Barking at neighbor (sweet, loving older lady)

[Zeeva]

My neighbor is so kind hearted, caring and loving. If I'm outside by myself she always chit-chats with me. She a little bit on the older side. She even loves my dogs and always is saying 'that's ok that's ok'. Our backyards are adjacent to each others and she has to exit out the back door to get to the garage so we run into each other quiet often.

How can I train Zeeva to stop barking at her. It's so rude and it breaks my heart to have this 75 pound dog bark so wildly at such a kind lady who, although you can tell from her posture and face is terrified, reacts calmly by saying 'that's ok, she hasn't gotten used to me yet'. I haven't tried anything yet. I don't want to involve my neighbor because I'm afraid Zeeva might bite her. I just want Zeeva to shut the eff up and come to me when I call her. Or at the very least, stop barking at her as if she's going to bite her

Here's what I have been doing without neighbor around. We've been working on 'stay' and 'come'. She's doing well. But, again, any kind of distraction including 'kind neighbor lady' and Zeeva goes nuts again

Suggestions to help my kind, caring, older neighbor out PLEASE!

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

I used distraction,high value treats. With Lucky and his fence running I use fetch .He has to come sit before I throw it and that refocuses him. I also tried to feed high value treats whenever the neighbors would mow the field once a month. How does Smoky react to your neighbor?They are other people on here who can give better detailed plans but I would start with Zeeva getting a treat she loves and using it only when she sees the lady. With Lucky I do sit ,down other commands to keep his focus on me but that is really difficult with people as the condition your normalizing.I'm looking forward to reading the responses.

[Zeeva]

Originally Posted by Daisy&Lucky's Mom

I used distraction,high value treats. With Lucky and his fence running I use fetch .He has to come sit before I throw it and that refocuses him. I also tried to feed high value treats whenever the neighbors would mow the field once a month. How does Smoky react to your neighbor?They are other people on here who can give better detailed plans but I would start with Zeeva getting a treat she loves and using it only when she sees the lady. With Lucky I do sit ,down other commands to keep his focus on me but that is really difficult with people as the condition your normalizing.I'm looking forward to reading the responses.

Smokey LOVES strangers and has never EVER barked at anyone let alone the our nice neighbor. He completely ignores the neighbor and goes to the other side of the garage to watch the squirrels or if he wants to be by her he just simply sniffs at the fence....

I will go to petco today (am out of cat litter and need cat food). I will also find some high value treats to try to start training Zeeva the nice neighbor terrorizer.

And you gave me a good idea but our neighbor waters her flowers every Thursday. I will use this as an opportunity to train

Thanks!

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

I just wondered as Lucky by himself doesnt react and if he does is more easily directed. Daisy and Lucky together were the problem. Daisy reacted to things not scheduled on her calander. Zeeva has a good role model in Smoky then and you dont have the pack mentality to deal which makes it easier.

[llombardo]

Years ago my grandma had a Rott that lived next door to her. This dog barked at everyone that went through her yard..thankfully the walkway was not connected, otherwise someone would have gotten bit. The fence was not tall enough for that dog, he kinda hung over it. Well anyways, we didn't feel it was safe and feared the dog would go over to attack Grandma. After talking to the neighbors, grandma started giving the dog treats herself. It didn't take the dog a long time to like my grandma after that. That dog never barked/growled at my Grandma again. In fact the rest of us got terrorized unless Grandma was with us

[KatsMuse]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Years ago my grandma had a Rott that lived next door to her. This dog barked at everyone that went through her yard..thankfully the walkway was not connected, otherwise someone would have gotten bit. The fence was not tall enough for that dog, he kinda hung over it. Well anyways, we didn't feel it was safe and feared the dog would go over to attack Grandma. After talking to the neighbors, grandma started giving the dog treats herself. It didn't take the dog a long time to like my grandma after that. That dog never barked/growled at my Grandma again. In fact the rest of us got terrorized unless Grandma was with us

I was just going to suggest that .... perhaps they could be introduced and get to know each other. That way when the neighbor sees the dog, it may still bark but, she can talk to him and give him a treat.?
Just a thought...we did that with my former neighbors and all went well.

[cassadee7]

Where is your dog when he starts barking at her? Is he inside barking out a window? In the yard with you? Behind a fence?

Saber had a habit of going nuts with the crazy barking whenever she saw one particular neighbor dog out the window. She would race around hackling up and barking and wouldn't knock it off. So I now give her one warning ("quiet" or "leave it") and if she barks again I crate her and walk away. I let her out in a few minutes when she is calm. She got the picture very quick not to bark at that dog. She still looks, but doesn't usually bark anymore.

I would also try having her TOSS him treats if he is outside, but not have her approach him when he is barking. I would correct his barking if you are outside with him. When he is quiet and relatively calm, lots of praise and treats from you and/or her (tossed from a safe distance).

[paulag1955]

High value treats = freeze dried liver, boiled chicken breasts or something similar. For Shasta, I used to dice up boiled chicken breasts and store them in a bag with a couple of slices of cooked bacon. I never fed her the bacon, but it made the chicken smell even better.

[Zeeva]

Originally Posted by cassadee7

Where is your dog when he starts barking at her? Is he inside barking out a window? In the yard with you? Behind a fence?

Saber had a habit of going nuts with the crazy barking whenever she saw one particular neighbor dog out the window. She would race around hackling up and barking and wouldn't knock it off. So I now give her one warning ("quiet" or "leave it") and if she barks again I crate her and walk away. I let her out in a few minutes when she is calm. She got the picture very quick not to bark at that dog. She still looks, but doesn't usually bark anymore.

I would also try having her TOSS him treats if he is outside, but not have her approach him when he is barking. I would correct his barking if you are outside with him. When he is quiet and relatively calm, lots of praise and treats from you and/or her (tossed from a safe distance).

Zeeva is usually outside doing her business when my neighbor comes home. It happens probably 2-3 times a week. Zeeva will bark at my neighbor from across the fence (we have a single fence that divides the two yards). I just bought some high value treats and will leave them at her doorstop with a note explaining to her to toss the treats to Zeeva...I hope this works

[blackshep]

Is your dog unfriendly toward people if they are properly introduced?

I would invite her over. Your dog should be ok with you meeting friendly strangers. Maybe let them meet and have her reward your dog with a treat if it is behaving properly. I think throwing treats to your dog over the fence while it's barking at her would reward that behaviour?