THE DOODLE WHISPERERS

Comment

Comment by Kay Bolin on July 29, 2010 at 12:03pm

Well, I'm no expert, as Misty is only 4.5 months old and it was a long time ago when I had a dog before. But --- we've been doing clicker training, and they have ways after you have been doing it for a while to teach the dog to "speak" and then to "quiet". Also they have ways to address door charging and all that with positive methods. But you need to do clicker training or some other puppy training class so you can build up to training them around these "self reinforcing" habits and around self control.

I just vacuumed for the second time since I've had Misty (no comment!) - and she started barking at the vacuum. I turned it off and put some tiny treats on the vacuum for her to take off. The first time I vacuumed, which was a couple of weeks ago I had to get her to come closer and closer with the treats. Then I fed her one while I was saying OK I'm going to turn it on. She needed to know that the loud sound was going to happen again. When she wasn't barking I gave her little treats, sometimes putting them on the vacuum for her to take off while it was running. I spaced out when she was getting treats so she was quiet longer and longerr. She got lots of treats, I got the vacuuming done, we were both happy. I need to vacuum again before 2 weeks from now so she remembers that it's no big deal, in fact that she may get some treats. Then I can faze the treats out over time.

Of course, then I got out the broom and dust pan and had to do it again! But it wasn't such a big deal this time.

Good luck!

Comment by Carla, Lucca and Izzy on July 29, 2010 at 12:01pm

Thanks, that works better:) I thought I was just going crazy when I saw the comment doubled!!

Comment by Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles on July 29, 2010 at 11:58am

Carla, I put your's in the separate discussion, too EXCESSIVE BARKING

Comment by Carla, Lucca and Izzy on July 29, 2010 at 11:53am

It could very well be teenage anxiety but you are right to correct it now before it gets worse. These Doods seem to have a tendency to bark (sometimes at air:) ) I would try the squirt bottle. My neighbor has been using this method on his 10 month old Rott and it is working really well. A couple other suggestions : Put her in a sit/stay command and don't open the door until she is quiet. IF she cooperates, then praise with a treat. A citronella collar seemed to work with Lucca's brother. My friend was at her wits end after trying everything. It is safe and really seemed to help. I think she put a video on her page showing how Toby reacted!! Good luck. We've all been there!!

Comment by Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles on July 29, 2010 at 11:53am

Paula and Lori, I started a discussion on barking, I will move your comments there. Let's see if we can find some solutions for you.

Comment by Lori on July 29, 2010 at 11:31am

I think the more attention you are giving her - petting her & trying to calm her down - is at this point reinforcing the barking. You are giving her love and attention, who wouldn't want that, right?! Why not try ignoring it for a week or 2 and see how it goes...don't pay ANY attention to her when she barks. Or maybe a squirt bottle, I used it with Casper when he was a very nippy puppy & it worked really well. Good luck - I am sure everything will work out fine! These doodles are awesome!!!

Comment by Paula & Greg on July 29, 2010 at 11:16am

Our seven month old, female doodle, Amber, has developed a habit over the last month that seems to be getting progressively worse: Barking. Overall she is developing really well and responds well to training. Her anxiety levels have gone up a notch, however, for anything that she cannot identify or does not understand. I'm thinking this is probably her teenage angst period, but I want to start working on the issue before it gets out of hand. If she hears a strange noise, either in the home or outside, she barks. Candy wrappers being rustled in another room, walking down stairs, a car being parked outside, doors slamming etc. cause her to jump up and begin barking. The worst is the doorbell. When the doorbell rings, she begins barking furiously and runs straight to the front door in an agitated state. This sets up a pretty negative reception for guests, contractors, etc. Then in trying to calm her down, I can't pay attention to the visitor. My approach now is based on the assumption that this is an anxiety based response, so I try to talm her down, tell her everything is ok, hold and pet her. But a friend suggested that this may be interpreted as a positive response to barking. So now am not quite sure what technique to use. She is still very young, and I know I can train this out of her, but am unsure how. Any successful experience with this issue out there???

Comment by Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles on July 3, 2010 at 7:25pm

Terry, I agree with Nancy, shutting her in with you might be the only answer. I close all my dogs in with us at night and I will wake up if they clickety-clack their toenails on the floor. Having the bells on the inside of your door might be the best solution.

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on July 3, 2010 at 6:50pm

Does she need to go out when your are sleeping? Can you take her out before you sleep and as soon as you wake up?
Can you shut her in with you and put bells on that door?

Comment by fergie11 on September 18, 2009 at 11:21am

Thanks Lynn for the invite - I'll go through these and see what problems I've had and what worked for me.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• Next ›
• Page