Constant barking!!

[Chrystie22]

Diva's now 8 months old and has developped a new (irritating ) habit: she barks at absolutely everything!!! Whether it's being in the garden or the front drive of our property or on walks or at our neighbours or friends,..it seems to be all the time now! She even starts barking when she is at home, we usually check to see if there is someone or something untowards outside but 98% of the time, there isnt; I know dogs have better hearing than we have so it probably is a cat or a distant noise inaudible to us but it is getting very annoying. We have tried to just ignore her but she gets into a frenzy sometimes and it takes her while to calm down. She has been in season for almost 3 weeks now so it may be linked, I dont know. Any suggestions/ advice on what to do to curb that habit? Ta!

[zetstaff]

Only give her any attention when she's quiet, otherwise she'll associate barking as a way to get attention from you

[LOVEGSD]

Maybe teach her the 'quiet' or 'enough' command so you can end the barking. Some dogs find barking very rewarding.

[Chrystie22]

Originally Posted by zetstaff

Only give her any attention when she's quiet, otherwise she'll associate barking as a way to get attention from you

We've tried that but she can bark for what seems like ages sometimes for no apparent reasons and it is hard to let her, especially as she seems a bit stressed too, panting and all that! She seems to be doing it more when night falls, she's fine during the day in the garden for example but as soon as it gets dark, she barks! Thank god we have neighbours with dogs too (one has 3 GSDs who are barkers too) so they dont mind! Is she scared of ther dark or are her senses more acute at night? May sound a silly question but have to ask

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by Chrystie22

We've tried that but she can bark for what seems like ages sometimes for no apparent reasons and it is hard to let her, especially as she seems a bit stressed too, panting and all that! She seems to be doing it more when night falls, she's fine during the day in the garden for example but as soon as it gets dark, she barks! Thank god we have neighbours with dogs too (one has 3 GSDs who are barkers too) so they dont mind! Is she scared of ther dark or are her senses more acute at night? May sound a silly question but have to ask

Lynn's is a good idea, teach her 'quiet', don't ask me how as mine aren't barkers + I've never had to

Don't think she's scared of the dark, but things are a lot quieter at night, could just be tiny noises are amplified more

Sorry can't help more hun x

[Chrystie22]

Ta Tracey! Will google or search this forum for tips on how to teach the 'quiet' command. I've heard that you have to teach the 'speak' command first, which we have done so we're half-way there (she says full of hopes !)

[kita]

Originally Posted by Chrystie22

We've tried that but she can bark for what seems like ages sometimes for no apparent reasons and it is hard to let her, especially as she seems a bit stressed too, panting and all that! She seems to be doing it more when night falls, she's fine during the day in the garden for example but as soon as it gets dark, she barks! Thank god we have neighbours with dogs too (one has 3 GSDs who are barkers too) so they dont mind! Is she scared of ther dark or are her senses more acute at night? May sound a silly question but have to ask

There is always a reason, we just cannot see/hear it.

Could she be hearing a fox, rats or other nocturnal creatures in your garden? That would explain why she works herself into a frenzy and seems a bit stressed.

Do you ever let her out into the garden when she is barking?

Also, could she be hearing the 3 GSD's of your neighbour barking and that sets her off? Or maybe if they are male she is telling them to come and get her whilst she is in season!

Actually if she is at the end of her season and the barking has just started her scent may be attracting any stray male dog's to hang around your house, which is provoking her into barking at them.

Sue

[Chrystie22]

Sue

Yeah I guess she could be hearing foxes as there are some round our way (the animal kind tho, not the human ones, ah ah!!), and cats as they seem to be everywhere, not forgetting the pigeons one of our neighbours is keeping in his garden!!!!

We usually make her sit and wait until she has calmed down before letting her out in the garden, it works for 2mn but as soon as her paws hit the grass, she starts again!

I must say I cannot remember exactly when she started the barking thing so cant say for sure it is linked to her season, but it is recent. I may be wrong but didnt I read somewhere that being in season makes them a bit weary (and possibly fearful) of things?

Originally Posted by Chrystie22

We've tried that but she can bark for what seems like ages sometimes for no apparent reasons and it is hard to let her, especially as she seems a bit stressed too, panting and all that! She seems to be doing it more when night falls, she's fine during the day in the garden for example but as soon as it gets dark, she barks! Thank god we have neighbours with dogs too (one has 3 GSDs who are barkers too) so they dont mind! Is she scared of ther dark or are her senses more acute at night? May sound a silly question but have to ask

zeus started barking at night for a while til we realised he was barking at the tv reflecting on the window..... doh!!

[heygirl28]

Diva Diva Diva! I'm not even gonna reply to this one coz i think u know what im gonna say about Zara hahaha!!!!!! For sure these two came out of the same pod