Barking little buggers

[PuppyLemon]

Hi, I have two twin Border Terriers (Boy and Girl). I've had them since they were 9 weeks old and they have always been together. They are 8 years old and they each have their little problems. They both bark when they are in the house, its not constant but it Is enough to annoy even the most calm person. This problem is easily solved by taking the dogs to where I am as I think it is boredom and lonely barking. However the biggest problem I have encountered is when walking the dogs. The female dog will bark the whole way to the field and them the whole way back, not only is this frustrating and embarrassing but it also has made myself and my parents put the dogs in the car to take them to the field instead of walking them. It also means that I cannot walk my dogs early in the morning or late at night. The male dog hardly barks on a walk he only lets out excited sounds. I need help to stop this bad habit as it has been left long enough! Someone please help, I have tried the dog spray collar but it just put my dog into a totally depressed state where she wouldn't eat or be social. It feels like my dog has some sort of doggy special needs!

Please help,

A Concerned owner

 

[Jasp]

When you say that they stop barking when you take them to where you are, where are they when they start the barking?

The normal cure for unwanted barking is to train a dog to bark on cue, if they bark on cue then they don't bark as much without the cue. This doesn't sound quite as straightforward to me and I think you might need some professional help to identify the cause of the behaviour.

You have to bear in mind that barking is a natural beahviour and so is difficult to treat, there has to be a clear distinction between normal barking and something excessive. That is the reason automatic spray collars often give the results that you have experienced.

 

[PuppyLemon]

Normally when at home they bark whilst looking the living room window. When on dog walks the bitches barking is totally excessive, I realise that dogs barking is natursl but it is getting too much whilst on a walk

 

[banana]

Hello - welcome to Dog Forum!

My two like to bark out of the front window, I stopped them by telling them off, now they only do it if myself or James aren't in the room so when we are out, we have to shut them in the kitchen with their bed, toys and water.

I think they sound like they are excited to be going on their walk, I would try and take them out for lots of little walks maybe?

 

[lurcherman]

its hard for me to comment on this really as ive never owned a barker ever, but does sound like excitement going to the place they know, but better people than me will help more, best of luck.

 

[gypsysmum]

Dogs do what works for them. It probably started by accident and they thought that barking meant that the walk continued and/or that someone talked to them even if it was only to shout "quiet!".

The usual way to cure this behaviour (assuming that is the cause) is to make sure that the barking does not work. As soon as the dog starts to bark turn round and go home. This means even if you have only just opened the door. Only move if the dog is quiet. It will take a long while and timing is crucial (the dog must associate barking with the return to the house). There is no need to say anything as actions speak louder than words and the dog may be enjoying getting the attention.

In order for the dogs to get enough exercise, and I would walk the legs of them, you will then have to put them in the car after a short break of being at home. As time goes on the dog should realise that the barking is causing them to be returned home and it will slowly start to control itself. After a while you may be able to just abruptly stop for the dog to cease barking.

If you need help with this then can I suggest that you contact a trainer who belongs to the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) who will help and support you through, what might be, a long process.