Not been on for a while as felt not had the need to moan or get advise but need both big time now.

Ben the border terrier and is just over 1 year old. When I take him out he just needs to see someone or something across the road and he starts barking continually. It doesn't matter if it human, dog or cat. He mixes with other dogs off the lead and has a great relationship with them but as soon as he sees any other dog/person when he is on the lead it's a nightmare as I can't shut him up.

If we are walking along the pavement and someone comes towards us without a dog, he still barks at them.

If they have a dog with them he is virtually uncontrolable.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get him to stop barking at everything that moves.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Yours in desperation.

My dads border terrier is the same.
They got him at 3 years and apart from having agression to staffies (he was attacked by one once).

They use a half choke to correct him and turn him away from whatever it is he is barking at. It is an ongoing battle but they are getting there

x

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When did this start? Has he always done it?
How did you respond the first time.
How do you respond when he does this now?
Is he pulling towards the person/dogs, or holding back?
Can he be distracted?
What motivates him - food or toys?
Have you ever tried dropping the lead when he does this? What happens?
When he is off the lead has he ever done it?
What does he do when he is off the lead and other dogs/people pass?

Sorry, to ask so many things, but it could be a huge number of things!

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Try Citronella collar they do work.

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RIP all my babies.
Monty LabxGSD 1972-1982
Jody Black Lab1982-1999
KizzyLabx Goldie 1983-1994
Larry Yellow Lab 1985-1993
Charlie Black Lab 1986 -1997
Ben Yellow Lab 1985-1999
Pud Choc Lab 1989-2003
Bridgit Black Lab 1991-2004
Floss Yellow Lab1992-2006
Millie Yellow Lab1994-2010
My boy Ted, my first my last my everything.Golden Retriever 1/8/98-28/6/2011

I would be wary about using a collar they can sometimes make the dog worse.
I have seen a dog petrified of going a walk because he associated the unpleasant spray with his walk but his owners were too lazy to try and train him not to bark

x

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Thanks for your help in advance.

Taylor my GSD has this issue. I was told by another trainer, that spraying a water bottle in the dog's face is suppose to stop them. Or you can just stand infront of the dog and just try and move along quickly...

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Hi

Thanks for the responses. Firstly, don't go down the aversive route ie spraying etc.

This is an issue with being on the lead and how he sees the lead. The fact he is fine off lead would confirm this.

Chances are that he had a bark and rewarded inadvertently with your shhing, Also he may have been yanked, even just pulled back and so now is on the defensive when he sees other dogs and also people. It is really easy to escalate something and you now have to get the good association with walking on the lead, just as he is good off. I know instinct is to tell him off and give him a tug, but this is exactly what you must not do!

Firstly, try and avoid meeting people head on. I know that sounds a bit weird, but walk in an arc rather than head on. If the barking esclates, turn away for a few steps and then arch back to where you going. This breaks the cycle and gives him something else to think about. Try and keep the lead loose if you can. Anytime he stops the barking, praise and if you can get a treat in him a really high value one if possible, or break off and play with a toy. anything that makes a noise isn't great, does he like a tug toy (making sure you control it). This also reduces the stress levels. It is important you don't tense up with the lead either, or feel stressed yourself or this will communiate to the dog, so think ahead, keep calm and take evasive action before he start to get past that point of no return However, don't say anything to him, until he has shut up!

At home, try and be more in control, making sure he sits before getting any treats, before he goes out the door, has the lead on etc. etc. This will help nhim feel you are in control generally and should increase his trust in you. Walking on lead beside a friendly dog that he is relaxed with will also help.

To sum up, don't reprimand his barking, ignore it, do something else ie. turn around, walk sideways and always reward when he is silent. If you are consistent with this, you will have good results.

Ideally, spot the trouble coming and interupt the behaviour before it starts.

At home, as well as increasing your status, make sure you dog has lots of outlets for using his brain. but choose your activity to suit the breed, i.e. Collies chasing balls, Terriers, hunting stuff out behind sofas. I am not a great fan of tug games, but they it can be a useful game if you win and control toy. Labs obviously like retrieving retrieving etc.

Best of luck

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Oh I forgot to say, try to interupt him when he goes off and barks at other dogs off the lead. Call him back, get him to sit and turn away from the other dog. If he approaches them calmly, then let him carry on.

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Thanks so much for all those tips. It looks like I have my work cut out for me in the next while. Will try to keep you posted.

Morag x