Stopping excessive barking?

Question

I have a huge picture window in the front of my home and my dogs go absolutely crazy when someone walks their dog in front of our house.
We've tried leaving the room and ignoring them, clapping loudly and saying "enough" or "quiet", but they don't care & carry on like a pair of lunatics.  I've tried squeaky toys to distract them, they pay no attention.  I HAVE found that going into the cookie jar (dog cookies, of course) gets them quiet, gets their attention, and they follow me into the kitchen.
My concern is that I am training my dogs to bark like crazy-nuts in order to get a cookie.  So far, I haven't seen them make this connection, but I'm worried it could happen.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can ensure that they don't start barking like crazy because they want a cookie?  
I don't mind giving them a cookie if that is what gets them to stop going crazy at passersby, I just want to be sure I'm handling them properly.

Robert · Accepted Answer

if they respond to treats then use the treats. instead of walking them away from the window take the treats to them. they start barking wave a treat in their face.. tell them "quiet...quiet...quiet" if they remain quiet give them treat. keep their attention with another treat and repeat. you dont want them to bark then give the treats like that... you want them to be in the situation thats causing the problem and reward them when they are reacting the way you want them to act in that situation.

it doesnt matter if they sit or whatever its important they have theyre attention on you and if theyre quiet. dont trying dominating the dog. why would want your dog to be afraid of you? to train a dog you dont need to punish it. if youre molding clay and itn not coming out to what you want you dont throw the clay do you? you work with it.

CT · Answer

dont give them treats, they see that they are being rewarded rather than punished.

put them on leashes and when someone walks by and they start barking, force them to sit and raise your voice and use the command you want (quiet, stop, enough... whatever) and make them stay sitting and quiet for a good 10 seconds before you say good girl/boy. treats will make them want to repeat the bad behavior, instead you should only reward them with petting or verbal reaction after they do what you say.

dont be afraid to stand over them and become dominant, with my dogs i grab them firm on the collar and raise my voice and they do what i say.. if they dont stop barking position yourself in front of the window to demand their attention. hold their snout and say "no barking" or "quiet", something along those lines.

Wolfadile Hunter · Answer

Contact the dog whisperer

Stopping excessive barking?

Related Questions

Trending Questions