Barking

Indiana · Guru

Barking

coffindodger · Old Hand

I've just seen this and I have no remedy but the same problem!! Django was fine when we got him but seemed to develope an aversion to the doorbell. We have tried ignoring him, saying "thank you,that's enough" but the best thing seems to be to hold him until the door is opened. Once the people are in he's fine. Apart from jumping up on strangers or sniffing their crotches. (How embarassing is that?) After that he really is fine. I thought they didn't bark!! Mind you, I stood on his ear once and they don't half yowl!!

feldandjack · Guru

My mums a bit mutton jeff and has a big red light that goes on when someone is at her door. One of these would do away with the doorbell wink

I know it's not ideal but it might help. My mums fat Tibetan terrier yaps like hell when the door goes, if she doesn't see the light (that sound profound weirdface

) her wee dog lets her know someone is there. Lucky my mums in sheltered housing and the folk nextdoor are as deaf as her biggrin

I'm with you on the yowling, coffindodger. It could shatter double glazing doh

Valerie · Guru

I've dealt with this much the same as other behaviours - distract, then reward. I now just say "Enough" and hold my hand up to stop Biscuit barking at the door, and tell him he is good. I don't want him to NOT bark, as he is doing his job of telling me to deal with the door. Perhaps you need to keep something high value to hand, so when buzzer goes, they will begin to associate it with a treat?

Indiana · Guru

Valerie, do you mean allow them to bark, then reward when they stop at your command? This makes sense. If they barked but stopped when I answered the buzzer I'd be perfectly happy. It's trying to hear and speak through barking that is annoying. I'll def give it a go. Thanks x

Valerie · Guru

Yes Indiana, I would allow a couple of barks - whilst getting your treat. If the noise level is high, try combining a good recognised hand signal with your treat. e.g. piece of chicken held behind your upraised hand, so they are watching or saying "LOOK" at the same time to get their attention.

You could also practice desensitising them to the the buzzer by getting a friend to keep pressing it whilst your are practising your commands so you can try and get the sequence right.

Just my thoughts, cos my theory is a dog should bark at someone at the door, and they are doing their "job", but obviously it's controlling it from that point then. All of our deep chested dogs have fearsome barks, so even with my one dog, the noise is ear-splitting - good luck - I'm sure it will come right biggrin

Just another thought, and it's well proven and agreed by other lurcher owners, remember when you are really trying to get the upper hand, your tone is very important. Practice a deep "voice of God" tone - it does work. Some dogs, and esp sighthounds hear the high pitched voice more readily, and it gets their attention, so you may know which tone gets their attention better.

-- Edited by Valerie at 15:43, 2007-09-30