[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by moondog

I do restrict access when I'm not home to manage the activity. Rather than using #2, however, I chose to use #3 and reinforce her "leave it" training, so I give her an alternative. Chili has been taught that "leave it" means "look in my eyes, it's gonna pay off, baby". When she barks at the window, from wherever I'm at in the house (upstairs, in the kitchen, watching TV - doesn't matter) I say "Chili, LEAVE it!" and what does she do? She instantly comes FLYING as fast as she can to me. I don't have to move a muscle. What do I do when she gets here? Why, I tell her how fantastic she is and I either offer a treat or engage her in a game of tug (which really helps diffuse all that excitement she built up by the visual out the window). I've given her an alternative way to USE HER ENERGY, and I've REWARDED her for using it in that way.

Call me crazy, but I'll choose a progressive, positive approach in every situation I can that actually teaches my dog ways to use what she's got over essentially telling her to "shut up" with an aversive like a spray bottle. And I've got quite a little spitfire here that's always willing to work for me!

It's probably what I would do knowing what I know now. I have a soft dog and my attempts at using a C-collar shut him down. (BAD ownner-hits self on head with a newspaper). He too is very responsive and has learned the "games" we play are way more fun than many things he enjoys doing.

The thing about aversives is that they are reinforcing to HUMANS. We spray the dog, the bahaviour stops so we feel good about it and can go back to watching TV, answering RDN posts etc. A lot of times those "short cuts" can come back to bit you in the a**. I have a friend that sprayed her barking dog in his crate...she had to carry a spray bottle with her everywhere and keep it in his sight. It wasn't practical so she's been working on alternative behaviour arouns other dogs in and out of the crate and it has taken some time but he is way more relaxed.