Improving Recall And Reducing Barking

[sparrows]

We are having some problems with our recall of our (14 months) German Shepherd, when she is focused intently on something else.

Our backyard backs on to a park, which is mostly used as a thoroughfare to get to the main walking track. It is not super busy, but quite a few people and their dogs use it in the mornings and afternoons. There is a six foot + timber slat fence enclosing our backyard. So she can see through the cracks.

There are actually two main situations, but both result in the same thing - she will not recall when she is in this state.

1. She will bark at dogs who are being walked past, for the duration of them passing. If they stay in the vicinity - especially if playing ball etc. she will continue to bark and bark. It's not an aggressive bark but more of a jealous one. She won't bark if it's just people - or maybe just a little one.

2. There is a little shih-tzu type dog in the first house on the other side of the block, which also adjoins the park. This dog gets out of its yard...a lot... and the first thing it does is come running to our back fence, barking it's head off. They proceed to run up and down the back fence barking over and over at each other. Often, it is this dog's high pitched barking at other passing dogs that alerts our GSD to them, thus encouraging her to go down and bark too. She doesn't tend to react to other the dogs in the area barking (including a very woofy golden retriever next door)

Since we can't control the other dog, nor stop other people and their dogs walking past, how to we encourage our girl that she doesn't need to bark or at least not as long as she does? She was doing ok with her recall, we'd call her upstairs when she was barking at the passers-by and reward her when she came. But with the escapee, she would not respond to anything, she is so focused. She is now extending that to the passers-by.

We also have a sheltie who does not participate in these shenanigans (at least whilst we're home).

We're only relatively new to the area and DH feels that we are becoming the ferals of the neighbourhood (having moved to a 'nicer' area from our previous 'going downhill fast' suburb) and is very embarrassed that we cannot control our dog. Other than not being able to break her focus at our back fence, she is a very well behaved girl and will follow a lot of commands. I had read the NILIF & TOT threads some time ago, and thought I had been employing those practices, but upon re-reading, I probably haven't really been following those instructions 100%. I would hazard a guess that by following those guidelines strictly, that may assist?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Erny]

Barking is a symptom of numerous possible causes, including (but not limited to) territorial instinct; fear; boredom; self-reinforcement, to name a few.

As to what to do will depend on the cause for the behaviour.

IMO it is far better to engage a trainer/behaviourist to come out to observe and who then as a result of his/her conclusions can give you a plan to follow and work to reduce the behaviour. It also helps greatly as the behaviourist will have an idea of the 'lay of the land' and can help with some suggestions on perhaps altering your fence (eg. covering in gaps; erecting temporary barrier) on a temporary basis whilst the behaviour modification techniques are in progress.

[sparrows]

Ta Erny,

We are planning to have someone from our dog school come out to have a look at the situation too. Just hoping for any immediate suggestions on what we can do in the interim.

I personally don't feel that it is an aggressive thing, more so a jealous/wanting to play type issue.

My main concern is her lack of recall when in this heightened state of arousal. How do we 'snap' her back to us as our main focus?

[Erny]

There are a variety of things that can be done - but as I mention, what is the right way for your dog depends on the dog itself. "Noise therapy" is one way ..... but for example, if your dog is very skittish/nervy, this might not be the best method. And it's not necessarily about doing ONE thing - teaching incompatible behaviour in addition to the application of (eg) noise therapy (which is just a fancy name for "startling/distracting") is often beneficial.

Your trainer, who I expect has experience and knowledge in dealing with these sorts of issues will be the best one to assess and advise.

I presume he/she is coming out to you reasonably soon?