im confused, when do you ignore barking and when do you say "quiet" or what ever command you have. I agree ignoring them is good but the other neighbors dont enjoy that. any ideas the book lists both but almost contredicts itself thanks.
I have a 5 yrs old Border Collie mix, Holly, who is very smart and has mastered a lot of commands (thanks to the power of treats and positive reinforcement!). Her only problem is "Barking". She barks a lot and it drives us crazy sometimes. There are different reasons why she barks and I am using both methods, ignoring and discipline, depending on the reasons.
Ignoring worked great to correct her behavior when I come home from work. She was so excited to see me so she started barking as soon as she heard my car driving in. I got off the car and stopped in the driveway until she stopped barking. Then I walked toward the front door. As soon as she barked I turned around and walked back. I repeated this for a few times until she became quiet and I finally came in the door. I repeated this practice for a few days. Your neighbors would think you are going crazy but who cares! This is a way to stop an excitement barking.
Holly also barks a lot when she has something to say; "It's dinner time! Feed me now!" "Let me out there are squirrels in the yard!" "Let me do it, I can do it!" (this is while she is waiting for her turn at training classes)
These demanding barking is hard to control. This is her way of communicating but she still should learn to be quiet, and she is totally capable of learning. Because she has learned to wait before jump off the car even though there is a squirrel in front of her. She has learned how to control her behaviors so I don't understand why I am still working on this type of her barking.
For those situations listed above, I use a spray bottle and voice reprimand, along as distracting her with another command. In the class room, I would rather put her in work; "Watch me" or "Stay" or "Leave it (by throwing a piece of treat in front of her)".
When she barks excessively asking me to let her out, I would say "Quiet" and "Sit" before I let her out.
When she sees me putting on a jacket she would expect me to go out for a walk and she barks saying "Take me first! Take me now!". She does not stop barking until I squirt her with a water on the face. This is to catch her attention. Then, make her "Down" and "Wait". When I am not planning to take her or any of my other dogs I simply say "No, you are not going" then she goes back to her chair.
Anyway, I am still working on her barking issue with a hope that she will learn this soon. She can learn all kinds of commands and tricks but I don't know why it is so hard to break this bad habit!
Have just moved into a flat and my rescue dog whines when I leave. I now have 2 dogs as I thought she needed company. Any suggestions? I am not there to hear so it is hard to monitor.
