Barking to get my Attention

[Sandy]

Toby has started this new thing, which is actually quite annoying. He really isn't a barker, but recently, if he feels you aren't paying attention to him, and he wants you to, he barks. Loudly. For instance, if I'm doing the dishes and he wants me to look at him, he stands behind me and barks. This is probably another part of puppy adolescence, but short of ignoring him, is there anything else I can do?

[Brenda Hetzel]

yes, in dog training we just adressed this because my Lucky is a barker. Its kind of hard to explain though. You have to step into them and tell them "NO" or "Wrong" and keep on stepping into them until they back down and sit down. When they stop the behavior, are sitting down and looking away from, you have demonstrated to them that you are the leader and you will not tolerate this behavior. Im not sure Ive explained it clearly but that is this trainer's method. Im sure other trainers have other methods. I have followed her advice, though and Lucky has ceased his barking quite a bit.

[Amy]

I've been reading "The Other End Of The Leash" by Patricia McConnell. She says that's kind of like the kid that demands your attention while your on the phone! She says to teach the command "enough" to use when the dog is being pushy. 2 pats on the head and ignore. Of course I'm sure there's a lot more to it. We don't have our puppy yet :) (the book is very interesting)

[Linda and Murphy]

When Murphy was about 3 mos old, I taught him to bark on command by "capturing" the behavior using the clicker.
I tied a verbal command (speak) and a hand signal with it. I haven't had an issue with him barking (he is actually very quiet). You may also teach him to use his "inside" voice. LOL.
My theory is that if they know what you want they will do it.
You may give different commands such as "down" and "stay", so that he feels he is getting attention.

[GBK]

I am right there with you Sandy! My little monkey is now staring me down while I try to read or watch TV and growl/barking at me. This is how she "talks" but she has never done this to get my attention before! I tell her "uh uh"
and ignore her, hopefully she will get the hint :) Good Luck

[Terri]

We are going through the same thing except Cooper goes one step further....if he really wants your attention he barks and "mouths" your arm/shirt/waist, etc. Its not a bite, but its like a pull....He literally is pulling you toward him to play. If you say "NO BITE" he goes into full on bark mode. He understands he's not supposed to put his teeth on you, but he is SOOOOO eager to get you to play he can't help himself. We are trying to do a lot of systematic ignoring, but if he gets too mouthy--especially with my son--he is immediately timed out. He's been cooped up a lot lately which makes it worse...thank god the weather is getting better.

[Mommy2Max]

This is Max 100%!

[Ginny Nightingale]

All good suggestions-- I have a barker too--she wants me to play and she is LOUD! I have tried most of these suggestions and the one that works best for me is to "look for rain"--put your eyes on the ceiling and don't make eye contact. It takes a minute, but the dog will settle down pretty quickly. The way it is explained to me is that any type of contact, even a "no" is attention and reinforces the behavior.

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS--She taught my new doodle to bark in ONE DAY! :(

[Crazy Doodle Lady]

Bear barks when he wants my attention too. It's that very loud high pitch bark. His new favorite thing is barking at his sister. He barks whenever she has a toy he wants. It doesn't matter what it is, if she has it he wants it and will bark until he gets it. I've been able to stop the barking for my attention but have no clue how to get him to stop barking at her. It's getting on my last nerve.

[Sandy]

I got a fine mist sprayer, and the first time Toby barked at me tonight I sprayed him right in the face, with water. He hasn't done it since. :) If he starts up I just show him the bottle and he settles down. Hopefully this continues....

[Ginny Nightingale]

Good idea!

[Crazy Doodle Lady]

I tried the water bottle but they both think it's great fun to drink from now. :(

I'm to the point of keeping them in separate areas of the house when I've had enough. I buy a bunch of the same treats so they don't fight but that doesn't help. They always want what the other has.