Still barking at passer-by's- need help

[Rachel27]

I posted several months ago regarding our year old female rottie barking visciously at people who walk down our street and scaring the %$@# out of them. Strangely enough though, she does not EVER bark at children that walk down the street or on their bikes. I'm assuming that she is protecting us and her territory by barking at these "strangers". Roxie would never in a million years hurt a soul. She is the kindest, sweetest, gentlest dog, but most people see a rottie and think the dog is viscious and going to attack them. I should add, she can't reach the people as she has an invisible fence. (Which she has crossed one time when we first got it and will never do it again). Several times I've been out when she decides to start barking at people, and if they are friendly, I'll ask if they will come over and see the dog because she will not bark at them anymore if she knows them. I find that odd too, but as soon as she meets someone who walks down the road daily, she never barks at them again either.

The other day however, we had (in my opinion) a very rude older couple walk down the street. Of course Roxie barked at them. They proceeded to yell at my husband and I for having a viscious dog barking and running everytime they walk down the road. I tried to tell them, she can't get to you and please come over and meet her. They refused and informed me that they would notify the police as "they have a right to walk down the street". My reply to them was, "this is our property, our dog and she has the right to bark at whoever she wants.".

Sorry so long winded. My husband is suggesting a remote shocker for her, but I refuse to do that because she will have no idea why she is being shocked, as barking is a natural thing. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks

[godfreyc]

I have to say if you've got invisible fence I would be a little nervous too. The other thing is the IF doesn't let people know where the limits are and I could easily end up on the wrong side of it and be in trouble. To me a physical fence, especially in a high traffic area is the only way to go. Plus my dogs do it and it will be hard to stop because in the dogs mind they've accomplished something because the people leave. Just MHO Good Luck.

[K-9Cop]

I have no idea what the response or suggestions from your last post was....or what you have already tried with Roxie concerning her barking...may I suggest:

If Roxie alerts you to an "intruder" by barking, you need to find a signal that after one or two barks her job is done and now you'll take control. Most people don't realize but when a dog barks at a passer-by they are rewarded by that person leaving the area. (ie. Dogs think: hmmm I'm good. My barking made that person leave:) I personally use the command "Enough".....Yelling the word No, or yelling any other word for that matter...makes it sound like we are joining in with her barking.

You need to set up a situation where you can teach her "Enough". Perhaps have someone come up to your house (while she is inside) and knock on the door....after one or two barks, make a sound or distract her in some way so that her attention is now on you. If she stops barking, IMMEDIATELY say "Enough" and reward her with either praise or treat. If she does not stop barking put that treat right in front of her nose, wait till she stops barking even for a second or two then say "Enough", wait a few more seconds and if she stays queit, give her the treat. Remember the timing of "Enough" is Very Important. Make sure you tell her "Enough" only when she's quiet. In time she will associate "Enough" with being quiet, thus it can be used as a command to stop barking.

Remember patience....she's been displaying this behavior for some time and it will take awhile to correct it.

Have you ever noticed that most dogs don't bark when laying down?

Hope this helps some.....best wishes to you and Roxie

[WorkinDogz]

Well my first suggestion is to lose the idea that your dog "would never in a million years hurt a soul".

EVERY dog will bite given the perfect circumstances/stimuli. Whether or not you like that idea; it's a fact.

Secondly; yes, your dog has a right to bark at whomever they want to-----UNTIL they are told to knock it off by YOU. If the dog continues the behavior; then it's a lack of training.

The "out" command can be universal. It means "release". Period. Release what you have in your mouth...or stop barking. Doesn't matter.

You failed to mention if your dog has a firm grasp of obedience. Not "sometimes"....all the time. When you say "Sit"...what's the percentage of times the dog will comply??? At just over a year old; I sure would hope that it's a VERY high percentage of on-command compliance with the other percentage REINFORCED by a firm CORRECTION by you.

Territorial aggression in and of itself is not a big deal to me.....EXCEPT when the owner can't TURN THE DOG OFF. Then I would look at you like you're an irresponsible owner harboring a nasty dog WITHOUT a REAL FENCE too!!! Put yourself in the passers-by place!!!

Invisible fencing ----- big deal.

My suggestion is (this is of course if the dog is conditioned to know the "out" command and the "sit")

When the dog is firing off; give her the "out" command followed by a "Sit". When she doesn't respond.....you have to be there 100% of the time to reinforce it. The correction would be "NO! OUT SIT" (verbally) and YES I most certainly would involve a physical correction with that.

NO DOG should be permitted to bark while on any command. That's a correctable offense and should be reinforced with a "NO (followed by whatever command they were given)"

This age is when it's CRITICAL to continue industrial strength obedience training. I sure would get myself into a class and work every single day on the basic commands.

[lblax]

[
QUOTE]by workindogz Invisible fencing ----- big deal. [/quote]

so true we have a coonhound down the street that runs through his daily just for me to pet him and they arew not known for there hardness and they have a very high quality professionally installed fence!!

When the dog is firing off; give her the "out" command followed by a "Sit". When she doesn't respond.....you have to be there 100% of the time to reinforce it. The correction would be "NO! OUT SIT" (verbally) and YES I most certainly would involve a physical correction with that.

follow working dogs advice here but i would add like i did a 40 foot long line that way you you can correct him if he doesnt follow your verbal commasnd ( if ya dont already have some physical control like a long line on him you probably wont be able to catch him to correct him and chasin him would probably be fun for him) if possible do like we did , i installed a 6ft chain link on the roadside and side of my property which makes passerbys and me feel alot safer!!then i took several days out in the yard with him on his long lead to teach the enough command

[Judi W]

"barking visciously at people who walk down our street and scaring the %$@# out of them. "

Well, it would scare the **** out of me too when the dog had no physical fencing. The truth is, people should be able to walk in a public area without feeling that they are endangered and they should not be required to go pet your dog for the priviledge. Do I want to go pet a dog that gives all those signals based solely on the owner's assurances that the dog will not bite? Nope, I don't. Why should you expect people who might not even like dogs to do so and be willing to take your word that it is safe? This is not being a good neighbor nor does it help the breed's reputation. ....." most people see a rottie and think the dog is viscious and going to attack them. " ...... No, it is when most people see a Rottie acting as yours does that they think it is viscious and going to attack them, and with good and valid reason.

Why do you not confine the dog to the BACK of your property where there is more privacy from the street? Is it perhaps that you like this activity and consider it guarding the home?

[Rachel27]

Thank you everyone for your advice. First of all, Roxie isn't an outside dog. She only goes out for very short periods of time to go to the bathroom. Secondly, she has had obedience training and will listen to all commands and behave with the exception of the barking. I will definately take the advice of the people who posted and work withher.

Some of the posters made me feel like I am an irresponsible dog owner. I most certainly am not. I posted this same question twice now so I can get the help/advice it takes to correct this situation. It is now working when in the house due to the advice I've gotten on here, I just wanted to follow up further and teach her to stop barking outside too. This dog has been through a lot of training and is very obedient. I realize it scares people when she barks, but we live on a remote road, not many cars go by and I wanted to give her a lot of room in the yard so we put invisible fencing in the front and the back. I realize that people should be able to walk in a public area without fear, but my dog also has the right to be in my yard on my property. She has the right to bark as well. I wonder if it were a poodle barking if you'd make the same statements to me.

Thanks Workingdogz, I always respect your advice and have been able to teach Roxie a lot from your advice. I asked you before where you lived because I would have loved to hire you as her obedience trainer. Unfortunately you lived too far away, but your suggestions really help. Thanks again!!

[godfreyc]

I hear what you're saying about the poodle and sorry that you feel we were not supportive, but I have to tell you, I'm much more willing to take on a poodle than a rottie. Plus a lot of big dogs will take the shock from invisifence to get the reward of being out of the fence. I hope that you find a solution.

[Akita&Dal]

My Dal had a similar barking problem -- I lived in town on a busy street. Flag would sit at the window & bark like mad at anyone who went by either on foot or in a truck.

I used the 'enough' command after 1-2 barks. If he didn't stop, I would call him to me with a 'Flag come, Flag stay.' Since this meant he couldn't hang out at his favorite window seat (and therefore was missing all the action out on the street), he learned pretty darned quickly to stop barking.