Typically, the behaviors we see our dog use most frequently are the ones that we have TAUGHT our dog, whether we did so consciously or unconsciously. Once you realize what purpose the behavior serves in the dogs eyes, it will become easier to make them stronger or make them go away.
Consider these two scenarios: Your young son wants $5.00 to go out with friends and get pizza at the corner. If you were an 11 year old, which response (consequence/result) would you prefer…
- “Mom, can I have $5.00?” For what Bobbie? “I want to go get pizza with my friends.” What happened to your allowance I gave you two days ago? “I spent it already.” Well you have to learn to budget your money better. I will give you five dollars but only after you do two loads of laundry, that is how life works Bobbie. But Mom…. Etc. etc.. Bobbie does laundry, and then is able to go out with friends
- “Dad, can I have $5.00?” Sure kiddo, here you go, have fun with your friends.
The preferred result getting $5.00 right away, makes the behavior more likely to reoccur. Next time Bobbie will most likely just ask Dad.
Now consider this scenario from a dogs point of view:
Assume that the “Dad” figure is the main person to take dog for walks. This usually happens after work and changing clothes. Dad set the original rules/habit of life for this after work time. Dog is bonded to the habit of walking with dad after he arrives home. Dog analysis – Dad and I, we check stuff out together. When he comes home he pets me, goes into that other room, then he comes out picks up leash and baggies and we go outside for “use your nose time” I get to wander about, smell awesome stuff and tell the other local guys I am still here, healthy and all is well.
Now let’s change the scenario slightly:
Dad is working later than usual, and is extremely tired when he gets home from work. He thinks, I will walk the dog in a little bit. Instead of going right out, dad has a beer, then sits on the chair and puts his feet up. Dog follows dad, Dog begins to bark at dad when the behavior pattern is disrupted. He barks at him and walks to the door. No response, He then returns and repeats this “reminder” of what we SHOULD be doing. Dads’ response can be one of a few things.
Dad gets up and takes dog for walk. Dog’s Analysis is: “Dad forgot the rules of life, barking let him know it was time for walk.
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Dogs Take away is BARKING WORKS.
Gives dog a cookie/treat instead – Dog Analysis is: “Dad seems to have forgotten the rules of life but barking made him give me food. not the reward I was looking for but hey I like treats, pretty cool, barking gets me treats.
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Dogs Take away is BARKING WORKS.
Dad ignores barking – Dog eventually gives us (depending on breed and personality, “eventually” can be 5 minutes or an hour or longer.) Dog Analysis is: – HMMM… Dad seems to have changed the rules, Dad isn’t responding, I am SO frustrated, why isn’t he getting ready to go walking?
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Dog’s Take away is BARKING DOESN’T WORK.
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Owner Take away – My dog is so stubborn.
Dad realizes his dog is expecting the normal walk time. Dad asks dog to Sit, Shake Paw and Lay down. He then gets up, gets leash and takes the dog for a walk OR when dog goes to lay down on sofa Dad gets up and takes dog for a walk.
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Dog’s take away is BARKING DOESN’T WORK.
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Owner take away: Dog has given me great information about his dependence on structure in daily patterns. Training can help make this more manageable for me.
For some dogs the level of frustration when dad simply ignores it can be VERY aversive and some dogs will simply just not stop, especially if barking has been reinforced previously. Sometimes, just once is enough for a dog to understand the new reward that barking gets them, for other dogs the pattern needs to be repeated a few times before they key in to the new rule that has been established. (barking=walk, barking=petting, barking=tug etc.)
If instead we redirect and give dog an alternative job, we have shown the dog that there are several ways to get what you need/desire met but barking is not one of them. We also have a new training to work on based on what our dog has shown us. Now we can practice breaking the daily pattern with the intention of training with our dog prior to going for a walk and hopefully right before the barking begins. This will then give your dog other ways to ask for what they need to replace barking.
Dogs will repeat behaviors that provide them with the consequences (results) that they want. Be sure you are communicating clearly to your dog all the polite ways to ask for what they need and your dog will use these behaviors first and foremost.
Our dog, a rescued chihuahua, barks every time my husband gets out of his chair. Every Time. What can change this behavior? Help!
Hi Thanks for asking. Demand barking can be the most annoying of dogs habits. There are many factors to think about, if it is demand barking, then the first things I would look at is what is the dog “getting” for barking. If he barks and your husband pets him / picks him up / feeds him a cookie etc. that is WHY your dog is barking. Now we just need to find him/her something else to do instead of barking. We would set up practice training where your husband is seated and we would have him stand up when we were either already working with your dog doing training games or playing with his toys. It is a little bit of a process and really depends on the WHY.. for instance if your dog is fearful of men – or quick movements there would be a different solution/protocol. I would suggest you set up a free 15 minute phone consult and we can discuss what is going on and I can likely give you more detailed plan to work on catered to your dogs needs. http://www.compassiondog.com/contact
A dog I’m dogsitting barks when out for a walk if we stop walking (ex. to talk to someone on the trail). He also stands in front of me and barks before his meal time. How do i break this habit?
Hi Jessica, These are great questions. I will do my best to give you a general “how to” to get you started to tranform these behaviors. Lets start with barking when walking stops. I would start with a leash on in the house or in the backyard. We want to start where he wants to focus on you and “the world” is not so exciting. Have 10-15 pieces of kibble or tiny pieces of soft treats. You will pick up the leash take 2-3 steps forward and then stop. IMMEDIATELY say “YES” and feed the pup for not barking.. (i am assuming in the house with no distractions you will be able to get 2-3 steps in if he barks before you can feed the treat then do only one step. You want to start the next repetition as soon as the pup finishes chewing the treat. Keep practicing in the house/yard until you can go 15-20 steps with no barking. It won’t take as long as you might expect. I would assume that by that time your dog will likely be looking up to you every time you stop or at least when you say yes.
The next step is that you would now delay the time between when you are walking and when you are standing still. So now you are standing still for longer in between repetitions. I would practice this until you can stand still with no barking for at least 15-20 seconds. At this point you would start to practice these in the front yard, driveway or sidewalk. Just back and forth in the vicinity of the house.. Go back to step one and likely you will move quickly back to the longer distance between stopping and the time you can remain standing still.
Final step to to “meet a stranger” in the front yard or driveway. Practice walking and stopping rewarding around the person, then stop and talk to the person. Rewarding periodically while you are talking as long as they are not barking. Start walking before he barks.. Then try again.
Now you can start to “take it live” on walks. Once you are able to do this on walks we can then start to cut back on rewarding for quiet when you stop. (every other time, every time, every 3 or 4 times) keep it random and eventually you will not need any treats at all. I know it seems like alot of steps, but the dogs usually work through them very quickly.
As to barking at dinner time. I would vary the ritual of feeding so it is a little more unpredictable for the dog. Dog can go outside and you get the food ready in the bowl before you let him back in. With dog bowl in hand let him in. The minute he enters the room, say sit (if he knows that word) and as soon as he sits put the bowl of food on the floor. Repeat… and Repeat. Eventually the dog will know to sit as soon as you are standing and holding the bowl of food.
I would then try the same thing with the dog in the house, He may bark IF the excitement and barking stems from watching the food getting prepared. If that happens let me know.. and we can work on that.
Take Care,
Kelly
Hi, Dee,
I do apologize for the delay in responding. Somehow your question was never forwarded to my email. When I teach dogs to be less reactive to movement it is usually a quick but very step by step process. We practice small steps in the process of your husband standing up and moving across the room. When we teach your dog that your husband moving is a signal for great things to happen for him, pretty quickly your dog will bark less and less and soon will be accepting of quick/startling movements. If you would be interested in hearing more about this protocol or signing up for classes, please sign up for a free phone consult. http://www.compassiondog.com/contact. Thank you for reaching out. Kelly Keeney