Although I've been blessed to not have an obsessive barker. I have found that with a little investment in time I've been able to control their urge to bark unnecessarily. I believe it's simply reminding them of who the pack leader is. It's not up to them to decide what to bark at, that is your job. As soon as the unwanted barking starts I'll touch them firmly on the back of the neck and say "at-at". Or whatever noise or word you want to use that will mean no, stop.
If someone knocks or rings the doorbell Gracie will run to the door and bark. That's ok until I arrive then her job is done, she alerted me - I arrived, now she is to be quiet. The same goes for barking at anything she hears that she thinks is important. I'll follow her to the 'danger' but then she's to be quiet. Barking at Boo is only limited to her barking to ask him to play. If she is barking to annoy him then she's quickly reminded that that is not allowed. A firm touch to the back of the neck or I'll offer her a toy or move her to a different room. So far this has always worked for any of my dogs.
I think that perhaps he doesn't see your child as above him in the pack. So having her say the "no" word or sound with you might help to lift her position in his eyes. |