I am beginning to think Plum has an issue with barking (too much). When anyone knocks on the front door she goes bonkers but I've always thought that's ok, she's guarding the house, but I'm wondering if I should be thinking that way. I put her behind the baby gate when I open the door to deal with whatever it is and she stops when the door shuts, pretty much. The main issue is when friends come over. With some she is fine straight away, with others she is nervous and barks or steps back or just barks like crazy. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason. For example, my friend came to stay and Plum barked every time she came down the stairs and was nervous around her for a few mins, then fine. Then barking again next time she came downstairs! She stayed for several days and even hung out with Plum while I was at work, but barked every time she came down the stairs. Another friend received bonkers barking when he walked through the door (despite the fact he'd travelled in the car with us in silence) then within two minutes she was snuggled up next to him on the sofa! But then the crazy barking when he came into the garden the next day when Plum and I were out together. She's currently staying with my folks while I'm away and they've had several sets of friends around. She was fine with two sets but went bonkers at my aunt and uncle who she's met before, as a tiny pup and a bit older. My mum said she had to remove Plum twice and she took a long time to calm down in their company. All the friends of mine she's barked at have been very gentle with her, calm, letting her approach them first etc. And it's a mix of male, female, short, tall etc. I don't know if I should be 'dealing' with this and if so, what I should do. She's 11 months. (And delicious, of course!) Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Many dogs love to bark it is afterall a form of communication but one we like them to stop when asked. It isn't possible to 'diagnose' the reason for Plum's barking over the internet particularly as it seems quite random to us. I would suggest a behaviour consult so they can see what is going on with the type and tone of bark together with body language ie eyes hard/soft, ear position, tail position and wagginess, body tense etc etc etc It us possible that there are different reasons for her barking at different people so if I was your behaviourist I would be asking you to capture some on video as well before a consult.
Thanks @Jojo83, you're absolutely right, it is random. I'll have a chat with a dog behaviourist I know.
It I'll be interested to hear how you get on as there could be 2 or 3 causal links that get Plum barking or something quite simple Dogs like to keep us guessing
