I think this is one of the most complicated subjects there is about dogs. Why do they like to stare at the moon and bark? Or most frustrating of all sometimes I have no idea what they are barking at.
I have found that Rusty especially is a BIG barker and he seems to do it continuously and sometimes without end. He seems to go into some sort of hypnosis where he does not register to any commands. He does the same thing when he sees other dogs and Chloe and Rusty start attacking each other.
How do I teach them to listen to my voice and react to my commands and not take into account the noise they are reacting too.
In addition to this how do I get them not to bark when I am not home? I spend all my time after work with them, I think I do spend a lot of quality time with them and I absolutely adore them. It is like coming home to my kids (and Yes I know I am not suppose to call them kids).
I think this is something a lot of us struggle with and I would like to know if anyone has any view on this.
I would also like to discuss the controversial discussion around debarking your dog? Do you think it is harmful to the dogs? Do you think it alters their personality and if so why would you say this is the case?
I would love to hear your views on this.
![[366 - day 80] - Rusty's turn](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6550848015_a48154dc09_s.jpg)
![[366 - day 79] - Is this my best side?](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6550506217_c4882ca331_s.jpg)
![Everybody needs a hug [365 - day 344]](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5126/5258607034_bae3d7f604_s.jpg)
![Terrier vs sticky bush [365 - day 187]](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4134/4772095528_49b36c8c84_s.jpg)
![Better than a sleeping pill! [365 - day 183]](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4076/4757937193_94e0f65ed7_s.jpg)
October 11th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Hi there,
Guess it’s my turn to post then!!
Barking and terriers … well it goes together so well!! Terriers are designed to bark – they were originally intended to help farmers get rid of vermin on their land and so would be sent down holes to chase whatever the ‘problem’ was and are not supposed to actually catch – just to find the animal and bark loudly so the farmer/owner can dig out the animal. This is where the barking in terrier originates from and is why they are so noisy generally!!
Barking for all breeds is a method of communication – a bark when outside can be checking who else is around without sounding submissive like a whine or threatening like a growl.
It’s also brilliant attention seeking – when a dog barks at us for attention most people instantly turn to face their dog and ask ‘what’ – so they are giving their dog the attention they are after and thus teaching their dog to bark for attention. And the pattern continues the more an owner responds to the barking!
Rusty sounds like he is frustrated about meeting other dogs – terriers generally are not good at dealing with frustration so often they react worse on a lead then they would off lead. The reason he goes for Chloe when he sees another, assuming he is on a lead and so can’t go to the other dog, is because he wants to go and interact, but cannot, so gets frustrated, and this is taken out on the closest substitute – Chloe. If you had a toy nearby instead of Chloe it would be the toy. If no Chloe he’d probably bite the lead.
I’m afraid the barking when you’re not home is back to separation anxiety. Do you remember the advice I wrote about night time and switching off from the dogs a while before going to bed? Well, give that same thing a go before leaving the dogs. Ensure you’re not interacting, chatting to, stroking, reassuring moments before leaving the home as this will just make them think there’s a reason for your reassurance – and that reason must be because youre not coming back!! Separation anxiety is a survival device – they need you so don’t understand it’s ok when you’re not there. Switch off from them 10 mins at least before going out, and then the same when you first come home and don’t interact (including eye contact) until they are no longer trying to get your attention. It’s hard, but remember you’re not doing it for you – you’re doing it to allow Chloe and Rusty to relax when you’re not there!
Hope that’s given you some more food for thought and hopefully will help a little more with the sep anx – I did wonder if there was more happening when you wrote about night time! It’s all linked!!
Take care
Joe, Cassie and Taylor
-x-
October 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the feedback. You are spot on with the separation anxiety, I have been thinking along those exact lines, and certainly from a point of view of coming home Louise is doing great on that score.
I also read that if at all possible it is good to not always leave and enter from the same place. For example in our house in the UK we could leave from the back door sometimes, so the dogs do not always associate you going out of the door with leaving for an extended period. Not sure, as we haven’t had chance to test it, but it makes sense.
It is also very interesting what you say about being on the lead. At the moment I think they would be off like a rocket if they were let off, but the frustration element is obvious. I think also they need a lot mor exercise than they are getting. When they arrive in the UK I think they will get a lot more exercise than is possible at present and it will be interesting to see their temperament once they get into a routine.
Thanks for the comment Joe, it’s great to have another opinion on these things. I am seeing training dogs is quite a challenge, albeit a very rewarding one!
Jim + Louise (oh, and Rusty and Chloe!)