My lab still wont stop barking at other dogs, it was so bad today one owner asked if he was usually so aggressive! I'm at my wits end with it. Every dog he sees he barks and barks and barks. Im beginning to worry that we have an aggressive dog at first I thought he did it just for attention but now im not so sure.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking It's pretty frustrating when others comment on your dog when you're doing your best... Barking is something dogs do for many reasons. It's like shouting is for us. Think of all the situations that might make a human shout: - see a friend in the distance, shout for them to wait for you - see something scary, shout in fear for it to go away - having fun at a sporting match, shout in excitement - lose sight of your friends, shout so they know where you are - someone makes you angry, shout at them - you desperately want to so something but can't, shout in frustration It's the same with dogs. They 'shout' for many reasons including excitement and frustration ("I want to say hi to that dog but I can't!!!! So frustrating!!!!"). Mostly it's not 'aggression'. Sometimes it's fear. It's a bit hard to say which without knowing more about the situations that your dog does and doesn't bark in, and what his body language is like. Can you tell us more?
Re: ahhh wont stop barking As Rachael says, your puppy barking may be for many reasons. He is still very young and possibly excited to see other dogs and wants to play....It may be worth having a lesson or two with a trainer to identify the problem and have a plan of action to improve his barking. The main thing is not too despair as you are not alone in having a dog which barks at others and there is a lot of advice here on the forum.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Thanks guys, he tends to bark when he is on his lead and doesn't get to play. If he was off his lead he wouldn't bark. I always check to see if his tail is wagging and it always is. I genuinely do think its for attention for the other dogs to play with him. The mans comment just really got to me as this is out first puppy and we really are trying our very best to do everything right. We try and ignore him if he barks in the house for attention and reward him for good quiet behaviour however it doesn't always work as the neighbours have 2 young children who i wouldnt want waking up at night because of Indy. I think he just gets over excited wen he sees other dogs. We have socialised him and he has done a course of puppy classes
Re: ahhh wont stop barking If you look at Pippa's articles on the main site, there is one on training 'bark' and 'no bark' which might be helpful. Mira started some attention-seeking barking in the house it worked well for us when the ignoring method failed after quite a long time of trying.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking It sounds like excitement to me, which turns into a bit of frustration when he can't say hi because of the lead. That is typical of a Labrador.... My dog is just the same People think he is being protective of us - actually he couldn't give a bugger about that and just wants to run over to their dog to say investigate and hello The thing that we have found most successful is to train and very strongly reinforce (I.e with excellent treats) sitting and looking at us (or heeling and looking at us, or coming to us), when other dogs appear. Looking at the other dog is totally fine too, and even desirable, as long as he looks back at you - you mark/click the look back at you and reward that. You have to practise getting his attention when there is no dog around, then when there is a dog in the far distance, then when there is a dog a bit closer. Basically you are training for an alternative behaviour (focusing on you instead) that you make very rewarding to the dog. The other thing I do is never allow greetings on lead, so my dog knows not to expect it.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Thanks everyone will give that bit of a training a go and see if walking past when he is on his lead helps rather than letting him go and say hello. Will let you know how he gets on over the next few weeks. Thank you x
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Sounds good. Distance is your friend - if he can't cope at the distance you're at then increase the distance and make a mental note that he needs more space next time. Cross the road, do a U turn, whatever you need to do to get to a distance at which he can focus on you. And do lots of 'focus on me' practice at home and without other dogs around at first.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking You need to hopefully find a local socialisation group , And other considerate and understanding dog owners our Jake used to be just like your dog . The more oppurtunity you have to socialise off lead the over excitement will just fade away , Jake still at times gets excited when he sees a dog or dogs he knows and will race up to them off when off the lead and most of time run straight past them because he has caught the scent of a rabbit . He can also totally ignore dogs that are maybe 60mtrs away barking at him and just keep on walking . Now this may take 8-12 weeks which really is not that long at all and their will still be the odd moment of over excitement , Labs are very social dogs and love to socialise the more this is done the easier things will be .
Re: ahhh wont stop barking We had a dog at Guide Dog puppy classes who wouldn't stop barking at the other pups (he was called Rascal!) His puppy walker had to take him out of class every time he barked. It worked, but it took a lot of weeks. Now he's just like the other pups. So, for him, removing him from the situation 'till calm worked - but it took a lot of work and perseverance.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Hi everyone thank you for all the advice. Have done a few days and so far so good. We have done a course of puppy classes however the trainer wouldn't let them off the lead. We have had friends round with dogs to try and help. I have noticed that of the dog pays him attention and wants to play he doesn't bark, its when the dog ignore s him however we have been doing a distraction and walking past the last few days. Doesn't always work bur we are slowly getting there : D fingers crossed x
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Really pleased that you're making progress, it's all one step at a time - some of which are backwards but you'll get there.
Re: ahhh wont stop barking At what age did your puppies start barking? Tara is 18 weeks old, and has not barked once. She has a little yip sound, when dreaming, but otherwise nothing. She runs to the door, if someone comes, or the post comes through the door, but never barks. My old Cocker was born barking!
Re: ahhh wont stop barking [quote author=bouncer link=topic=10354.msg153319#msg153319 date=1427840002] At what age did your puppies start barking? Tara is 18 weeks old, and has not barked once. She has a little yip sound, when dreaming, but otherwise nothing. She runs to the door, if someone comes, or the post comes through the door, but never barks. My old Cocker was born barking! [/quote] Many labs just don't bark, Bella used to only a little and when she was anxious when she first came home but this is getting more and more these days ( she's almost 6 months) I've just started training bark and quiet as it's getting too much for my liking!!!!! Usually if I'm on the phone, she wants to play, wants some food or just to hear the sound of her own voice ;D
Re: ahhh wont stop barking Amber is almost 6 months old and is very quiet. I first heard her barking in her sleep. From about 18 weeks she would very occasionally bark ( and she has a deep loud bark ) but it is only ever when she wants me to go any play with her and she thinks i have been on the lap top too long. She doesn't bark at other people or dogs.
