is a great idea!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top