Reactive towards "dogs"

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Noah is developing a bad habit. He loves to watch tv, but lately, when he sees a dog on tv, he starts growling and barking. He has also started doing this in the car. If we pass someone walking a dog, he goes crazy and starts barking and growling. The thing I don't understand is that he really likes other dogs. He loves greeting dogs and while he doesn't play with other dogs, he loves to be around them. He's still submissive around other dogs, but not in a bad way. How do I curb this annoying behavior? It's easy to get him to stop barking when he's barking at the tv, but it's another thing when I'm driving.

[shelly]

Thanks Eva! I will definitely look into this and YES! the bark she has when a 'stranger' comes is very fierce sounding. I teach my son's religion class in my home. There are 9 extra kids in my home. She barks and jumps on them all excited to see them when they come. She is rather bothersome to them at times too (so I'm thinking maybe this will work for this too). But when the parents knock on my door - a couple of the men and one of the brothers especially she gives off that horrible sounding bark. I'm thinking these parents aren't going to want their kids in my home with this monster... but she is so sweet with them. It's like I have 2 different dogs. So to make a long story short.. thanks!

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I would use the collar for one problem at a time, to avoid overwhelming/confusing him with spray corrections. It will be easy to correct the barking at the tv, you won't even have to get up from the couch ;)

If he barks at guests you could send him outside, or put him on a leash, so visitors don't get nervous.

Good luck!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have also heard that saying "it's okay" or reassuring a dog when they are barking or acting defensive, nervous or aggressive reinforces that behavior. Essentially, they hear you praising and calming them, and they associate it with the fact they are barking, so they assume that is what you are rewarding. It's good to constantly remind ourselves that dog's don't understand English. They don't know that when we say "it's okay" we are trying to make them less nervous. They simply think you are rewarding them for "protecting" you.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

the good thing about the spray collar is that you don't have to say a thing and the dog never knows that YOU are correcting him. Dogs quickly figure out that a certain behavior will result in a spray, which they do not like ;) The citronella is harmless, but it is effective (if you use it consistently of course).

[shelly]

I gather the citronella doesn't burn the eyes? I'm guessing it should kill two birds with one stone in the summer stop the barking and keep the mosquitoes away... LOL

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

No it doesn't burn the eyes unless you spray a large amount directly into the eyes of course. But the spray goes straight into the dog's nose from below (if aimed correctly - it's easy to position the collar right). I think the spray does two things: 1. the hiss and the mist startle the dog and 2. they dislike the smell of citronella.