Dog behaviour

Re: Dog behaviour

loobylou — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:44:43 GMT

Thanks for the replies. I do think its territorial behavior and is most de$f visually stimulated.
Im going to look into some sun shades or a fabric crate and try that.
It is very difficult to praise him for good behaviour as usually its just me and him in the car.
He doesnt seem to do it as much if sitting in the footwell or back seat but he really doesnt enjoy travelling this way.
Seems a shame to crate him as he does enjoy watching out the window but it isnt getting better and he near frightens me to death when Im not expecting it

Re: Dog behaviour

Jenny T — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:08:09 GMT

Actually, I thought that was a brilliant response!

Wouldn't reach for the Aboistop until you have tried every other option first. They are a punishment training device and I think therefore they should be a last resort. Also, just because you may stop the barking behaviour it will not necessarily stop the damaging jumping and scratching. Furthermore, you may in fact lead him to re-direct the barking behaviour into attacking the inside of the car instead, causing even more damage.

Re: Dog behaviour

Louise B — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:39:27 GMT

Hi,

Depends on what is triggering the behaviour really. If he is territorially (or fear) barking then every time he barks at someone passing and they walk away he is getting a fantastic reward for barking so changing this will be difficult if you are not going to be present to intervene/set up mock training sessions, etc.

If he is primarily visually stimulated try putting up a sunshade(s) to stop him being able to look out of the boot or crate him and throw a sheet over most of the crate to reduce what he can see. If he's bored, try providing some stuff kongs, or similar, to occupy him in your absence. If he's nervous of people passing when on his own (I am guessing that's not the problem) try giving him a covered den (i.e. crate - fabric enclosed one?) so that he doesn't feel he's in a goldfish bowl and has some control over his environment (i.e. he can hide - which introduces an alternative to fighting off potential intruders with shows of aggression). Crating him in the car while you work out a suitable strategy will also keep the boyfriend happy as it is preventing the glass from being scratched!

If the behaviour occurs both when you are there and when you aren't then you are going to struggle to correct it using behavioural modifcation techniques that rely on you being present e.g. spray water when barks, praise/food reward when quiet, etc as, even if he learns to not bark when you are present, the behaviour will probably still carry on just the same when you aren't.

If you are confident that he is not barking because he is fearfully aroused, etc (which could then make his fear worse if you apply any kind of correction to his 'coping strategy') then you could try an aboistop and it might be your only way of providing some sort of environmental correction in your absence. You can hire them or buy them second hand if you do a google search. Avoid the static-correction collars which are touted as a more effective substitute - these are electric shock collars by another name.

Hope that helps. Jenny T's your woman though!

Re: Dog behaviour

loobylou — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:27:42 GMT

Anyone have any ideas?