How Do I Get My 4 Year Old Havanese To Stop Barking At Every Dog He Sees?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
My Havanese is 4 years old. I have had him since he was 3 months old. He is usually rather quiet in the house but when we go out on the street he barks at every dog he sees. He attended a begginer puppy course when he was little and we attented as well a private training course. We have tried everything from a muzzle, harness and even trying to distract him but nothing seems to work. Please help
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Barking is just something dogs do, like people talking. As well as they are very territorial. When a dog sees others on “his lawn”, he feels the need and instinct to protect the territory.
Have you tried slight disipline? Some people think its mean, but a small peck on the nose could get him too stop, however its not full proof.
I hope everything works out.
When your dog barks, back away from him and then call him to you. When he comes to you and isn’t barking, treat him. Soon he will realize that he’s being treated for not barking. For some dogs, shaking an empty soda can with a few coins in it will work wonder to stop barking. But maybe it won’t work with your dog because you said that distracting him isn’t working. Put yourself between your dog and the other dog; when you have your dogs attention, tell the dog to sit, lie down, or stay with a million treats. This should stimulate his mind. Also, keep the leash loose on walks because a tight leash increases a dog’s defensive response.
if i was u go to the vet and ask the Questions that will tell u the true
Our 4 year old Hav loves to bark at other dogs too. This is what has helped and you have to be extremely consistent or it won’t work.
First, we bring a small water gun with us on walks and fill it up. When he would bark, we would tell him in a very stern voice to “leave it”, give a quick tug on his collar and then two quick sprays in the face with the water gun. You can use a spray bottle too. If he responded well, we would give him cheese. We did this for about a week and the barking lessened.
The second week we would take him out and make a point of walking around other dogs. If he barked, we would firmly tell him to “leave it” give him a quick tug on his collar and just threaten him with the water gun. He would stop instantly. As we kept walking around other dogs, if he didn’t bark, we would reward him with cheese and tell him good boy for not barking, etc.
Now all we have to do is tell him to “leave it” if he seems like he’s going to bark. We still reward him on a regular basis for not barking.
Consistency is the key in the training phase. You can’t do it one day and skip the next, otherwise it’s confusing to your dog. Let him know what you want from him all the time.
Hope it gets better!