Barking AT you

[Michele Kiss]

Does anyone's puppy bark AT them? It doesn't seem to be in a vicious way, I'm guessing it's like how they bark at other pup's to say "Hey! I want to play! Play with ME!" but I don't love him barking at mommy... 

Any training advice? I have read up on it and DON'T do the "yell back at them to stop / 'no' " - keep quieter instead. But wondering if there's anything I should be doing. 

[Kelly & Zoe]

Zoe started doing that around 4 (or 5?) months - definitely a hey I want to play NOW!  It's like they find their bark at that age and want to exercise it.  I don't necessarily have training advice, just sympathy.  We did do the stand up, hands on hips with a stern NO thing and that worked some of the time.  Eventually she just grew out of it.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Lucy went through that stage as well, at about 6-7 months or so. It definitely was a bark to say, 'Let's do something fun! NOW!!', and it usually happened during our dinnertime when we were seated and eating dinner. At our trainer's suggestion, we separated her from us in another room when she started barking, either in the powder room or the entry hall (tethered to a doorknob) and remained there for about 5 minutes. Then we released her and repeated as necessary. I can't say if the separating helped, really, because she may have just naturally outgrown the stage. It was very frustrating while she went through it though, and it seemed to last for months. FYI, now she just lies at our feet during dinnertime.

[Michele Kiss]

Thank you both! I don't want to reward him by playing when he barks, so it sounds like a short time out or standing up etc might be good options. I have tried turning my back to him or body blocking but I'm still seated so it's obviously not a strong enough message. Funny, it's about the same time period too - he is 4 1/2 months. 

[Christina]

Michelle, Oakley is doing this too and you know he is the same age as Fenway. Been trying to ignore him. I agree, it is his way to get us to play or interact. Hoping they outgrow it.

[Michele Kiss]

Good to know, thanks Christina! 

[Cammie Hensley]

My parents have a dog (dachshund) who does this and they did not try to train him out of it. He started from day one barking at the back door when he needed to potty. At first it was a nice way to alert them he needed to go out, but oh boy. Now at 3.5 years, he barks when he wants ANYTHING. Play, outside, up on the couch (he's too small to get up), down from the couch, into a room with a closed door, etc., etc., etc. We spoke to a trainer about it once and she recommended a firm "no," which can be reinforced with a quick spray of water from a spray bottle (unfortunately they didn't follow through with this training). I'm not sure if this would be appropriate for your pup, some dogs can be sensitive to negative feedback like that. But regardless of your method, consistency is key to help communicate that you do not like this behavior. Good luck!

[Michele Kiss]

Thanks Cammie.Definitely don't want to end up in that situation in a few years! Yikes.