New (bad) habit - Barking!!

[Angelina03]

Rocco has discoverd "barking"!! He will bark forever when he wants attention. I've tried saying "no" and walking away; but it only worked the first couple of days. Now, he just barks, barks, barks... and LOUD.
Any suggestions??

[KZoppa]

Ignore. By saying no and walking away, the no is still getting attention. He gets absolutely NOTHING from you, no words or anything, when he starts barking, walk away. He will probably be pretty determined and keeping going and you're likely to experience what is known as an extinction burst where the barking will increase drastically to get a rise out of your and then eventually stop when the dog realizes he isnt getting the desired attention from you for it.

When he stops barking, example long enough to catch his breath, quickly mark the behavior and praise for quiet. This will take some time to do.

Also up the exercise a bit and work on tiring out his mind through training.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

Ignore. By saying no and walking away, the no is still getting attention. He gets absolutely NOTHING from you, no words or anything, when he starts barking, walk away. He will probably be pretty determined and keeping going and you're likely to experience what is known as an extinction burst where the barking will increase drastically to get a rise out of your and then eventually stop when the dog realizes he isnt getting the desired attention from you for it.

When he stops barking, example long enough to catch his breath, quickly mark the behavior and praise for quiet. This will take some time to do.

Also up the exercise a bit and work on tiring out his mind through training.

All the above post is great, but I'd really work on what I highlighted. If you can really mentally and physically wear him out, then he'll just bark a few times and then go lay down for a nap.

If he's bored and bouncing off the walls then this can go on for much longer...

Great time to start up puppy classes, or trick training classes, or clicker classes, or.....

[Angelina03]

Ok. Thanks. I've been super busy this week and haven't spent as much time with him. I guess he's been feeling anxious. He's already started classes; but I usually only practice for about 10-15 minutes at a time because he gets tired and confused.

[doggiedad]

when my dog went on a barking tantrum i used that
time to teach "no barking" or "quiet". while
he was barking i would hold his mouth closed and say
"no barking" or "quiet".

[Angelina03]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

when my dog went on a barking tantrum i used that
time to teach "no barking" or "quiet". while
he was barking i would hold his mouth closed and say
"no barking" or "quiet".

I'm trying this too. It works a little.