Puppy Barking At People

[nadz]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on my mini dachshie puppy. He is 16 weeks old and for the past week or so, he has been barking at some people, loud sounds, some other dogs etc. I believe his barking is aggressive in nature as he'll throw in a few growls, wont wag his tail etc. He has met lots of people (over 100) and I thought all the experiences were positive ones, mostly pats and some food treats from the strangers. Other than the barking he seems happy and he responds to new things the same as he always has, a little bit fearful but mostly curious and by the end of the encounter he seems happy and confident. He doesn't bark at everyone, the people he does bark at seem to be equally male and female, no children so far. The people also don't seem to be acting any different to the others.

I am hoping that the barking is just a fear period thing and that he'll be happy again once he is a bit more confident? He has never been hugely excited about other people or dogs, but neutral and ok to be approached, sniffed and patted. At the moment I handle the situation by saying "NO" in a deep, strong voice and then act completely normal. If he continues to bark I'll pick him up and hold him facing the opposite direction. I have no idea what I should be doing though? I continue to socialise him and have been taking him to local cafes where he is quite happy to sit on my lap/by my feet while I have a coffee, and he gets approached by nearly every passer by (the curse of a cute puppy lol).

He goes to puppy pre-school once a week and I will be joining obedience club when he's old enough. He is fully vaccinated as of this week so I'll be able to take him to some more places. I'm thinking of starting the TOT with him too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Nekhbet]

could just be confusion, interest and some anxiety. 16 weeks is too young to be aggressive. Remember too Dachys are very vocal little dogs so dont take it as anything out of the ordinary.

If he barks, redirect his attention to you. Dont pick him up it does nothing to fix his behavior. Redirect through offering a treat, walk back a little and tug on the lead a few times etc then when he's quiet move off with him.

[nadz]

Thanks Nekhbet! That's good to hear. So it's nothing to be worried about as such?

So if I get his attention - make him sit - give him a treat, that should be ok? If he continues to bark and we have to be in the same room, do i just continue to make him sit and give him treats until he is happy to be quiet? Do you think it is something he will grow out of? I don't mind him being vocal as long as I can have some control over it haha!

[spottychick]

My theory, for what it's worth, is that if you sound aggressive (ie saying no in a deep strong voice or yelling/screaming at the dog as I've seen some people do) the puppy might interpret that as you also responding to a threat so it will encourage him to feel scared of people, noises etc.

My 8 year old adoptee barked at everything when he got here. My response was to try and make him feel things weren't a threat. I used a light happy voice and called him to me - if he came to me I'd give him pats and sometimes a treat and keep saying "see - it's all right. Nothing to worry about" etc. If he kept on barking I'd just put a lead on him (in the yard) and take him inside or away from the distraction and still use a happy voice "Let's go over here Tango!! Look what's this" What's this?" etc. If it happened on a walk I'd sometimes squat down near him, look where he is looking and say something like "What is it mate?? Oh nothing to worry about. Come on - lets go". It depended on what he was barking at. I don't want to discourage him guarding but I want him to listen to me and let me decide if something's a threat. Walking past fences with barking dogs rushing the fence on the other side - I'd just pick up the walking pace a little and distract him and not let him engage with the dogs.

In the first week I had him when we went for walks he used to bark at shadows on walls, murals, chimneys, horses, bright posters on walls, you name it. He doesn't now.

[nadz]

Thanks for your input spottychick! I tried to make my voice quite a neutral, deep voice because i was worried about encouraging the defensive behaviour as you said! but it makes sense that I should act like it's nothing and be happy but without babying him- I can tell he would just looovveee to be cuddled and spoken to like a baby in these situations lol!