My Tibetan mastiff has decided that he should bark at everything. He is on guard at night (is never left outside). During the day he barks at sounds or when he sees people walking on the sidewalk. I know as a guard dog some barking is acceptable but he is starting to get more and more. I have been told to set him up and just before he barks get him to sit and give him a treat. This does not seem to work. He will sit, get treat, bark. If I tell h quiet it ses to give him permission to bark more. If I approach him that gives him the attention. Any ideas would be helpful thanks in advance.
Theres a couple things you can try to decrease the barking.
Like the idea of telling him to sit when a situation that will set him off barking comes up, try distracting him. Use toys or just get his attention to play with you when people walk past, and if he ignores them and doesn't bark, reward him thoroughly. If he does bark, give a "no" command and take him to his kennel/backyard/somewhere he cant see the fenceline or what area he is barking at.
Taking out the distraction, my method with my own dog who used to bark at everything at our front fence was to go outside IMMEDIATELY when i heard him bark, say "no" VERY sternly, get him by the collar, and take him to his house in the backyard, where I'd tie him up and leave him alone for at least 10-15 minutes. And when I let him off his chain, if he went back to barking, I'd repeat the process immediately. This requires you to pay close attention when your dog is outside, and you've got to try to do it every time he barks, if you let it slide sometimes he won't get the message and the training will be ineffective.
Does your dog know "speak" as a command? If not, train him to recognize it. Dogs who know "speak" are less likely to bark without the command, because it is something they are trained to do and get treats for doing correctly. I'd suggest this as a first option to see if it helps.
Overall, a guard dog can guard perfectly well without barking. My dog that used to bark at everything still knows to stand watch and stare down strangers loitering at our gate, without barking. And he caught onto not barking at everything with the tying up method I described.
Other users might have more personal suggestions they've used on their own animals, I hope some of this helps and that you can get some quiet time at home!
I think KOPCaroline's guard dog just staring down strangers can be a lot more intimidating than a bark. I had a GSD who never barked. One time, when I accidentally tripped the "Panic" on our security system without knowing it, 3 policemen showed up at the storm door. They didn't come in. One told the others "There's this dog. And he's [I]looking[/I] at us!" (I let them in and ID'd myself, but never forgot the slight tremble in that policeman's voice.)
Just remember, a dog that is barking is releasing energy. A dog that is staring is considering his next move!
Don't think a guard dog has to bark to be effective.
Thanks for your replies. I also have a malamute wolf 9years old he never barks. Kalden is a Tibetan mastiff totally different breed. So not used to the barking. Breeders of this breed say it is just a stage he is going through they say to acknowledge his barking and then he will feel he has done his job. When he does bark I patiently remove him after asking him to look at me. This seems to work most of the time. Unless he really feels the need. Neighbours say he is not bad. Being not used to it I don't mind a few barks but when he barks continually that is annoying. He does not bark at door or bell just people or things outside that are not on property. I'm worried je os getting the wrong message. Is people walk past house he barks he did his job since they did not stop. Would be nice for him to learn to ignore them and only bark if they are on property.
I don't know whether this will help or not, but you might try walking the property line with him to try and teach him exactly how far it extends. After all, he doesn't know the sidewalk isn't his property. I think I'd have him between me and the property line, then say "No" and bring him back whenever he steps onto the sidewalk.
Other than that, I'd believe the breeders. If they say it is just a stage, find out how long it is supposed to last. OTOH, they may not find barking annoying.
