Dog barking

[maggie01]

I have a small dog who barks at all the animals on tv. Both in films and adverts including felix which isn't real. When she was young we tried shaking stones in a tin to distract her but most of the time nothing works. What amuses me is when Paul O'Grady come on with Buster she takes no notice. They are both the same breed. She can't possible know so why does she not bark at him.

[drgnrdr]

Maggie, what do you do when you shake the tin of pebbles? Do you give a cue word like "no bark" then if she doesn't, shake the tin? then reward her for no barking when you startle her?

That should be the order for training.Get her attention by saying her name. Give cue like "no bark", (pick a cue word and stick to the ONE cue command, don't say different words, be consistent), then if she doesn't stop then shake the tin (a startle aid), and if she stops barking for 2-3 seconds then praise and tell her "good girl" and give her a small treat.

If you have not tried it this way see if she'll still respond to the tin of pebbles, but do it like this.

I'm not sure about the show, if she was socialized around her kind as a puppy, she would be okay, she may be afraid of those other, different type of dogs. Or depending on what kind of show it is, since I can't see the show I can't take a guess on why. Or if she gets attention when she barks at the shows. I wish I could see it so I can tell you.

Screaming and yelling doesn't usually work, it's like your joining in. Let me know... if the tin is not good anymore.

[maggie01]

thanks I will try again .I have got to a point where I do shout to tell her to stop so I suppose she thinks its ok to bark. The show is a sort of chat show and the dog sits on the desk. He's very placid. The host also has another dog he sometimes brings instead and she goes mad.

[drgnrdr]

Okay maggie, well that may explain it dogs really don't see like we do, and the TV is something I think they have a hard time figuring out, they see something moving they might catch that, if the dog is not moving "placid" then she may not see it as easily.

Check out http://www.vetinfo.com/dogsee.html

if you can...

[funnywebsite]

Animals love T.V as much as we do but they do not understand that it is not real. Apparently, snooker was voted as cats and dogs favourite T.V programme and they often run around the back of the T.V to look for the potted balls. I have birds and they always join in if they hear birds singing on T.V (not good if someone is having a lie in or gone to bed early in the house) I have often had to keep my birds covered up for a while if my husband is still in bed or change the channel. You should enjoy the dog joining in it sounds quite entertaining.

[maggie01]

It may be entertaining if its an advert but if it is a programme or film you particularly want to see. then it is a bit annoying. Let's face it, there seems to be an animal in nearly every programme. I love her to bits but it can be a pain sometimes.