Murphy has always barked at the front door/window if there is someone out the front of our house or next doors house. He even barks if it is us and he can see us through the window. I have never been that bothered as I think of it as good security and it means I will never not hear the postman! Lol. But recently he has got a lot more reactive to nothing in particular! There will be nothing and no-one out the front and he has started barking and looking out of the window! He used to be better in the evening when the curtains were closed because obviously he couldn't see anything, but the last few nights he's been randomly barking at the door even when I can't hear anything. I know he has better heating than me but I look out of the window as there is nothing there! I just don't understand why he has become much more reactive for no apparent reason and also what I could do about it? Thanks everyone
Re: Barking at front door - got worse!! You will be surprised at what a dog can hear that you can't. Hattie & Charlie bark at the front door too, I have been sending them to their beds, treating and releasing for quiet. They sometimes have a bark but Charlie goes straight to his bed and Hattie waits for a treat so we are getting there slowly, but have to admit to not trying this with the hall door open yet, this is training for the New Year : x
Re: Barking at front door - got worse!! Before people come to the door there are precursors that we don't necessarily always notice, but that dogs do notice - like a car door, or footsteps, or tyre sounds and who knows what else.... When those things happen they don't always predict a knock at the door, but sometimes they do. So dogs notice and bark at them - because sometimes they herald the jackpot of a visitor. It's a perfect intermittent reinforcement schedule - sometimes the barking is rewarded, therefore strengthening the barking. For that reason it's really hard to train a dog to stop doing it. The are reacting to things that we can't control, and that sometimes are very meaningful. Probably the best thing is to train a 'quiet' cue, so you can get him to stop barking. Or else practise a lot with friends who are willing to help - they only come in the house when he's quiet and sitting, so you change the behaviour that he uses to respond to visitors. Anyway, I feel your pain, as Obi is just the same.... We've gone with the 'quiet' cue, which doesn't stop the barking from starting, but at least we can stop it.
Re: Barking at front door - got worse!! No, no, not at all!!!! You've done it exactly right, Helen - trained for a different, acceptable behaviour Basically a version of this: [quote author=Oberon link=topic=9174.msg131510#msg131510 date=1419026131] Or else practise a lot with friends who are willing to help - they only come in the house when he's quiet and sitting, so you change the behaviour that he uses to respond to visitors.[/quote]
Re: Barking at front door - got worse!! Thanks. Its difficult though because when i get home from work he will jump up at the front window and bark at me. I started stopping and standing still and only moving when he wasnt barking but he wouldnt get it and just bark as soon as i moved, and then id put the key in the door and wait for him to stop and as soon as i move the handle he barks, etc. its such a pain. Its just wierd how hes become more reactive recently. X
