My dog seems to have become an obsessive barker over the years.

Every morning as soon as we let her out she goes straight to the backyard to bark until someone yells at her to stop. Even then when we tell her to stop it takes a while for her to listen to us.

She doesn't seem to bark at anything in particular, which is fantastic to find out at 5am in winter

Anyone have any solutions? Because it's come to a point where most of the family wants to give her away/put her up for adoption.

She's obsessive with other things like digging holes everywhere (REALLY deep ones) and she's scared of the weirdest things like the sound of water running and the noises the fridge makes.

I looked up Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for dogs and she has every symptom except aggressiveness. There weren't any solutions though.

I walk her once a week, it'd be more but she freaks out whenever I take her so it's difficult.

HELP!

Is there anything that's happening either inside or outside the home to make her feel insecure?

http://www.petplanet.co.u...ollars.htm

oh no

my dog barked like crazy at half a lemon yesterday
I'm worried he will get like that too.
He didn't like a slice of spring onion on the floor either

I will look it up in my dog dilemmas book!

rasplicious said:

Doesn't seem to be.

We live a very calm life lol, there's only 4 of us in the house, two senior citizens so it's not really a party every night

Outside, we've had possums and bats around in the past but there doesn't seem to be any of late as its winter but her barking is a year round thing anyway.

It just seems to be her routine every morning. Eat, toilet, bark. Even the sound of her barking is kind of bored and repetative, like she's only doing it because she has to or something.

x 10000

ZombieKitten said:

Pooches are odd creatures

My dog once ate two leather gloves in 10 minutes...

Scaaaary

purplesweat said:

my mum's beagle found a block of dark cooking chocolate, unopened, ate it with foil and all, and survived

ZombieKitten said:

Why does this sound so funny

Steadwood said:

it looks just as funny as it sounds

well, the first 5 minutes anyway

ZombieKitten said:

...hmmmmm....Maybe you should try him with an orange

Steadwood said:

did you make the doggy face meatloaf?
I forgot

Get one of those spray bottles, fill it with water and squirt her whenever she barks, or u can buy one of those anti barking collars

purplesweat said:

I wonder if she's doing what she thinks is expected of her? Was she encouraged to bark at the possums and bats before? I hope you can train her out of it. I did read that it can be a sign of under-stimulation or boredom, but I wonder if with her it's more a habit thing?

Good luck - I hope someone here can point you in the direction of resources that will help ... anything but those awful dog collars or other inhumane methods.

ZombieKitten said:

Not yet... I've been too busy

...How about this weekend?

Steadwood said:

I hope it doesn't bark!

Steadwood said:

I've got some mince in the freezer!!!
and some potatoes left from yesterday

OK! you're on

chillichocaholic said:

Tried that, she thought it was a game and just tried drinking the water each time

Thanks for your help, tho




She couldn't possibly STILL think its expected when every member of the household yells at her to stop every time? She wasn't encouraged to bark at any animals, she was encouraged to stay away.



Yeah, we'd never resort to those collars, I've seen the damage they do =[

ZombieKitten said:

I'll go out and get some fresh shepherds

Steadwood said:

ZombieKitten said:

Yummy!

you are going to have to start a troll stock photo library

ZombieKitten said:

I've been doing that the last 4 years

..My poor photobucket account

Steadwood said:

I mean for sale to the public

ZombieKitten said:

I think I'd be bankrupt in a week

Shouting at the animal will not do anything but encourage it to bark more as the animal thinks the humans are barking and joining in, the dog thinks it is a game, by everyone shouting you’re the ones encouraging the animal and making it worse.
You need to stop the shouting and use positive reinforcement example food treat Reward as it is normally the best motivation of good behaviour.

When the dog starts barking say “stop” in a stern voice but not shouting, just in normal every day talking voice, then show and give the treat with lots of excitement in voice praising.
Do this for a few days the dog obviously will still keep barking but the dog will start to understand the word “stop” and the rewarded treat.

Next step: When the dog barks say “stop” and show treat if it does not stop barking then turn around with your back facing the dog with your arms folded giving no attention or treat.
After a few minutes turn round to the dog saying “stop” and show the treat at same time but not giving the treat unless the dog stops barking if the barking keeps going then arms folded turn around again showing ur back to the dog and not handing over the treat.
Keep doing this until the dog stops barking praise with excitement in your voice and hand over treat straight away.
Do not confuse the dog by giving the treat until it stops barking.
Within the month the dog will understand and will stop the barking the minute you all say “stop”.

If your all unsure a good animal trainer or behaviourist will help, ask your vet, your vet will be able to point you in the right direction for a good one.
Good luck : )
[Edited 6/23/08 9:15am]

ZombieKitten said:

So this is somewhat normal, I saw my beagle eat a paper towel the other day Someone had wiped their hands with it after eating some meat

ZombieKitten said:

I read;

Dan Obsessively Barking HEEELP!

HamsterHuey said:

Did Dan get his bone yet?

rasplicious said: