Barking without reason

Festus barking is still a problem. I've tried to teach him to bark, then to hush. He seems to know what hush means, so he barks so he can be hushed and get a treat. Then goes off and barks like he was before.

Festus will stand at the fence and bark into the night sometimes when he hears anything, or even if there might be nothing. I'm sure there is probably something for him to think he should bark at. ;Sometimes he barks at the neighbors during the day. You can't say it's because he needs more exercise to tire him out, because he will do it when he is too tired to think and should have crashed and gone to sleep already. I'm not sure where to go from here. We end up locking him in his crate for the rest of the night, or locking him in during the day.

Jim

Comments

Aidan's picture

Barking Dog E-course

Hi Jim, before I go on, did you sign up for the Barking Dog E-Course? I just want to make sure we're using the same procedures before I make any suggestions.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

mearthone's picture

Barking

Hi Jim.
I used Aidan's "Barking" e-course with my 5 yr old Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Lacey. We went "by the book" so to speak, and Lacey loved it. Now, when she starts nuisance barking, or barking for no reason, it's because she isn't getting the attention and exercise she needs. Five minutes of fetch and she's a different dog. I can't recommend Aidan's course enough!

Connie

Connie & the IslandZooCrew

bark bark bark

My little dog is locked in a kennel and run overnight for this exact reason - he wants to stand at the gate and bark. I don't know what he barks at either, but it could be wild rabbits, other dogs, or just noises. In the run he tends to just eat and go to bed.

He was barking occasionally from inside the run, but it was around once a month or less. And standing at the back door and growling at him was enough to stop him.

So maybe locking him in his crate is the answer, if only for the short term until you can figure out what else to do. Most dogs are happy enough in a small space, with food, water, bed and possibly some toys. Especially if they have had enough exercise during the day. Its not a punishment, so don't use it as that - in other words, put him in the crate routinely each night, not as a reaction to the barking.

He may also think he has to guard you, and has become top dog. There are ways to change that, so you become top dog, and he can trust you to guard the place yourself.