Barking...how to stop

kelly-lou · 02-02-2012, 05:14 AM

Hi all,
Wonder if anyone can help Storm is 4months old and in the last week has started to bark, as soon as we get outside to go for a walk he starts....its not at anything in particular just barking as he walks along. Sometimes its just a few little yaps but other times he can carry on for a few mins.
I take treats (chicken) and have been teaching him, to look at me when I say "Storm Look" and when he does this and is quiet he is given the chicken.
Do you think this is just excitement about being outside? And would it probably be best to just step outside the front door and wait untill he is quiet before he is allowed to go on with his walk, am I encouraging the behaviour by letting him continue to walk while he is still barking?
Also he is starting to be aware of noises outside the house such as people walking by or kids playing and now barks at this too. I look to see what it is and tell him good boy thank-you and tell him to go and lay back down,but as soon as I come away from the window he is up and barking again.

Grrrr what am I doing wrong please

I think he just loves the sound of his own voice ha ha
Thank-you in advance for any help and suggestions x

Anthony8858 · 02-02-2012, 06:43 AM

From what you describe, he sounds excited to be out.

Does he get a chance to get some exercise?

A tired dog, is usually a quiet one.

llombardo · 02-02-2012, 07:14 AM

I think they are just vocal dogs. Mine barks when she sees someone, hears a noise, is playing with the dogs or when she is "talking to me". Of course they are all different barks so you kinda have to figure out what the bark means....the same for the whining/crying. My pup is almost 5 months.

PaddyD · 02-02-2012, 07:48 AM

Mine doesn't bark outside.
Giving treats when he barks may be teaching him to bark (because he gets a treat). I wish I had some useful advice. Good luck. Look forward to seeing how you cured it.

kelly-lou · 02-02-2012, 08:18 AM

I think PaddyD you are probably right in that I am teaching him that its ok to bark cuz when he does he gets some yummy chicken.....Doh....silly woman lol

He has around a 40min walk in the morning with some off lead time, during this time he plays fetch with his ball (gets very bored of this quickly tbh). when I do let him off lead he seems to cling to my side and not go very far. Then he has around about half hour walk in the evening aswel.

I think I need something to tire him out more,(as you say Anthony8858 a tired dog is a quiet dog) I have looked at "flirt poles" others have mentioned and they look like a fab idea I may have to have a go at making one of those and take that with us to the field...and let him tire himself out with that....

Hopefully that will stop him acting like a barking lunatic hee hee

02-02-2012, 05:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
kelly-lou New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 22	Barking...how to stop Hi all, Wonder if anyone can help Storm is 4months old and in the last week has started to bark, as soon as we get outside to go for a walk he starts....its not at anything in particular just barking as he walks along. Sometimes its just a few little yaps but other times he can carry on for a few mins. I take treats (chicken) and have been teaching him, to look at me when I say "Storm Look" and when he does this and is quiet he is given the chicken. Do you think this is just excitement about being outside? And would it probably be best to just step outside the front door and wait untill he is quiet before he is allowed to go on with his walk, am I encouraging the behaviour by letting him continue to walk while he is still barking? Also he is starting to be aware of noises outside the house such as people walking by or kids playing and now barks at this too. I look to see what it is and tell him good boy thank-you and tell him to go and lay back down,but as soon as I come away from the window he is up and barking again. Grrrr what am I doing wrong please I think he just loves the sound of his own voice ha ha Thank-you in advance for any help and suggestions x

02-02-2012, 07:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
llombardo Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,579	I think they are just vocal dogs. Mine barks when she sees someone, hears a noise, is playing with the dogs or when she is "talking to me". Of course they are all different barks so you kinda have to figure out what the bark means....the same for the whining/crying. My pup is almost 5 months. __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

02-02-2012, 06:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,314	From what you describe, he sounds excited to be out. Does he get a chance to get some exercise? A tired dog, is usually a quiet one.

02-02-2012, 07:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	Mine doesn't bark outside. Giving treats when he barks may be teaching him to bark (because he gets a treat). I wish I had some useful advice. Good luck. Look forward to seeing how you cured it.

02-02-2012, 08:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
kelly-lou New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 22	I think PaddyD you are probably right in that I am teaching him that its ok to bark cuz when he does he gets some yummy chicken.....Doh....silly woman lol He has around a 40min walk in the morning with some off lead time, during this time he plays fetch with his ball (gets very bored of this quickly tbh). when I do let him off lead he seems to cling to my side and not go very far. Then he has around about half hour walk in the evening aswel. I think I need something to tire him out more,(as you say Anthony8858 a tired dog is a quiet dog) I have looked at "flirt poles" others have mentioned and they look like a fab idea I may have to have a go at making one of those and take that with us to the field...and let him tire himself out with that.... Hopefully that will stop him acting like a barking lunatic hee hee

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