Barking during class
On one hand it think if I give into the barks - even by making her work on commands she still got the attention/treat she wanted. On the other hand I would really like her quiet so the class is not bothered. Miley really is not a barker so we have not taught the Quite command. I just wish I spoke dog so I knew what she is trying to tell me. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. On the bright side - I am so excited about the class! The trainer suggested simple changes that made a big difference. The class is an Intoduction to Rally with beginner clicker training. For homework, we received detailed instruction for all the exercises we should work on. Thanks for the advice and letting me share my excitement. |
|
|
| WHEN I TOOK DERBY TO CLASS THERE WAS A DOG THERE THAT BARKED ALL THE TIME THE TRAINER WOULD TELL THE OWNER TO TAKE THE DOG AWAY FROM THE CLASS AND WALK HER THEN BRING HER BACK IN IF SHE CONTINUED THEN TAKE HER AWAY FROM THE OTHERS AFTER A WHILE THE PUP GOT THE IDEA IT WAS NO FUN BARKING AND BEING TAKEN AWAY EACH TIME.. GOOD LUCK |
suzptcruise wrote: WHEN I TOOK DERBY TO CLASS THERE WAS A DOG THERE THAT BARKED ALL THE TIME THE TRAINER WOULD TELL THE OWNER TO TAKE THE DOG AWAY FROM THE CLASS AND WALK HER THEN BRING HER BACK IN IF SHE CONTINUED THEN TAKE HER AWAY FROM THE OTHERS AFTER A WHILE THE PUP GOT THE IDEA IT WAS NO FUN BARKING AND BEING TAKEN AWAY EACH TIME.. GOOD LUCK
That's exactly what I would have suggested you to do. Good job Suzptcruise! 
There are so many reasons they can bark - excitement, fear, etc. The trainer should see if Miley's barking is excited or fearful. Both ways you would need to move away from class to see when she stops barking and work with her from there - This is called the BEHAVIOR THRESHOLD. Can you explain the way she barks? What is her body language? Forward, confident, tall or backward, small and not confident at all? Is her barking sounds the same as if a record player was broken - I hope this make sense.
It's great that you do Rally with her though! When you know why she is barking and you fix the problem you will have so much fun! |
| Thanks for the suggestion. I will try out next class. From the body lanugage I would think it more excitment or impatience. Head is up and she is alert but it is definitely not a her warning bark - that one is very distinct.
I know the sound of this bark. It is the same one she uses when she wants to go out to play and I have said no (i.e. she was just recently out and has done her buisness but wants more play time). |
| That's good if you can tell that she is just excited. Very good job! It's nice to hear people being able to read their dogs body language (or understand the way they bark)!
Then the only thing you will need to do - and I'm sure your trainer will say this too - is to move away from class until she calms down and slowly move closer to class, rewarding every second of calm behavior. Example: If she is calm and can pay attention to you from 20 feet away from the class, that's where you start the training first. Then you move to 18 feet (depending on her threshold) and then back to 20 feet. After that you can move to 15 feet, back to 18 then down to 10 feet, etc. I hope this makes sense.
When is next class? Please let me know how that one goes! |
| We had class tonight and she is doing better. Our trainer suggested a different calming suggestion but same principle - simply cover her eyes very gently with your hand. She can't see whats going on and it seems to work without leaving class. |
Wow, I've never heard that one before but I will try it too. As long as it works for her it's good. So, next time you go to class are you going to put a bandana over her eyes?  |
| Another thing to try is turning Miley away from what ever is triggering the bark and focus her attention on something else. If you have already taught her "watch me" or something similar, use it then.
If it were me, I would turn away from whatever started her barking, and immediately have her do something that she knows - like a sit, or a trick - anything to refocus her attention and have her do something she can do - and then praise her. You basically want to short-circuit the previous behavior. Then watch her body language - you will know when she is over it, and can return her focus back to the class.
The barking and other undesireable behaviors could lead to leash aggression and you definitely want to avoid that. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|