My Cavalier, Gavin, had serious passer by syndrome and we used to think it was cute : He would sit on the back of the settee looking out and 'see off' anyone who passed by. Now Tatze is developing the same trait and it's not so cute with her deep, loud WOOFS! Thank you for your useful article, Pippa (http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-avoid-your-labrador-barking-at-passers-by/) I do all those things but our problem is in the garden when she hears the neighbours, she doesn't have to see them to start woofing. At the moment I am distracting her with a short training session when she starts - I hope this is not rewarding the behaviour? She is not a timid or anxious dog in any way, she's confident and feisty.
Re: Passer by syndrome I think that would depend on your timing. I would be tempted to use a marker of some sort to try and reward her for 'quiet'. If it doesn't happen very often, this would work even better if you could rope your neighbours in to help. Get them to talk on one side of the fence for example whilst you wait with her on your side and use the 'click for quiet' technique. Follow the click or a marker word, with some food, retrieves, attention, training, whatever it is that she likes. What is the main trigger? Is it when they come close to your fence, or when they talk to each other for example?
Re: Passer by syndrome The main trigger is any sound they make, talking or walking on their decking. (neighbours either side). If I stay outside with her and keep her busy she forgets about it - but is just the same the next time. She's very alert, ears up, woof woof (no growling or teeth) At the moment it's fine as the door is shut and she's only outside for wees etc, so I can preempt it. But in the summer the patio doors will be open , so I'm keen to nip this in the bud.
Re: Passer by syndrome I have started to call her to me for a couple of 'waits' every time she barks. It seems to be working - she's less alert and does a lot less listening out now.
Re: Passer by syndrome That's great Mags. If you can 'catch her in the act' of being quiet outdoors from time to time, and reward her. That will help too. When you are out there with her, and you hear the neighbours, just feeding her in that situation will build a positive association with their voices, which may also help. Sounds like you are on top of it though.
Re: Passer by syndrome This is good to read Mags as I have this problem with Hattie & Charlie when they are sitting in the yard at the gate, so if they bark at passers by I call them in lots of sits/waits and I say "sssshhhh" and treat. I will also treat for quiet times outside as hadn't thought of that : Thank you also Pippa x
Re: Passer by syndrome I have a similar problem with Murphy, but he only barks at noises outside when he is inside. If anyone makes any noise outside, even if it is just walking past the end of our drive, he will bark and run to the front window. He has recently got worse so that he barks at any noise that sounds like it could come from outside like when i dropped my mobile on the sofa, he suddenly jumped up and barked at the window. At the weekend i was home alone as hubby was away, and i let murphy sleep on the bed with me, just as i was falling asleep our next door shut their back door and murphy jumped up barking and growling and scared the life out of me! Am seeing a behaviourist on sat to ask about it. Hes always wagging when hes barking.
Re: Passer by syndrome Frankie, maybe you could use a clicker for "quiet", have you ever used one before? It might save you a lot of money on a Behaviourist if that's all you are going for x
Re: Passer by syndrome The behaviourist/trainer is doing a free clinic at a pet shop so its not costing anything , its lucky because i did nearly book to have a proper consultation which would have cost money, but then wasnt sure so the fact that it is free means that im not worried if what she says doesnt work or is rubbish lol
Re: Passer by syndrome Lucky you, ask all the questions you need to then as it's free. Behaviourists can charge £80 just for the consultation Do you know the Trainers name?
Re: Passer by syndrome This is her: http://www.roleover.co.uk She is just a local lady. I dont actually agree with a lot of what she says (she was one of the trainers at the puppy class i went to for a bit- she is still very "leader of the pack" like eating before the dog etc but i thought she might have a few ideas for the barking. Worth a try as its free!
Re: Passer by syndrome We have just about got it nailed now. When we are both outside I have been clicking and treating for quiet, and any neighbour noise is now ignored by her. Hurrah! When she is out alone I call her in if she barks, two barking times and I fetch her in and put a barrier across the doorway to keep her in. The barking times are rapidly diminishing. In the front room I click and treat for quiet when folks are passing by, the only woofing we get now is when they come down the drive - which is fine by me Here is the barrier - it's just a bit of garden wire propped there by a stool, works well.
Re: Passer by syndrome Well done Mags and Tatze. I do a similar thing with Charlie barking in the garden, if he barks twice I call him in and shut the gate which has wire across so he can see through. When calm I let him back out again and it works They are not daft that's for sure ;D x
