WOOF WOOF WOOF...shut up?!

[bex1984]

I'm wondering if you guys would be able to offer some advice on barking. Stan (who is now 9 months old) has developed a bit of a habit of barking - it is very much when he wants to alert me to possible danger, so I think in his little Terrier world he is only doing what he thinks he needs to do.

He particularly does it at 6am at the yard when no one else is around - the owners live on site ans I'm sure they don't want to be woken up by Stan!! He also does it at home in the evenings if there are noises outside - we live in a terraced house so a) people walk directly past the front door a lot, and b) the neighbours are very close and I don't want to disturb them, particularly as one of the neighbours is pregnant.

The last thing I want to do is raise my voice in response as I'm sure he just sees that as me joining in with the woofing!! But I'm not quite sure what I should be doing to tell him to shush - to tell him I've heard his warning, but everything is fine and he doesn't need to warn me....or if this is what I should be doing?? He does go quiet sometimes if I just stroke his head, but that involves a lot of stopping, putting mucking out tools down, walking over to him etc...

 

[CorvusCorax]

You stop what you are doing and pet him when he barks? RESULT!

Me personally, I use a very long, low, growly voice, nothing high pitched or exciteable, using NO or QUIET or AH AH or ENOUGH. I don't ask them to be quiet, I tell them.
You can also try and shock him out of it using pots and pans, car keys thrown on the floor or something, that works better with smaller dogs IME.

 

[bex1984]

I know - it seems really wrong to stop and stroke him when he makes a noise - it's been a bit 'needs must' when he's shouting at 6am at the yard TBH!!

I do tend to say 'quiet' or 'enough' in a low voice but if he's in full flow (which comes complete with some impressive howling!) he takes no notice. Will try making a sudden sharp noise, that may well work as he doesn't like that - thank you!

 

[mollichop]

Yep I use AH AH for Paddi when he goes to bark at joggers or cyclists. "Erm excuse me, we don't need to hear your voice at this time of the morning/night thankyou"! works well too

 

[3DE]

A dog will only bark if it feels the need to defend the territory. If you discipline the dog when he does so you are showing that you are the one protecting him so over time he will lose the need to bark to defend you - you are defending him The more secure you make your dog feel the less he will feel the need to take charge himself...

Edit - but don't shout at him - he doens't understand what you are shouting and will just see it as you barking with him Have a clear, single word command, like quiet or shush.

 

[Brownmare]

The following system has worked with our noisy terrierist:

Susie: WOOFWOOFWOOFWOOOOF!!
Me: Thankyou Susie that's ENOUGH (said in firm but low tones )
Susie: Woof.........woof
Me: Come here now (then when she gets to me) good girl, enough now (plus patting, ear scratching etc to distract)
Susie: Wuf (pushing her luck and she knows it)
Me: BED! NOW! (in my angriest voice)

In the early stages I would also give a treat for the recall but you have to make sure she is quiet at the moment of treating or you are rewarding the barking Treats that have to be chewed a bit work well because obs it's difficult to bark and chew at the same time. Good luck - terrierists are strong willed little beggars so you just have to be more bloody minded than them..............

 

[GinnieRedwings]

The following system has worked with our noisy terrierist:

Susie: WOOFWOOFWOOFWOOOOF!!
Me: Thankyou Susie that's ENOUGH (said in firm but low tones )
Susie: Woof.........woof
Me: Come here now (then when she gets to me) good girl, enough now (plus patting, ear scratching etc to distract)
Susie: Wuf (pushing her luck and she knows it)
Me: BED! NOW! (in my angriest voice)

In the early stages I would also give a treat for the recall but you have to make sure she is quiet at the moment of treating or you are rewarding the barking Treats that have to be chewed a bit work well because obs it's difficult to bark and chew at the same time. Good luck - terrierists are strong willed little beggars so you just have to be more bloody minded than them..............

LOL

I have a terrierist and have very much the same problem as OP - 6 months old and LOVING the sound of her own voice... Will very much be keeping an eye on that one...

 

[Patches]

My Cocker is very vocal, I believe it's a common trait with Cockers.

I tried to ignore him, as he was barking for attention....generally when he sees me preparing food or eating, his way of saying "give me some woman" I guess. Problem is, Harvey is then convinced I am deaf, I think, and resorts to doing the most hilarious tigger impressions, boinging about next to me, whilst barking ever louder! GRRRRR!!!!!

Seems he responds best to me saying "NAUGHTY BOY.....quiet" in a menacing growl. He backs away. Doesn't last long though.

He really can be quite naughty the second he sees me open the fridge door. I blame my horrible children as I strongly suspect they used to open the door and feed him bits of meat etc. The same applies to barking when we eat, I think they used to feed him off their plates when I wasn't looking to make me think they'd finished their meals enough for dessert! Baaad children!

 

[echodomino]

The following system has worked with our noisy terrierist:

Susie: WOOFWOOFWOOFWOOOOF!!
Me: Thankyou Susie that's ENOUGH (said in firm but low tones )
Susie: Woof.........woof
Me: Come here now (then when she gets to me) good girl, enough now (plus patting, ear scratching etc to distract)
Susie: Wuf (pushing her luck and she knows it)
Me: BED! NOW! (in my angriest voice)

In the early stages I would also give a treat for the recall but you have to make sure she is quiet at the moment of treating or you are rewarding the barking

Glad it's not just me that talks to the dogs And mum did that to teach the German Wire to "speak" all though it was "say please" - which is what Flora would do if she wanted what you were eating lol!

 

[bex1984]

Good luck - terrierists are strong willed little beggars so you just have to be more bloody minded than them..............

oh yes - and don't I know it!!? Fortunately I have a cob x native pony so am not new to stubborn animals!!

I have been trying growling at him in a low voice over the weekend, it does seem to be helping and quietening him down (a bit!!). He is definitely defending his territory (either our house or my stable).