Barking Episode 5- Barking at Dogs Behind Fences

This is a continuation of the video "Barking Episode 3- barking on a walk". Please watch that video first to work on the foundation exercises. Also watch my videos on loose leash walking as a tight leash can cause a dog to be more aroused and reactive on walks.

Step One-

Click and feed your dog as he alerts towards the gate he usually barks at BEFORE he barks, and then walk the other way. Repeat this step until he is no longer alerting. You can also feed your dog for looking, instead of clicking. However, if you do this and your dog turns around to look at the food, don't give it to him. You want the other dog to be the predictor of reinforcement, NOT your hand movement!

Step Two-

Walk closer to the gate or window that the reactive dog usually appears at and either feed the dog AS they are looking, or click the dog and feed. Then walk away.

Step Three-

Pass the house in an arc. Walk your dog across the street so that he is as far away from the barking dog as possible as you both cross. As the dog begins to look confident and relaxed you can walk the dog in a closer arc. Keep in mind to not walk TOO close to the other dog, as you don't want to cause it any undue stress!

If your dog becomes reactive, simply say "lets go" and go the other way (with NO TREAT). Practice the cue "lets go" before using it with distractions. If your dog keeps reacting make it easier for your dog, walk up to where he is comfortable, click and then turn back the way you came.

Step Four-

When you have changed your dogs emotional response to dogs barking at fences, continue to give your dog information and feedback!
Walk past the barking dog, and tell your dog what a good dog he is for being so brave and relaxed. Remember you can use your voice and calm touch to tell your dog they are wonderful! You can also use calming signals as you pass, to tell your dog you are not worried about the other dog.

Tips-

1- Use management and prevention. Start practicing this exercise with the dogs that your dog has the lowest reaction to and then work up to the ones that he has the highest reaction to. If that means driving past the house up the street and getting out to walk your dog, it's worth it!


2- If your dog recently reacted to another dog, when passing a house with a dog at the gate, go back a step and increase distance because your dog will be more likely to react.


3- If you are not seeing improvement- try using better treats and try working from further distances first. You can also practice just hanging out in front of your house, or practicing 'settles' with your dog on leash to help your dog be calmer when outside.

4-Don't leave your reactive dog behind a fence or window when you are not home- as they will learn to become reactive to other dogs.


Article on: How to solve barking at the door towards visitors:

http://www.dogmantics.com/Dogmantics/Training_Articles/Training_Articles.html

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Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• how
• to
• stop
• barking
• dog
• training
• clicker
• obedience
• leash
• walking
• fence
• fighting
• reactive
• reactivity
• counter
• conditioning

[KelyK70]

Im curious to know how you would adjust your technique for dogs that bark from behind their OWN fence? I have 3 dogs that form a barky "gang" when other dogs pass by. I have not found anything that will distract them once they get going.

[ThinkPinkLeah]

I wish there was a kikopup where i lived??

[josski32]

Well I was wonderig most trainers say not to tell your dog good boy when he's scared but then again you said only when he's relaxed so is that ok??

[dietolleeinzigartige]

my dog was barking when he was waching this video,because he saw dogs

i saw the video where i have to say lets go and walk away,but what should i do know??

please write back

thanks,

[MidnightShane37]

this dumb bicth talks to much

[MsGoodHands]

3) work all three together. remember, being in their "gang" might give enough context to trigger barking, so as you move to two dogs, all three dogs, etc., you might need to back up a step on the distance to fence or intensity of trigger and work your way back up. each dog must be worked with seperately FIRST using clicker to establish positive emotional respons with hearing/seeing dogs outside fence BEFORE putting them together.

[MsGoodHands]

the more reactive dog. then follow the steps kikopup outlines in this video, just switch it around to being behind the fence. for example:

1) click and treat for noticing, bot ut not barking at sounds/sights outside fence. start with low intensity (dog at distance) and move to higher intensity (dog movign right by fence) as dog relaxes. start with greater distance from fence and move closer as dog relaxes.

2) work two dogs together. might need to back up distance to fence/intensity of trigger

[urbanninjaist]

Oh, when I saw this video I thought there would be someone hiding behind a fence barking randomly trying to get a dog to bark,lol

[SDCmorg]

The puppy I sit every other week didn't use to bark at all. Then his mom taught him to 'speak', and when I saw him next, he was barking at almost anything he saw or heard. :oP Took me 3 days to get him to refrain from barking that randomly (I click & treat when he hears/sees stuff but hasn't barked yet). It doesn't help that his mom & dad still likes to make him 'speak' to entertain their friends, though.

[ANABeachGirl]

thanks