Tag: Barking

Using a spy camera on your dog


Have you ever wondered what your dog does when you are not home? Getting a camera system is a great way to monitor your dogs activities.

If your dog barks: the camera can detect when they are barking, for what reason and for how long! This can be extremely helpful in apartments or homes where people are having barking problems.

There are many different types of barking and solving barking problems really involves knowing why your dog barks. If it is because of boredom or maybe fear or even outside noises and distractions. Seeing your dog react to stimuli is the best way to solve a barking dog problem.

There our cameras out there that are not very expensive ( ie dropcam) and can really help with your behavioral problems.

It’s actually really fun to observe them and for a trainer to see a dogs behavior live on camera is a sure fire way they can modify or correct your dogs undesired behavior.

So set up your cameras and let the fun begin! You may be shocked at what you see!!

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Dog barks at the door when people come over


When your dog barks at the door or runs around your house when the door bell rings you need to get your dogs focus off those distractions!

How to fix it:

Grab a place mat. Place it 15 feet from your door and ask your dog to sit on it. This is now your dogs go to spot.

Ask your dog to his spot and say stay. Walk to your door and return if your dog stayed on their spot, reinforce them. Do this again to make sure your dogs “stay” command is strong. ( door then back to dog). Now again go to door but touch the handle and wiggle it. If your dog stays, reinforce. Remember your dogs attention span maybe short if your dog gets up and walks away. Don’t chase after them ( ignore the undesired behaviors always) , wait till they return .

Now we will start opening the door open and shut. Make sure the door way is clear so the dog sees no one at the door. If your dog is still sitting reinforce them.

Now the tough spot. Have someone ring the doorbell but not stand in the doorway. The dog will bark most likely ( or even break the stay), just wait till your dog stops the undesired behavior and comes back to control in their place. Reinforce the calm sit position and try again . Do this until your dog is staying on their spot . Reinforce them if they are staying on the mat.

Once you get here now add the person to the door . The person should only move if you tell them to. If your dog is off their spot heading towards the door ask the person to step back outside . Do this again and again reinforcing good behavior .

You get see results with this positive reinforcement technique in a day . But remember when doing training sessions with your dog you need to let them know when they leave the train . Use a word like “ok” or “done” to let your dog know he can either 1) greet the guest or 2) walk around the house.

I also use hand gestures as well so try to say “done” or “ok” and do a quick clap . Now your dogs knows to break the stay position and carry on with their day.

Jumping and barking can be a frustrating behavior but with this technique your dog will know that door bell ringing means sit on mat not jump on guests .

Happy training

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Dog whines or barks in the elevator


If your dog is whining or barking in an elevator. You need to desensitize him to it. This doesn’t mean use the elevator more and more however. When you are entering into the elevator ( you know the dog is going to be uncomfortable) so bring treats with you and set your dog up for success. When you enter the elevator before the dog whines reinforce with a treat. Then ask for the basics sit or down and reinforce them if they do it. By the time the doors open your dog will have been reinforced several times in the elevator. Do this every time you go into the elevator!!! No skipping. If you can monitor your dogs progress and maintain this training, your dog will start running into the elevator because it is so reinforcing!

Like always small simple steps and obedience is the key. If they are focusing on you other distractions,no matter how uncomfortable, will slowly diminish.

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Funny training story


Training is not always smooth sailing. Events in an animals life can resurface at peculiar times.

The training experience began with a dog that barked when left alone. The owner just moved to a new condo located on a busy corridor by the lobby. They wanted the dogs separation anxiety to be extinguished so when they leave the don’t annoy the neighbors, so training ensued and the barking was minimized significantly however a behavior from the past resurfaced. 4 months prior we had captured a vocal behavior that was so cute. The dog was taught to meow on command and it was a behavior they found very desirable.
The once desired behavior is all the non barking dog could do. So instead of barking the dog was meowing to release his discomfort of being alone .
Even though the family and friends found this hilarious, it made me realize that even if you train the dog not to bark, does that mean they are truly comfortable? From this session I am beginning to think that might not be the case!

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Barking part 2


I say this everyday but set your dog up for success. Barking is no exception!! Here are some key tips to eliminating barking.

Limit space:

If your dog is already crate trained that’s perfect but if not allowing your dog access to loud hallway noise, neighbors chatting and moving trucks , it’s best for them not to be waiting at the door for noises.

Sound:

Leave your tv on or the radio . This works two ways. It really drowns out the noise from outside and incase your dog happens to bark or whine it drowns them out as well.

Windows:

Windows can be a huge barking problem. Eliminate the temptation by putting up the curtains. Until you have a trainer come in help slowly adjusting your dog to ignoring objects outside. The windows have to covered. ( this is a whole other topic).

Toys:

So important! Make the home exciting and stimulating.

Remember you can not expect results if you don’t set yourself and your dog up for success.

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