How to stop dog barking..

[waterlocke22]

My mum has a ten year old Westie and he just won't stop barking at home and out on walks. I often walk him with my puppy but lately I just can't hack it anymore. I took him out the other day and he barked the whole way around the field for 40 minutes straight. It's quite embarrassing to be fair not to mention the headache i get after! It doesn't stop there, he is constantly scratching at the door to go out and then will just stand and bark at the back fence in the garden! It's driving us all mad! I suggested a muzzle to my mum just for short periods of time but she thinks its cruel. Anyone have any suggestions or know anything that works well?

[daffy654]

Has he always barked all the time?
If he has it seems a little bit late to be trying to stop him now.
You could try one of those 'bark trainer' electronic devices but I have no idea if it will work.

[waterlocke22]

He has always been a barker but was mainly just in the garden, my mum moved about a year ago and its just become incessant now at home and when out. She now has a very large garden and its in the middle of nowhere I don't know weather that would have anything at all to do with why he's barking so much more in the garden, but its just on the walks that's the most annoying! We can't even talk to other passing dog walkers as we can't hear each other speak!

[waterlocke22]

sorry spelling mistake, *whether.

[Brinjal]

A muzzle won't stop barking. That is for biting.

[woofgang]

Please please don't use a muzzle or a bark trainer or any other form of coercive treatment. At age 10 it might be a loss of sight or hearing or the early stages of dementia so get him checked out by the vet first, then if all is okay, find a good behaviourist (APDT member will usually find you a good one, if they start talking about bark collars, shock collars, e collars check chains, dominance or pet corrector then run a mile.

[waterlocke22]

Okay so basically he just needs some training to get him out of this habbit?

[woofgang]

If there is nothing physically wrong then yes, training should help...."just" training is a bit of a misnomer...it will take time and perseverance and a ton of patience.

[Kerosene]

10 years old? You have heard the expression:

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks" ? It's very doubtful you'll be successful if he's been used to barking at liberty all his life.

Nevertheless, I wish you the best of luck.

[woofgang]

depends why he's barking kerosene.....

[waterlocke22]

I have a puppy myself so know how hard training can be but am more than willing to put in the time to try! Thanks for your answers :)

[divegirl]

The first thing you need to do is get him checked by a vet to rule out any hearing or neurological issues!
Then you could bring in a trainer.... personally I would use my trusty water bottle [or a small water pistol] here.
In the house when he barks, stand somewhere he can't see you....aim and fire, then walk in to the room, give the command 'QUIET' in a firm voice give the command 'BED' or put him on to a down position and then and only then praise and treat him. Rinse and repeat lol
You can carry the water bottle out on a walk too and at the first bark, aim fire, command 'QUIET' .... Oh I'm sure you can work the rest out.
A muzzle will only [excuse the pun' mask the behaviour, also if you think the water bottle is too harsh, try looking up Victoria Stillwell as she will have training techniques for this too.

Lisa x

[chaptazbru]

I agree that it's best to get him checked by a vet first just in case there's some sort of underlying medical problem - good luck.

[woofgang]

beware of using a water spray or any other kind of aversive on a dog.

[Brinjal]

My brother has a six year old huntaway and managed to stop the barking (to a degree). But was a vast improvement.

[craft1948]

My 6 year old Westie is an embarrassment when we go out, he also incessantly barks. I've calmed him down to a great extent at home (he still mutters though) but outside he's uncontrollable and just ignores me.

[divegirl]

'' beware of using a water spray or any other kind of aversive on a dog. ''

Please don't misunderstand me.... the aim here is a short sharp [and painless] shock. Its more used to distract the dog from the unwanted behaviour thus allowing you to take control of the situation.

Lisa x

[woofgang]

its still an aversive and can make things worse depending on the cause of the behaviour. If the behaviour is based in fear it can make things a LOT worse.

[divegirl]

Yes I understand it is not for every one and that is why I recommended Miss Stillwell too, you seemed to have missed that bit though.

[daffy654]

Woofgang, by bark trainer I meant one of the ultrasonic noise trainers, not something that would hurt the dog. I hope you didn't think I meant something that would cause the animal some pain.

[ladybirder]

Personally, I'd go with whatever Victoria Stilwell suggests.