9 month old barks a lot

canadian_mole · 05-30-2008, 02:24 PM

Just discovered this forum today, our family is new to the doberman world. We have had Diesel for about three months and he is 9 months old. For the most part he is a really good dog, basic puppy issues that we working on with him, through training. He is very smart, catches on quickly and making excellent progress. But when you let him out in the yard he barks, although he barks very little inside the house. Even when there is nothing to bark out. He runs along the fence, happily barking, seems to think it a game. Have bought him lots of chew toys to help keep him busy, doesn't like the Kong. Tried a Petsafe bark collar, doesn't work. We do spend time with him in the yard, but he will still carry on in front of us. We are trying to verbally correct him, by telling him "no bark" or "never mind". He is driving us nuts and we are hoping to correct it before our neighbours complain. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

robinb · 05-30-2008, 02:57 PM

I live in a rural area and don't have close neighbors so barking isn't a big thing to me. It sounds like it could be for you and it's better to stop it before a complaint. The Dogtra and Tri-tronic bark collars do work.

DOG BARK COLLAR - DOGTRA YAPPER STOPPER DOG BARK COLLAR - DogEquipment.com

DobeSpell · 05-30-2008, 03:33 PM

When he starts barking say Good boy and then command Quiet or whatever you want to use to make him quiet, if he doesn't stop correct him with a sharp
No! and put him back in the house. Keep'm there few minutes and then let out.

Repeat whenever he barks and doesn't stop on command.

WorkingInSTL · 05-30-2008, 03:39 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of dobermanns. It seems that any dobe I have ever had barks just to hear their own brains rattle sometimes. They are great in the house, but feel the need to bark violently at absolutely nothing when they are outside.

If barking is an issue, the most effective and humane way to correct the issue is with an electric bark collar. The reason I say it is the most humane is because an electric bark collar takes the "human factor" out of the process. The collar is designed to consistently administer a correctly timed correction as a result of the undesired behavior. The dog barks, receives a correction, and quickly learns that barking is not a desireable behavior.

**errica** · 05-30-2008, 04:15 PM

Have you tried making him sit, down, sit, down, over and over for a minute or two? It seems to break their focus on whatever they are doing wrong. We read that in a training book and our trainer reinforced it with us. We use that now whenever Athena is doing something we want her to stop doing. Usually works.

The other thing we use when she is outside and we are inside is a soda can, rinsed out and dried, with 10 or 20 pennies in it. It makes a horrendous racket and dogs really don't like it. So we will hear her barking, give a firm No!, and if that doesn't cut it follow up with a couple shakes of the can. That trained her pretty fast, I haven't pulled the can out in months!

**voodoolizard** · 05-30-2008, 04:21 PM

i have one barker and one who does not.. he whines a lot and that can send you insaine too !!

if missy barked.. we shouted "no bark" in a firm voice went to her made her sit.. when she was quite lots of praise..

it took a while but it now works if she barks i correct with no bark she scurries in cos she has been bad then goes out again and is quiet !!

i also found it helps to introduce them to the neighbours so they know who is the otherside of the fence.

good luck

DobeSpell · 05-30-2008, 04:40 PM

I'm against the electric collars.
Try it on yourself and you'll understand.

**errica** · 05-30-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DobeSpell

I'm against the electric collars.
Try it on yourself and you'll understand.

I did...that is why I use the can of pennies! I tried it on a low setting, then cranked it up and tried it. Then promptly returned it. I am sure my way is more work, but it's worth it to me!