How to stop my dog barking

[kate1976]

Everytime the door goes, the dog goes mental and if I let the person in then he jumps all over them barking and mouthing them! I hold him back but he then starts mouthing me and nearly strangles himself trying to get away!!

it's driving me crazy now!! and it's distressing to see him get so wound up!

I can't put him in another room as it's all open plan so that's out of the question! I also don't have money to be getting a behaviour expert in so a nice cheap idea will be perfect!! He's not easily distracted when he starts either, we've tried the whole throwing treats distraction trick, he just has the treat and carries on!!

Any ideas will be gratefully received
Thanks in advance!

[lilacben]

Hi Kate I really wish I knew myself. My dog Ben ,large rough collie, is just the same have had two dog behaviourest,dog whisperer and varies anti bark collars. He Still barks.!!! at the door bell,phone ringing,me, moving around the house,makeing the bed,opening the back door or front door,keys,people coming in and out.!! the list just go's on. Anyone out there that can help us.!!

[shaneystar2]

My dog does this ..but only when someone comes to the door.
It is difficult... he goes mad at the postman etc but does it with friends and family as well.It is hard to get them to differentiate between friend or foe. He's not a biter or growler ..he just kicks up a stink !! Being a cross alsatian lab ..it is extremely loud when he lets rip.You need earplugs!! In a way it's good ..because woe betide the person who tried to burgle us but on the other hand it's annoying when he knows very well that it is someone he, and we, know.
I have tried the tack whereby we have different people come to the door at different times. We have gone back and forth ..in and out ,back door ,front door,and got funny looks from neighbours.! We have gone down the treat route too.
We ignore him and all sorts ..but at ten years old we let him go now and just shut him in the front room..for the postman or other strangers ...and he calms down after a few minutes with family etc.
Strangely enough ..when I used to work part time my neighbour used to take him out for me. He was a good friend as well as a neighbour and used to have a key.When he came in to take Shane out and we were not there he never made a whimper. but ..if our neighbour happened to call round when we in he would kick up merry hell !!
I think it's just him..defending us and his territory. I would also be interested to hear what others think.

[Ava77]

Hi Kate,
You'll need a bit of patience, but there is a way of getting him to calm down. Get someone to come to the door as they usually do, and as soon as your dog starts barking make the guest leave and close the door again, take your dog into another room and ignore him - just stand with him until he's calm.

Once he's calm repeat the process. Every time your dog overreacts the guest must leave and you must close the door and wait for your dog to calm down. It might take a while, but eventually it should work.

[Noweia]

Noise aversion may also work, then you can reward him if his attention is distracted from the door!

[Kimmiebear]

A really helpful trick is a "watch me" command. This is going to sound really daft, but it is really great. When you have time, and you must do it all the time if you want to teach your dog to "watch" you on command. Some trainers insist the dog sit as well, but I think it works fine in any body position. Anyways what you do is say, "George (or Fluffy or Max.. ) watch me!" When your dog makes eye contact, and is calm reward him and go about your buisness. If your dog will not look at you raise your voice a little bit and try again. If your dog gets to excited during this game, stop and go back to what you were doing. You have to start this training when your dog is calm. Eventually your dog should be able to drop everything and look up at you and await your next command. Always praise after he obeys to give a signal that you are done. By introducing this command it gives you the ability to make your dog stop and look at you, it also quiets him down if done properly and he will wait appropriately. It worked wonders for George as he used to try and bite people who came to visit me. With this command I could make him look at me then sit and stay.
If you are uncomfortable with this talk to your vet office. Many offer behavioural consults for under 100.00 and most will have hand-outs on some training techniques.
Having people come in and out is a good idea to get him used to the idea, but only if he doesn't go crazy every time they come in. Try planning it ahead and sitting with your dog while they let themselves in. If he stays calm reward him. If he gets excited scold him and then ignore him and go immediately to your guest. Exclusion from your attention often is a very helpful training tool.
Cheers
Kim

[Kimmiebear]

I should add that you need to stay calm when people come. If you get all worried bout how he is going to react then he is going to feed off of that and become nervous as well.

[kate1976]

Thank you for your replies. I shall give those ideas a go and hopefully something will work!

lilacben & shaneystar2 Good luck and I hope you find solutions too!

[Pebbles]

I found that if you shake a plastic bottle filled with stones or a tin can with coins, this distracts the dog from barking. You then reward. Works well when trying to train dogs not to get to the mail first......!!!

[lilacben]

Yes thanks for that advise. Have tried all of them on Ben but not the" Look at me". will try that and see. But to be honest he is so worked up at the tiniest thing I do not think I could get his attention. But never say never I will try.

[lilacben]

Oh did for get to say out side on walks he is an angel,butter wouldnt melt.! but as soon as he gets to front door he is off again. Pushes past us and barks in every room. And garden forgot to mention that.!!

[thugulike]

Try going outside to meet and greet. Only when the dog is calm do you then go inside. You must learn to ignore his behaviour as it is probably attention seeking. I used a remote control collar which expelled lemon spray to stop a deaf dog from barking when she was left alone. She wore the collar when alone until she died last year. It had stopped working years before but she only had to have the collar on for her behaviour to change

[dilf]

you might not like this but it works..... tabasco its not cruel its just very uncomfortable. just let him lick a drop off your finger when you command him to be quiet he'll remember that . and before i get a million moans im speaking from experiance it works as a last resort . do not give more than a drop mind you or you'll be cleaning his mess up off the new carpet

[agj71]

I used to squirt my dogs with a water pistol, they didnt like that ( just irritated them ) evertime they barked at the door.