Barking at doorbells

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by Ectydlacka, May 2, 2016.

  1. Ectydlacka

    Ectydlacka Registered Users

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    I have a 2 year old rescue lab that we have had for a little over one week. He is usually good in the house, but seems to be ferocious when somebody rings the doorbell. He will not respond to anything, just barking and jumping at the window. If I give him a rawhide stick, he will settle down eventually, but is that reinforcing the barking? I want him to stop barking when I say it's OK.
     
  2. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Hello @Ectydlacka and welcome to the forum.
    I have moved your post to its own thread where you are more likely to get replies.

    You might want to divert his behaviour by (for instance) asking him to go to his bed or to a mat when the door bell rings and THEN rewarding him with a chew.
    Then you are rewarding WANTED behaviour rather than possibly reinforcing bad behaviour.

    I am sure there are other posts about this issue and will try find some later
    jac
     
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  3. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Hi , and welcome . I also have a rescue dog , an older girl who used to do exactly the same and still does from time to time . I did what Jacqui has suggested you try, it works , but requires lots of repetition, and patience by the bucket load :)
     
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  4. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    A great thread. I think it's about time I started this - thanks Jacqui. Both my dogs drive me demented with their barking at things/nothing at the window.
     
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  5. Ectydlacka

    Ectydlacka Registered Users

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    How do I get him to go somewhere else? He won't do anything I say, but bark and jump at the window. Should I get his leash and forceably remove him to another space. He won't go in his crate if asked to or forced. I was thinking of trying to take him upstairs to our bedroom where he sleeps and closing the door.
     
  6. Newbie Lab Owner

    Newbie Lab Owner Registered Users

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    Hi, have you played the 'in your bed/crate game'?
    Start by clicking and treating for looking at the crate, then after a few goes wait for being closer to the crate then a paw in the crate etc. When you give the treat throw it into the crate. Don't put a cue like 'in your bed' until he has grasped the full end result. Then add the cue once he's got in the crate and click and treat. Keep it fun and gradually build up distractions.
     
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  7. Snowshoe

    Snowshoe Registered Users

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  8. Ectydlacka

    Ectydlacka Registered Users

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    Thanks. I just ordered it on Amazon. Hope it helps and thanks to everyone for the advice. He's such a good, sweet dog in the house except for that and then greeting people by jumping on them. Working on that too. Also no compliance at all when free in the yard. He just runs and wants me to chase him but will not obey any commands he knows in the house. Lots of work to be done here!!
     

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