h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

please can some1 help me ive got a very naughty dog she wont stop barking at everything she sees ! do u have any tips ??

Water pistol, perhaps? Shot from behind your back or something, though, so she doesn't connect the shock of water with you. Also it's got to be timed right so the connection is made: "If I bark I get a shock of water. I don't like that. Hm,maybe I won't bark unless absolutely necessary".

Deb

Your dog is not naughty, she's being a dog. What breed is she?

It's more natural for some dogs to bark than others, for instance the 'guarding' breeds such as the German Shepherd, or terriers who I think bark for just the sheer fun of it.

What I do when my terrier barks is to get up and see what he's barking at. He's barking to alert the home that he thinks something might be wrong, so I check it out and tell him it's ok. If he then keeps barking I put him out of the room, or out the back door so that he's on his own until he's quiet, then he comes back in.

I know it's annoying to have a barking dog - my terrier even barks sometimes when I move position on the sofa, you have to be patient and work consistently with the dog to make sure she knows that it's not acceptable to continue barking when her owner has checked things out and told her there's no problem.

Please don't start squirting the dog with water, because you could make her aggressive towards you, and it might stop her barking, but then she's just take her frustration out some other way - probably by chewing up your house.

You don't want to stop a dog barking, because one day she could bark at a genuine threat and you'll be glad.

Last time I was on holiday we all fell asleep - Fred barked to warn us there was someone creeping around the motorhome and we both woke up. As it happened, it was a welcome person, but it could have been someone with bad intentions. I'm glad for his barking.

thanks i'll try that im sure ive hrd it before somewhr... i donno do you have a dog has it worked with yours ??

thanks alot its mainly whn were outside or on a walk she goes mad but as you said she might wnt 2 protect me. i got a message from some1 saying spray her with water i said i would but wasnt sure wht if she still barks outside ??

Hi Livi

It's been pointed out to me my advice may not have been good advice, and I have to say I've never used a water pistol on my dog. It's just something I read somewhere and it's probably true you should never believe everything you read.

I have a mongrel and he often barks at anyone visiting neighbours across the road. He also barks every time the postman comes. If you think about it from his point of view, it's a very successful way of protecting his home - the postman comes up the path, the dog barks, postman goes away again!

Eco Worrier's advice is probably best - she's an experienced dog owner, whereas this is my first.

Good luck.

Deb

Hi livi,

If she's barking outside it could be because she's not used to being outside, or she doesn't like other dogs because she's scared of them. It's really difficult to say without seeing the dog and what she's doing, or why she's doing it.

I think that you shouldn't get advice from people on the internet, as they don't know you or your dog. Although I think it's great that you are asking for help!

You need to find a training class in your area and take the dog along to that. Most clubs will take handlers your age, although they will probably want your mum or dad with you. They will be able to help you to find out why your dog is barking and help you to calm her down.

What do your mum and dad say?