Barking in House @ something Outside

[Kiwii]

Happy Valentine's Day Chazhound members!

It's really upsetting that Tiger had been STILL constantly barking at things that are happening outside of the house (ex: noises that are coming through the window). It's really frustrating, and I'm asking what are some ways to make Tiger stop barking at things.

Even when a family member or something comes home, he'll bark! He barks at skateboard noises that comes through the window. But when he's outside, he'll get really scared and tries to run home. Tiger is a BEAST at home, but a scared brat outside. He gets all aggressive and tough inside the apartment, but all scared outside.

I understand that Shelties have a unique behavior to bark at anything suspicious, but this is beyond the limit. Why the heck does he bark at a family member aggressively when they knock or try to open the door?

I'm just really fed up. I've had him for a bit over a year. I really don't understand why he doesn't behave. I thought time would allow him to learn. Unfortunately this wasn't the case.

What could I do to stop Tiger from acting like this? If he still doesn't learn, I think I might have to give him up.

Please help

 

[Herschel]

It isn't aggression.

Shelties bark. A lot. Especially at sounds outside. You can clicker train him to stay quiet, but if you are already considering giving him up then I'm not sure that would work for you.

Why did you get a Sheltie if you want a quiet dog?

 

[Dekka]

Shelties bark, its what they do. They look cute, herd things and bark. They bark when they are happy, they bark when they are frustrated, they bark when they are excited, the bark when they are fearful..you get the picture.

How old is he and what have you done so far to help him feel more confident. (BTW if he is a puppy its not likely in anyway aggressive)

 

[DanL]

Try a Great Dane that barks at her own shadow, with a bark that literally shakes the floor. It's frustrating at times, but I don't want to supress her desire to bark because I like people to know there is a giant dog in my house. If she keeps going off, I'll thank her and tell her that's enough and she'll quiet down, but sometimes I have to be pretty firm with her or remove her from the window or door.

 

[Kiwii]

It isn't aggression.

Shelties bark. A lot. Especially at sounds outside. You can clicker train him to stay quiet, but if you are already considering giving him up then I'm not sure that would work for you.

Why did you get a Sheltie if you want a quiet dog?

I knew that Shelties bark a lot. And I understand when he's scared or etc he would bark, but there's a difference between celebrating for a moment or barking at something fearful versus continuing to bark for 10 minutes even when I tell him firmly "No, Tiger".

I understand that he will bark a lot. But why doesn't he listen to me when I tell him to stop?

 

[Dekka]

How have you trained him to stop? Saying no means nothing, unless you have trained him it does. My guys know the cue "enought" that means be quiet.

 

[Kiwii]

I've never trained him when I don't want him to bark. I only say "No" that's why I'm here to seek your advice.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Even when a family member or something comes home, he'll bark! He barks at skateboard noises that comes through the window.

Every dog I've ever met barks when someone is at the door. The owners who work on it a LOT can get their dogs to stop before they open the door, but this is very hard, and takes a lot of time and effort educating yourself on how to do it. It will probably take at least weeks, if not months or years before you can train your dog to stop barking at people at the door, so you'll have to prepare yourself for this when you start.

Why the heck does he bark at a family member aggressively when they knock or try to open the door?

Very little of dog aggression includes barking. If a dog REALLY wanted to be aggressive, he wouldn't tell the entire neighborhood first. What he's probably doing is alerting you to someone at the door, and trying to tell that person to go away. Or, possibly, he's excited to see someone coming in.

I really don't understand why he doesn't behave. I thought time would allow him to learn. Unfortunately this wasn't the case.

He thinks he IS behaving. He's just doing what's natural for dogs to do, and for one reason or another, he thinks you don't mind it. That's why you have to teach him.

 

[*Amy*]

I've never trained him when I don't want him to bark. I only say "No" that's why I'm here to seek your advice.

Saying "no" gets a little monotonous to dogs. I'd try saying "quiet" and when he stops barking, give him a reward and praise him. You could try to get him to stop barking by distracting him or going up and petting him while saying "quiet." When he stops, immediately say "good boy!" and give kisses. Don't give up on him just because he barks. He's a dog. Dogs bark.

 

[Kiwii]

I thought dogs have a strong sense of smell, wouldn't he be able to determine that someone he knows is at the door?
And whenever he barks at someone at the door, he sounds off with a vicious growl, then jump-bangs on the apartment door and then barks his head off.

How would I train him?

 

[lizzybeth727]

Here are some good training articles about teaching dogs to be quiet:

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1125

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/237

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/185

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1369

 

[Dekka]

Dogs don't come hardwired to know human words and english at that.

I suggest you find a good trainer to help you with it. But in the mean time I would put him in his crate for 30 seconds if he barks more than a yip or two. Don't yell, your pup will think you are barking with him.. And if you catch him not parking when you think he could.. feed him treats praise play etc. If he is barking and stops, even for a moment reward..

 

[Kiwii]

Oh. Okay, I'll try that out and see how it goes.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Keep us posted!

 

[darkchild16]

As to the nose thing. No they cant tell whos at the other side of the door. I have a scenthound mix (extremely sensitive nose) and he STILL barks at the door until someone from the family tells him the word to hush it. Only we know the word so he knows it is us.