No Bark

[Dori & Rua]

I believe that I have mentioned this before, but Rua does not understand that people or people & dogs walking by our house should not be barked at.  Nor did she like cars pulling up to the curb and parking (our neighbor's house is for sale, wouldn't you know it).  We FINALLY overcame the barking that occurred when our neighbor: drove into his garage, brought the garbage cans to the curb, or was in his own yard.  But not so much with the other items.

 

I tried a number of things but I was getting frustrated and Rua wasn't paying any attention at all.  Once she started, I basically had to listen to her bark until the offenders walked or drove out of her sight.

 

The training facility that we have been going to, Bonafide Dog Academy, offered a Class Plus option.  You sign up for the class, plus you get 1/2 hour of private training - at their location or your home.  I decided to have the trainer come to my house to work on "no bark" and this past Saturday was the day.

 

She was only here for 1/2 hour and we worked on 3 things:  no bark, go to your "place" (for the few times when somebody actually comes to our door), and 3 minutes of "separation" from Momma.

 

Can you hear the quiet?  I can!  It is AMAZING.  Our front door has side lights and right now I have the front door open (glass storm door).  People are going by, a car pulled up to the curb to get a flyer from the house across the street, and a guy walked by with a boxer.  It is unbelievable...she isn't perfect...she'll start to do a low "woof", but all I have to do is pick up my "shake" can and say "no bark" and she stops.  The problem was I wasn't getting Rua's attention.  Once she started barking she would go on and on and I was yelling or begging.  The trainer told me I first needed to get Rua's attention...but not by calling her name.  Make a noise.  Clapping didn't do it and I can't whistle worth a damn.  So, I brought back the shake can (used it for puppy nipping).  Did I say "AMAZING"!   My DH is going to be SOOO happy!

 

I am working on go to your "place", but need DH to help with that and he is gone till Sunday.  Right now I am just getting her to go to the place and praise and reward her.  When she goes there, she does an automatic "sit", so I am happy about that.

 

Finally, Momma leaving her. That is what the obstacle to CGC will be.  She whined and pulled.  The trainer gave me some suggestions, so once DH is home, we are going to work on them.  I'll let you know how that goes.

 

Anyway, I am truly AMAZED at the difference already with the "No Bark".  It was well worth the having me trained!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wonderful news! Congratulations to both of you.

[Dori & Rua]

Thank you Bonnie!  A guy just walked by...not a peep!  DId I say AMAZING!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This sounds absolutely wonderful!  I found that having the trainer right in our home to work on some of these behaviors was incredibly helpful.  One thing that I did with Murph for a couple of months before the CGC test was to put him in a sit or down/stay and leave the room.  I started out with just a minute and kept increasing the time gradually each day.  He was used to it by the time of the test, and he did whine but only a couple of times when I first left and then he was fine.

[Jenny & Henry]

Wow, that sounds amazing!!!  I think I need to get me a shake can.  Do you use it out in the yard as well? 

[Dori & Rua]

I just use a small hard plastic jar with a screw-one lid that I have put some change in.  I haven't tried it out in the yard yet.  Rua goes in the back yard, on a leash, to potty and doesn't bark in the backyard.  I have tomorrow off, I'll test in the front yard.  I would think it would work.  Good luck

[Kyoko]

Yay!! Good job!! Dori and Rua!!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Good job, Dori and Rua!  How fun it is to overcome obstacles that really perplex us.  Brulee sometimes does the barking thing, too, and I'm going to try out your "shake can" trick.  It sounds so simple and practical!  Thanks for posting! 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so glad you reminded me of this.  Since we moved into our house, Peri goes ballistic looking at animals outside.  We live on an acre and every window is floor-to-ceiling so she really can get a big view of rabbits, squirrels, deer, you name it.  The barking has been driving me MAD.  I need to get the can back out that has change in it (we also used during puppyhood). Thanks for suggesting this.