Westhighland terriers & windows

[brianfbridge]

i have a neutered 7 year old westie that is obsessed by open windows, but only when he is outside. In the house an open window doesn't bother him, but if he sees one open from outside he stands and barks at it. In a way I'm OK about it as it is a warning to us; but the new legislation on dogs barking may cause problems in the future. Has anyone any suggestions for modifying this behaviour? :-$
Brian

[Dr Doolittle]

Hiya Brian. If you can imagine seeing a window being opened from the angle your dog is looking up at it specifically from outside with the sky providing reflection (all year round), the reflection in the window changes dramatically which un-nerves him. If he's inside looking out and the window opens, nothing changes (except he might have a better view of what he knows is there - a car, a tree etc.

It's not much use him warning you that someone is opening a window from the inside of the house really, as it means they're already inside!

What I would advise is you take just a few minutes each day to let him sit or stand outside a closed window (preferably with someone he knows but not necessarily), and then you open it from the inside whilst at the same time calling his name in your normal voice. It will act as a reasurrance that seeing a window opening - even though the reflection in it might change, is not a threat. If it's a ground floor window, as you open it and call his name in a friendly way, throw a little treat, dog biscuit out of the window as you open it. I guaranatee the barking will stop after a couple of weeks if you do this daily. As I say, do it several times one after the other each day. It'll take minutes but work wonders!

[brianfbridge]

Thanks Dr Doolittle,
We will start the 'treatment' immediately and let you know how we get on
Grateful regards
Brian :-)