how to handle when pup barks when she thinks something is outside? ?

[coulter]

So let's just say we are in the living room watching tv, Sage will be laying there or playing with her toys and she thinks she hears something at the door or outside and she starts huffing and puffing, barking with her hackles raised, this usually goes on for a few minutes or so. What I usually do is telling her stop, no barking, or try and distract her with something else, sometimes I will open the door and we will go outside and sometimes once we have checked this out she will stop, other times she will still want to bark at nothing. I try not to cuddle her cause I know this is mostly fear. So my question is what is the best way to handle this? I appreciate her being alert and somewhat protective. Even though I know for her its fear that is driving her. But I don't want to totally discourage her from doing it, I just want to be able to control the situation better and be able to reassure her that all is Ok and she can stop barking.
Thanks for your help!

[Sunflowers]

I act as matter-of-factly as possible and say, "OK, thank you," in a calm voice. That is my command for stop barking.
Then I look away and yawn really hugely. The yawning is calming signal for dogs.

It works for Hans --your mileage may vary.

[codmaster]

when our dog is in and hears something at the door or right outside, he will usually bark and race to the front door and sit. then i walk over to him - have him stay and open the door (after checking it) and then show him there is nothing there. he looks, quiets down and then i shut the door and we continue on.

seems to work pretty good!

[dogfaeries]

Originally Posted by codmaster

when our dog is in and hears something at the door or right outside, he will usually bark and race to the front door and sit. then i walk over to him - have him stay and open the door (after checking it) and then show him there is nothing there. he looks, quiets down and then i shut the door and we continue on.

seems to work pretty good!

We do something similar. My front door opens into a small stockade fenced area, so we usually go to the door with the dogs, and say" let's go see what it is" and then we all bail out the front door to see if there is anything there.

It's always nothing, but they seem to take it seriously. We all come back inside with a "good job, girls!".

[llombardo]

I don't necessarily think that they bark at something outside out of fear. Dogs bark when they hear a noise. My GSD doesn't bark often, but my other two do. Once I tell them enough they stop. When the GSD does decide to bark, I physically go look, but she doesn't bark unless she feels its needed. There is always someone out there(if she is barking), usually by my car(I park it right in front of the house) and I have had some damage done to my car. They shouldn't be there and she lets me know when they are...oddly enough I haven't had any further problems with my car She quiets on her own, once I look and check it out..its like she is warning them and telling on them at the same time. She has gone as far as coming to me, nudging me, and leading me to that door. I'm very thankful for her )

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by dogfaeries

It's always nothing, but they seem to take it seriously. We all come back inside with a "good job, girls!".

I wish it was always nothing, but its always something by me I do tell mine good job, if the barking was warranted.

[dogfaeries]

We pretty much only take the barking seriously if Carly is the one doing the barking. Sage isn't too reliable in that area - I mean, the dog barks at animated animals on TV.

If Carly doesn't chime in, then I tell Sage to be quiet. If Carly barks, then there is a real reason to be barking.

[coulter]

Originally Posted by Sunflowers

I act as matter-of-factly as possible and say, "OK, thank you," in a calm voice. That is my command for stop barking.
Then I look away and yawn really hugely. The yawning is calming signal for dogs.

It works for Hans --your mileage may vary.

That's a good idea, I'll have to try the yawning. Thanks!

[dogfaeries]

Originally Posted by llombardo

... but she doesn't bark unless she feels its needed. There is always someone out there(if she is barking), usually by my car(I park it right in front of the house) and I have had some damage done to my car. They shouldn't be there and she lets me know when they are...oddly enough I haven't had any further problems with my car She quiets on her own, once I look and check it out..its like she is warning them and telling on them at the same time. She has gone as far as coming to me, nudging me, and leading me to that door. I'm very thankful for her )

Sounds like my Carly. I trust her judgement.

[coulter]

Ok so it seems like I'm not too far off with letting her go and investigate