Barking Cessation

Superman · 02-03-2022, 01:54 PM

In a nearby thread I noted our 24-month Heeler is trying very hard to be a good dog. The biggest thing standing in her way is the barking. She barks at everything, plus she barks at nothing. Loudly. WE have a vibrating bark collar, which I think she finds amusing. We say "NO!!" and put her in her crate, often enough.

Has anybody had good luck with a strategy we have not tried yet?

masraum · 02-03-2022, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

In a nearby thread I noted our 24-month Heeler is trying very hard to be a good dog. The biggest thing standing in her way is the barking. She barks at everything, plus she barks at nothing. Loudly. WE have a vibrating bark collar, which I think she finds amusing. We say "NO!!" and put her in her crate, often enough.

Has anybody had good luck with a strategy we have not tried yet?

I've heard that "NO!" to them is like us barking, and that it's a reinforcement to the barking.

I've had decent luck with getting them distracted before a barking trigger occurs (I do understand that she barks at nothing). And by distracted, I mean getting them to focus on you.

If there is a normal trigger (someone knocking at the door), then set something up where someone can knock on the door. Get the dog on a leash and some training treats. Tell the dog "look at me", and have someone knock on the door. I'm NOT a dog trainer, but I believe the theory is that you have them begin to associate barking triggers with focusing on you.

There may be other better methods. I'm far from a dog whisperer.

Superman · 02-03-2022, 02:24 PM

Good ideas, Steve. Thank you.

KFC911 · 02-03-2022, 02:26 PM

I've never had a barker personally, but have de-barked quite a few neighbors' dawgs that could go non-stop for hours. I used positive reinforcement (as always when I train) with treats (could be just a single kibble food) and get them focused on me ... and when the next reward is coming their way. I've always been successful... good luck! I only crate pups when they are young, and instead of a sharp "NO", I make a gutteral "ant" (hard to speel

) sound.... not speech... but that's just me

.

Then there was the former next door GSD that I inadvertantly trained to come to my fence and bark like an idiot at 6:30 am to get my attention a few years back

. I'm not sure who trains who .... but I won that one too.

Good luck.... and WOOF

!

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

There are surgical methods.

Just saying, not promoting.

VINMAN · 02-03-2022, 02:42 PM

My Heeler Bodhi barks at anything, everything and nothing at all!

We've tried bark collars, electric and spray. the ultrasonic things, and all the tried and true behavioral methods. All useless...

Still wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!

.

Bill Douglas · 02-03-2022, 02:43 PM

Electric collar. And blast the dog every time she barks.

KFC911 · 02-03-2022, 02:44 PM

LOL .... my chocolate Lab (Moka) helped me type that post.... and is barking at me now

.

She'll bark, but stops when I tell her to do so.... deer really set her off in the early morning hours .... two woofs is all I allow her tho....

KFC911 · 02-03-2022, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Electric collar. And blast the dog every time she barks.

Oh hell naw .... ain't saying it won't work, but it's just not necessary imo. Positive training is how I roll... and it works too

.

Crowbob · 02-03-2022, 02:54 PM

Electric cars work, too.

I'll take regular old gas engine, thank you.

Turn that gizmo up to 11!

flatbutt · 02-03-2022, 02:59 PM

A ceaselessly barking dog causes me to lose patience with the owner. I had an immediate neighbor who would leave their dog in the yard barking for up to an hour. More if they were out. I'd asked them to address it over and over for months. No joy. I finally got the neighbors to sign a letter to them complaining. It got a little better but didn't stop. They finally moved. Blissful quiet.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

I had a Husky like that. When he would start barking I'd grab his snout, not hard just enough to get his attention, and calmly say "No bark" After a while he figured out when he started barking and I started his way that he needed to stop barking. Eventually all it took was "no bark"

Zeke · 05:02 AM

I've been around a lot of people's houses. As I've mentioned, in my best years installing windows I'd visit 100 homes a year. Lots and lot of dogs. Most, but not by a wide margin, are decent. Decent dogs can be really un-decent when you're working next door and their owners are gone.

Therefore, I have the knowledge and equipment to stop any dog from barking. It's a transducer that generates up to 25 KHz at 100dB. And I have a megaphone for it. The whole kit is installed in a old Samsonite briefcase with a 5" hole cut out of one end. 12v. 19-20 KHz seems the most efficient and can reach 130dB at that level. People can't hear it.

I turn it on and they whimper away.

I love it

Superman · 02-03-2022, 03:44 PM

Shortcake does not bark incessantly, fortunately. There is hope. Plus, heelers are supposed to be smart. All the advice about positive methods rather than negative are very well-taken. I think she is a bit immune to discomfort. I think she could care less whether something is pleasing or unpleasant to her. I think heelers are just like that. Their focus is on their job. Shortcake thinks it is her job to bark. Ignoring the vibrations and electric shocks and air horns and sprays and anything else. You may have heard heelers are a bit stubborn, and I can confirm.

Bill Douglas · 02-03-2022, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Oh hell naw .... ain't saying it won't work, but it's just not necessary imo. Positive training is how I roll... and it works too

.

Oh totally. Electric collar as a last option if the other ideas don't work.

billybek · billybek's Garage

Spray bottle.
It has been working for us. Two border collies. They need to be reminded every once in a while and it is fun trying to get them when they are on the run!

LWJ · 02-03-2022, 08:21 PM

Keep,them coming. My dog is very protective. And, he hates UPS/Amazon.

Lots of barking. I could use help.

flatbutt · 02-04-2022, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

I've been around a lot of people's houses. As I've mentioned, in my best years installing windows I'd visit 100 homes a year. Lots and lot of dogs. Most, but not by a wide margin, are decent. Decent dogs can be really un-decent when you're working next door and their owners are gone.

Therefore, I have the knowledge and equipment to stop any dog from barking. It's a transducer that generates up to 25 KHz at 100dB. And I have a megaphone for it. The whole kit is installed in a old Samsonite briefcase with a 5" hole cut out of one end. 12v. 19-20 KHz seems the most efficient and can reach 130dB at that level. People can't hear it.

I turn it on and they whimper away.

I love it

dead link Zeke.

id10t · 02-04-2022, 04:44 AM

My old girl started being a frequent barker when some land across from us got cleared and traffic started picking up in our rural area. Also, the neighbors barn cat had kittens under our deck and while I've never fed/watered/etc them two of them like to hang out around our house, which drives our dog nuts.

What works for us is to block outside view of the front yard/road. We simply close one set of blinds and then open the storage closet door next to the front door, which blocks the glass pane on the side of it.

Out of sight, out of mind, no barking....

KFC911 · 02-04-2022, 04:51 AM

A former LEO tennant (next door to my parents' house) had two blue heelers and one had an electric collar/fence which sorta worked. Of course they were my buddies (like most dogs I know), and whenever I pulled into my parents' driveway, the old girl didn't care about a measly zap.... she was coming over to see her pal

.

I heart dawgs