Barking.... to control or not?? So while reading another thread about how to control barking, I started talking about my Australian Shepherd outside and how to control her barking at night. The story is that once it gets dark outside, she will stand on the porch and bark - not a crazy bark, just a nagging one. If you stick your head out the door and tell her to hush (not yelling, just commanding), she will hang her head (like "sorry mom") and stop for a few minutes. We live out in the country so I know that she's barking at the critters out in the woods and because of the coyotes in the distance but it really starts to get on your nerves after a little while. Luckily Tatum, inside the house, does not follow suit and bark along with her because THAT would put me over the edge. We do have another Aussie now though - a boy (about 3 months old) we kept from her litter - and I hate to think of her teaching him this habit and then we have two fools out there alerting us to every single critter whose eyes shine in the dark. Ya know?? But here's where my hubby and I disagree. I can see his point but don't know what to do. He says if you get some kind of bark repeller to teach her/them not to bark, then she/he won't bark when there's a necessary reason. I guess like if a cow gets in the fenced yard (it happens!) or if a stray dog or coyote or some other unwanted animal wanders into the yard or even if a human stranger comes around. What do ya'll think? Would I be teaching her something that I will regret in the future? |
I'm going to agree with hubby. The anti bark products are just a quick fix. Just to get your dog to shut it, and in turn you will not know or understand why he is barking. Those products I feel don't train them to stop barking, they scare them to stop barking, which IMO is never good. Don't bark b/c I'm gonna get a face full of spray, or a shock on the neck. :thumbdown Dogs bark b/c they are trying to tell you something, mom there's a squirrel over there, mom why is a man climbing our fence? mom I'm bored why aren't you playing with me? You need to train your dog to bark to alert you when something is odd, etc. and to not bark for any old darn reason. The training is hard, I'm not gonna lie. We have successfully trained Uni to "not bark" when she just wants attention or something. She will stop barking and growl instead. But in certain situations, such as someone comes to the door late at night, she will bark like crazy, letting us know why in the heck is someone ringing our bell at this hour? I guess what I am trying to say is, when your sheperd is barking at something, instead of just shushing her, go out and take a look (even if you are just pretending to look) at what is going on outside, and tell her, oh thank you I see that, ok let's go in now, or something like that. Then distract her with something to do or a toy or something. This is what we did with Uni and it worked great. :) |
Great Post Capt!! You said it well!! I agree with Capt_noonie It is extremly hard to train them not to bark, but it can be done. Peanut is the same way as Uni, he will bark when he feels something is not right, someone knocks, hears someone outside that he doesnt know... etc The only other time is when he is playing and he wants me to throw his bone, but I will tell him "Shh" and he will growl. I love that Peanut listen to what is going on outside and will inform me when something is not right, I am by myself at night due to DH working a lot and it keeps me some what safe!! |
Ceasing the barking all together is a bad idea. It takes their instincts away and let's face it they are way more intuitive then us. We just have to be able to control the barking. Best wishes with your shepherd. |
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-Lauren & Nikko |
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