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Originally Posted by Hamoth Barking is not too hard to train out. Check the training forum on this site, we've had a lot of very info-packed threads on the topic.
Squirt-guns and rattle-cans, whistles and shouting, clapping and carying on, these are things that might interrupt the barking for a few moments, but I have never heard of a dog that's a barker being being cured like that. I certainly wouldn't expect a terrier to change their life-outlook based on such things. When you do these things you might even be driving them to such behavior without knowing it. When a person shouts, yells, and carys on like that, the dog thinks that you are joining in the barking. If their barking is fear oriented, then being scary certainly won't help. If it's just boredom barking, then interacting with them for their barking is a reward. Many people have chronic boredom barkers here, who have trained their dogs to bark longer and longer and longer. First they TRY to ignore it, but eventually they always respond. They wait longer and longer, but usually respond. Eventually the dog knows that if they keep barking long enough, you will come out and entertain them. They are like kids in that they will do things to get your attention even if it's punishment.
To really make your dog no longer a barker, you need to address the reason that they are barking all the time. They might be afraid, insecure, or too secure and be exhibiting dominance, they might be fiercly territorial due to not knowing their own territory.
Here's a few basic tips to let you know what kind of stuff we talked about in the training forum on this site:
To teach your dog to "hush" teach your dog to "speak". Dog's are good at opposites. Teach them to start barking on command, then develop a shut-off word. Start with rewarding three seconds of silence on your command and then build it up. This is great for the boredom barker.
Some dogs bark because they are overly dominant. If they feel the house is THEIR house and you are the pet, they will guard it always. If your dog knows you are in control, they are less likely to throw the alarm all the time. This approach really worked for me and Chewy. To address this, read about dominance and evaluate your dog.
Look into clicker training and read more online about barking behavior. There are treatments for every barking dog that don't involve a cycle of mutual antagonism and grief. |