Barks at everything, even me

• 10-08-2009 2:20 PM

  tilnih Joined on 09-10-2009 NorCal Posts 11 Points 50

  Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact  I have a 9mo puppy, Sasha, who we think is possibly a whippet mix, with possibly some terrier in there somewhere. We've had her and a Chihuahua mix (same age) since they were about 16wks old. The problem we've started having with Sasha is that she barks and growls at everything. She doesn't bark incessantly, since we discouraged barking from day one. She'll let out one bark and then a few seconds later another one followed by some growling, but about every 5-10 minutes she does this. She'll just be in her crate with no access to any outside views and nothing going on around her and she'll just start. Our other dog is very quiet and only actually barks at cats, which is a reasonable thing to bark at. She is generally a well behaved dog and I am definitely the pack leader in the situation. The other thing to note, is when we are in the same room and she does it, I correct her and she immediately runs over to me and gets really close. She is not an affectionate (wants to be close to you) dog so I'm thinking fear might play a part in this. A lot of times she'll bark at me or my husband when we enter the room, especially when we first wake up to take them outside. Even after we tell her to be quiet she doesn't stop. I'm so frustrated with this because she knows we don't like it, we verbally reprimand her and sometimes use the squirt bottle. I don't know a lot about dog behavior, since these are the first dogs I've owned. So I'm wondering if this is just a puppy thing that she'll grow out of as she gains more confidence, or if some dogs just bark?

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• 10-08-2009 2:54 PM

  In reply to tilnih

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Posts 10,629 Points 655

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact My young dog went through a stage where he was very reactive and quite vocal at every little thing, for him it was mostly just a stage. Has her hearing and sight been checked? *Kenya* UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop OB1 FO RA CL1-R CL1-F HIT TT TDI CGC *Coke* VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC *Nikon* SG UCH ptd Alta-Tollhaus Bono HIT CGC *Ana* Alta-Tollhaus Havanna

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• 10-08-2009 3:23 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 11,977 Points 3,770

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact Lies, that was my first thot as well -- that either some sense is either extraordinarily astute (like this dog is hearing, smelling, or sensing a machine noise, or *some* thing that isn't generally perceptible, particularly since it seems to be somewhat at intervals) OR This dog's hearing or sight is NOT good.  don't dismiss that easily -- a dog can be completely deaf and it can be darned hard to tell **because** their sight, and particularly their sense of smell can SO compensate that they will do things like "turn towards" you or go in the right direction of a squeaky toy squeaked behind them (they smell the rubber-scented air as the toy is squeezed!!).  It can be downright freaky. If the hearing is either unbalanced (more on one side than another) or something that could cause just enough confusion to necessitate a bark (like "Don't try to fool ME -- I saw that!!") "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller

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• 10-08-2009 6:13 PM

  In reply to tilnih

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,656 Points 300	Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact Maybe she is bored and is either asking you to take her out to walk or is trying to release the pent up energy that way and is a sign of frustration. How much and how long do you walk her every day? "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"
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• 10-08-2009 7:55 PM

  In reply to espencer

  tiffy Joined on 09-10-2007 Tacoma, Wa. Posts 2,864 Points 260	Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact  Tootsie, barks at me in the am because she wants outside. When she barks I understand and say nothing.
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• 10-08-2009 8:29 PM

  In reply to tilnih

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 7,190 Points 705

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact I would have blood work done too and tell the Vet about her new behavior.  Some medical conditions cause behavior changes and you say this has recently started  Giving advice on behavior we can't see is hard because there are so many possible factors we can't see or don't know about that the advice given might be completely wrong.  Enrolling in a training class with a positive approach trainer might be very helpful. I would recommend getting a few dog behavior books to help you gain some insight.  Patricia McConnell and Jean Donaldson have several good books.  Another is "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor.

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• 10-09-2009 10:50 AM

  In reply to JackieG

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 12,433 Points 1,045

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact  Soem reasons dogs bark: boredom, get attention, fear/anxiety, demand behavior, frustration, sensory problems. Punishment is counterproductive - it isn't working, so stop doing it.  You may have greater success (after you have your vet rule out any sensory problems) by simply ignoring her barking, or by putting barking on cue, so that you can then "turn it off".  Learn about clicker training.  Once you get good at it, you can try it on the barking problem.  Also, add "The Culture Clash" to your reading list;-))) http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1125 Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-09-2009 4:39 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,656 Points 300

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact spiritdogs: by simply ignoring her barking, or by putting barking on cue   Which would not solve the problem whatsoever. That would "solve" the immediate issue but not it's root. -If the dog is bored and the bark is ignored or put in cue that wont stop the dog from being bored -If the dog has pent up energy and the bark is ignored or put in cue the dog is still not being walked -If the dog wants attention and the bark is ignored or put in cue that wont stop the dog from being frustrated Is like having a fire in your house and just ignore it by closing the door "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"

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• 10-09-2009 7:55 PM

  In reply to espencer

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 12,433 Points 1,045

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact -If the dog is bored and the bark is ignored or put in cue that wont stop the dog from being bored  Au contraire, if a dog is barking for attention, and you acknowledge him, he will bark more.  If you put the bark on cue, you CAN ignore the dog when he barks off cue, and thereby help extinguish the unwanted barking (because he isn't getting any reinforcement for it).  No one is saying that you shouldn't address the reasons the dog is bored, if that's what he is.  You can do that with exercise, training, an activity, puzzle toys, etc. -If the dog has pent up energy and the bark is ignored or put in cue the dog is still not being walked See the response above.  No one ever said not to exercise the dog - however, there are dogs that are heavily exercised and still bark - what's your answer to someone who is doing what you suggest (in other words, your answer to every problem, the CM walk), and the dog still barks??? Be sure to quantify how many dogs you have experience with training them from doing unwanted barking.  I'm interested in your stats.   -If the dog wants attention and the bark is ignored or put in cue that wont stop the dog from being frustrate You are wrong - look up the term "extinction".   Is like having a fire in your house and just ignore it by closing the door Dumb analogy - you are NOT ignoring the problem just because you choose to ignore barking that you didn't ask for, and have a cue that says when the dog is allowed to bark.   Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-10-2009 11:40 AM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,656 Points 300

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact spiritdogs: however, there are dogs that are heavily exercised and still bark   You assumed that the dog is already exercised, i didnt, thats why i asked. If she says yes then we can move to the next possible issue. What if she says "i dont walk my dog whatsoever" What would you think the problem is? In other words, your answer to every problem, clicker training? Resource guarding, jumping on people, territorial behavior, etc. dont get fixed by walking so you are wrong (as always) about that would be my answer to every problem spiritdogs: you are NOT ignoring the problem just because you choose to ignore barking that you didn't ask for Um yes you are, you are contradicting yourself. Every dog savvy person knows that barking does not only means "pay attention to me". What if the dog is barking because wants to go out and pee and you ignore it? Guess what would happen. What if the dogs barks because is always inside the house 24/7 and needs fresh air and you just ignore his barking? You better start saving for new furniture I wonder if you actually read her first post or just the thread's topic "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"

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• 10-10-2009 12:35 PM

  In reply to espencer

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 12,433 Points 1,045

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact *EDIT - Name calling* You want me to be wrong so badly, don't you?   Why don't you use your time study some more about dogs, rather than just trying to make everyone who comes here think that I'm crazy.  I have no problem letting my posts stand on their own, and I get tired of the tit for tat.  Au revoir.  Left in your own dust again.... Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-10-2009 12:48 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Posts 10,629 Points 655

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact IMO barking is barking, it's its own behavior.  I doesn't always HAVE to be BECAUSE of something like lack of exercise, need to potty, want out, etc.  Some dogs just BARK.  I have one dog that never barked once for nearly a year, and another dog that simply must enjoy the sound of his own voice he loves to bark.  Like Anne said, I put the bark on cue, even put a "whisper" on cue, give him plenty of outlets where he is allowed and encouraged to bark, but if he barks when I don't care to here it, it gets ignored.  He used to throw mega-fits while he was being crate trained, and also anytime someone came home.  Now, I walk in the door, take my time removing my shoes and putting my things away, wander over to his crate and he is lying down, silent.  That is simply because I ignored all the barking and fits I didn't want and rewarded the quiet.  *Kenya* UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop OB1 FO RA CL1-R CL1-F HIT TT TDI CGC *Coke* VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC *Nikon* SG UCH ptd Alta-Tollhaus Bono HIT CGC *Ana* Alta-Tollhaus Havanna

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• 10-10-2009 6:25 PM

  In reply to tilnih

  Sera_J Joined on 09-10-2007 Western Washington (State) Posts 3,589 Points 930

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact  Moderator speaking, This thread is being monitored.  For those of you unfamiliar with or needing a reminder of, here's a link to our forum RULES. I cannot say enough, post with respect towards the person even if you do not agree with what they are saying.  To get this thread back on topic OP asks: I have a 9mo puppy, Sasha, who we think is possibly a whippet mix, with possibly some terrier in there somewhere. We've had her and a Chihuahua mix (same age) since they were about 16wks old. The problem we've started having with Sasha is that she barks and growls at everything. She doesn't bark incessantly, since we discouraged barking from day one. She'll let out one bark and then a few seconds later another one followed by some growling, but about every 5-10 minutes she does this. She'll just be in her crate with no access to any outside views and nothing going on around her and she'll just start. Our other dog is very quiet and only actually barks at cats, which is a reasonable thing to bark at. She is generally a well behaved dog and I am definitely the pack leader in the situation. The other thing to note, is when we are in the same room and she does it, I correct her and she immediately runs over to me and gets really close. She is not an affectionate (wants to be close to you) dog so I'm thinking fear might play a part in this. A lot of times she'll bark at me or my husband when we enter the room, especially when we first wake up to take them outside. Even after we tell her to be quiet she doesn't stop. I'm so frustrated with this because she knows we don't like it, we verbally reprimand her and sometimes use the squirt bottle. I don't know a lot about dog behavior, since these are the first dogs I've owned. So I'm wondering if this is just a puppy thing that she'll grow out of as she gains more confidence, or if some dogs just bark?   Lani- Dog.community Moderator Proud Idogger since April 2005

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• 10-10-2009 8:20 PM

  In reply to Sera_J

  Bruister Joined on 09-19-2009 British Columbia, Canada Posts 178 Points 35

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact tilnih, this is a group with a lot of expertise and they don't give up.  I am a relatively new member here  but I do think that all of the info you have received has merit.  So....just a couple of things to get the team going again:  (1) how do you exercise your dogs  (2) what does your dog do after you use a squirt bottle?  (3) Do you have any idea what kind of Terrier you think your dog may be mixed with? (4) How do you verbally correct your dog...ie tone of voice, language etc.   I think it is interesting that when you "verbally correct" your dog she comes to you; it doesn't sound like it is about fear.   So, I am wondering if she is/or is not craving your attention and wondering why a verbal correction would cause her to go to you.  (this is where the others have way more experience than me) It is also my understanding that a Whippet is normally very calm when indoors.  So are some Terriers, but not others thus it would be helpful to know what kind of Terrier you think your Whippet is mixed with.     Say No To Breed Specific Legislation...

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• 10-11-2009 8:01 AM

  In reply to Bruister

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 12,433 Points 1,045

  Re: Barks at everything, even me Reply Contact wondering why a verbal correction would cause her to go to you Because, to some dogs, any attention is reinforcing.   Which is why corrections sometimes make the dog keep barking.  If the dog wanted attention, and got some, the barking was reinforced.  This is why it can be useful to ignore barking (giving it no reinforcement), and waiting until the dog is quiet on its own before dispensing any attention or praise. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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