Nervous Barking

[NickyVN]

Hi, looking for some advice. Kendall is nearly 3 years old now. He was socialised loads and was alwasy a mad outgoing pup. As he has got older he is aot calmer and will often ignore people on walks prefering to do his own thing. A couple of weeks ago someone tried to grab him by the collar when we were out as they thought he was loose - even though I was only afew yards away. He leapt back and barked at the man. Since then if he see's people who he thinks look like him, or if anyone tries to stroke him he jumps back. He will avoid the people if in big area but if on a narrow track will bark at them. It happens mainly off lead. He can walk around a crowded place fine, its when we are out and about in quiet areas and I think it also takes him by surprise to see people there. In the past he has barked at people in motorbike helmets or if really startled.

Am looking for the best way to handle this. Is it ok to distract him with a squeaky toy - I know if he is working up to a bark as he will freeze for a while first - or is this rewarding it. Its also not helped by so many people coming up out of the blue and just lunging forward to stroke him, it just frightens him. He wil happily sniff most people wagging, and sniff their hand just doesnt like it when they go to stroke as obviouly thinks they are going to grab him, and at the moment am asking people not to stroke him.

Also, he has been hada go at by too many dogs and if off lead will happily go over to nice calm dogs but the ones who run at him he screams in anticipation. We will just be making progress then someone lets their dog jump on him - very frustrating.

Any advice greatly received as dont want him to be nervous of people. Was wondering whether to restart training classes just for the socialisation?

 

[FeeFee]

Training classes for general socialisation with dogs and people sounds like a very good idea, or if he already has his basic training in place he might enjoy something like agility or flyball.

Other than that I'd say distraction is the key, either with a toy if he's toy oriented, or with a high value treat (sausage, chicken etc) or a mixture of the two. Try to anticipate situations and set up the distraction before he barks so he's being rewarded for not barking.

One of mine is an excitable barker, I worked with her by literally holding a handful of treats in front of her nose and shovelling them into her to keep her attention as we walked past any of her 'triggers' (anyone running, noisy children, lively dogs etc) saying 'what this?' I gradually built up the time she would stay focused and cut back the amount of treats, now I only have to say 'what's this?' and put my hand near my pocket and I have her total attention with no barking. I do still reward her a couple of times on each walk to keep her interested, or if she's ignored something really 'exciting' like another dog barking at her

Good luck, I hope you manage to sort things out wth your boy :luck:

 

[NickyVN]

Hi, thanks for that. I think it will work well as he always freezes first so can always see it coming. He is so toy orientated that if I have a squeaky or ball there will be no question on getting his attention. Having said that had a really good day today, no barking and no nerves about anything - in fact decidedly confident today - maybe be panicking too soon!! I have been making a real effort to speak to everyone we meet today to try to combat me worrying about it - think it maybe me tensing up thats half the problem!!