New Jack Russell suddenly barking at EVERYTHING

[barbeluk1]

Hi there,

We have a 5 month old JRT who has been a delight so far. Now that the weather is nicer we're outside in the garden more and she is suddenly barking at everything! Anyone who walks past, any sound, if we are talking to someone etc. She is also barking in the house when she sees someone at the end of the garden.

Is this just puppy behaviour for a terrier or do we need to try and stop it as soon as possible? It's drive us (and the neighbours!) potty.

Over the past 14 years we've have two Flat Coats and neither barked much so we're a bit green when it comes to terriers.

Can anyone advise on how we stop this (assuming we need to) please?

Many thanks,
Andy

 

[JoanneF]

Is this just puppy behaviour for a terrier or do we need to try and stop it as soon as possible?

It is certainly a habit you don't want to become established.

There are several things you could try, see what works best.

You could get an empty yoghurt pot and smear the inside with wet dog food, meat paste, squeezy cheese or even plain yoghurt. If she barks, immediately offer the pot to lick. She can't lick and bark at the same time. While she is licking, repeat the word ”quiet” over and over. Then, after a number of repetitions, use the word, and if she stops barking give the pot as a reward (if she doesn't stop, stay at the previous stage for longer). Gradually increase the lag time between cue word and reward, then when you have at least 5 seconds of quiet you can fade the reward, replacing the yoghurt pot with a piece of a treat that is more convenient. Eventually you can fade it to a piece of normal food, or an ear rub.

You could allow one alert bark, anything more than one results in immediate end of garden time. You need to be 100% consistent, and you would need to be right there with her to usher her straight in.

You might find something helpful in here too -

 

[barbeluk1]

Thank you very much for the reply, that's really helpful. I think we'll try the yoghurt pot first...

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[Amanda Moorhouse]

Hi Andy,

I have a Jackapoo who is 6 months old and also barks non stop in the Garden! People keep telling me it's the Jack Russell in him so I think they are known for barking. Our dog barks so much he almost makes himself sick.

We try and offer him a distraction which does work. He would rather play with us than bark, I sometimes wonder if he does it for attention. It's exhausting but I hope it will calm down. Oddly he doesn't ever do it outside the Garden. It's just limited to the sounds he heard out back. If it gets too much we bring him in.

He is still very young and I am sure like us you haven't taken him to many public places outside the usual, woods, fields and parks. Our dog is still learning new sounds and experiencing public places. I'm hoping once this will change as lockdown eases.

Good luck!

 

[Rinkydinkydo]

Hi Andy,

I have a Jackapoo who is 6 months old and also barks non stop in the Garden! People keep telling me it's the Jack Russell in him so I think they are known for barking. Our dog barks so much he almost makes himself sick.

We try and offer him a distraction which does work. He would rather play with us than bark, I sometimes wonder if he does it for attention. It's exhausting but I hope it will calm down. Oddly he doesn't ever do it outside the Garden. It's just limited to the sounds he heard out back. If it gets too much we bring him in.

He is still very young and I am sure like us you haven't taken him to many public places outside the usual, woods, fields and parks. Our dog is still learning new sounds and experiencing public places. I'm hoping once this will change as lockdown eases.

Good luck!

Is your garden enclosed by solid fences?