Barking at the door

[leelapops]

Hello lovely people. I was wondering if I could ask your help and advice? Our Collie Jack has a tendency to bark and bark and bark and BARK at the door when someone knocks. I don't mind the barking itself, but I mind that he doesn't stop when told. Have any of you experienced this? I am sure someone has. If so, how did you train your dog to cut down the barking a little? Thanks, Lisa. x

[cruella]

Hi leelapops,
Afraid I have the same problem with my little Westie, Misty. Also with my last Westie.
Think it is a territorial thing with dogs, but I was forced to get a small plastic watergun, (childrens toy) and fill it with water.
When Misty barks continually, I shoot the water pistol at her face and she hates it. It does not stop the barking permanently, but it does quieten her at the time.
In a way, it is a good thing that our dogs do bark, as it also deters people from breaking into our homes. lol

[lankeela]

If the water pistol doesn't work (I just have to say where's that gun to mine!) try making him lie down. It is quite difficult for a dog to bark when lying down, and it will give you time to reward him for being quiet.

[leelapops]

Thank you very much all of you so far. I will give all of the above suggestions a go, cruella, lankeela, Zacsmaster. He does tend to ignore clapping-it's what I do to get his attention, as he gets a bit "fixated" sometimes, being a Collie-I think it's the whole selective hearing issue!

Thanks :) x

[ELVIS68]

In the tv show `It`s me or the dog` , Victoria Stilwell sorted this problem out by shouting out "Thank You" in high pitched doggy owners voice every time someone knocked at the door

It does work, although you get some strange looks when you open the door

[leelapops]

ELVIS, thank you...I am no stranger to odd looks, so that doesn't deter me! Nice idea, we have tried similar before, but he is insistent that we haven't heard the door and MUST be told! I will give it a go though, maybe as a "programme" of dealing with it! :) Ta. x

[beatlegal2]

there special collors that spray abit of gas or air into the dogs nose when he barks.i saw dr robert mungford use one and he top animal psycologist.these collors very effective