First Obedience Class - Wouldn't Stop Barking!

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Lots of people at my dog club admire my dog for her nice calm sits next to me - while their dogs are boucing around like yoyos on bungee cords... Which is what my dog was like when I started... five years on, we have calm mostly. Until she sees her favourite friends and then I have some work to do.

You will get what you want with time, no need to be embarrassed.

Sometimes it's good to ignore the naughty behaviour within limits - ie barking is its own fun so if you ignore it, it may still get worse.

Things I'd try - starting at home, inside where it's easy, going outside where there are more distractions, and then going where there are other dogs but you can stay far enough away your dog can still pay attention (under the excitement threshold). 30 mins before dog class is good for this.

I'd do the attention task the others have suggested. I'd also pair saying your dog's name with a treat and "yes" and "good dog" with a treat. Count to three, and allow your dog's attention to wander (if it wants) between repeats of each / any task. Do 3 to 5 repeats each time and then play with your dog and work on something else.

I'd also do lots of collar grab - you grab your dog's collar and give the dog a treat. Start off gently and build up to slightly rougher grabs (imagine an emergency) and build your dog's comfort and warm fuzzies in connection with this treatment.

And - my dog gets very loud at dinner time and quite likes a chat... I taught her to bark on command ie she barks - I say "yes" and I treat, repeat (count to three between) five times - then start adding a signal like talking hand or "speak" and repeat some more.

Start rewarding the pre bark, ie dog starts to croak and I say "yes" and hand over the threat. So pretty soon I ask her to bark and the yelling becomes a croak because she knows that's all she has to do for the treat. And then you can work on "quiet".

Timing of your yes and treat for this has to be good, and once your dog works out the game - only reward barking when you've asked him to. If the barking gets out of control - pack the treats up and ignore your dog for a bit (don't talk to him, don't look at him, turn your back on him and even go into another room and shut the door between you (if you trust him not to do something destructive). You only need to do this until the behaviour you don't want - stops.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Mrs Rusty Bucket

[sheena]

If it were me, I'd be working stopping his barking before I attended another group lesson, as it is not fair on all the other handlers & their dogs. Lot's of good ideas on here from DOL's or even ask the instructors at your club for some things to work on at home in a not so distracting environment, getting him to focus on you, then gradually introduce distractions...dogs at a distance etc etc. There is a very good DVD/book available called "controlled Unleashed..The Puppy Program" by Leslie McDevitt. Also available in EPUB & Kindle Format from Clean Run. Clean Run

[Brandiandwe]

I still have that dog! She's great but high prey, dominant and reactive. I felt awful nit, an instructor told me that the class was where she was supposed to be naughty! And it did get better!

[Ryami]

I had the same experience with my Silky Terrier x many years ago! First class and barked the whole time. The instructor kept telling me to make him be quiet, but I didn't have a clue how to do that! He quickly improved over time though, I think it was just the excitement of the first class. It was the first time he had been in a big group of dogs. My fault as I didn't socialise him properly as a pup, I didn't know then what I know now! Persevere with class, it gets better.

[Dogsfevr]

When your out & pups behaves badly what do you do.

Pick up pup.lean down to pup ??

I have been in classes with dogs like yours & its hard for everyone ,one was so bad that us as a class ended up asking if it could be moved becuase you couldn't hear anything & it became the hr from hell .

The dog/handler needed more direction than given.

Personally i would find an area that is active but away like others have said & take a chair & sit there calmly whilst life goes past .

I would even do this at training ,go a tad earlier & sit calmly & when the dog feels relaxed join the class.if over the top i would walk out for a time out but making sure your working the dog at this time on focusing & not encouraging crazy .

Above all ask before you next class for assistance .tell them the issue you had last week & the fact your not sure how to manage it & that you feel for the others in your class

[Steph M]

I have been in classes with dogs like yours & its hard for everyone ,one was so bad that us as a class ended up asking if it could be moved becuase you couldn't hear anything & it became the hr from hell .

The dog/handler needed more direction than given.

I would say that comes more down to the class than the dog. People come to training for issues just like this?

Seems that if the trainer can't handle the dog they need to suggest other options rather than just letting it happen and disrupt the class.

Having said that IME it seems to be fairly normal puppy behavior. Things are still new and exciting and that's how they express that excitement or frustration when they haven't yet been shown another way to behave in class.

[Puppynovice]

Just an update. Three weeks down the track and he's still the noisiest dog in class but he has improved tremendously from week one. He still goes nuts from the moment he leaves the car, barking in anticipation of what's to come. He listens to my instructions and does the exercises most of the time except the last 20 minutes or so when he starts to get tired and lose interest. In between exercises he is still barking at the other dogs but nowhere near as much as before.

[Diva]

That sounds like good progress, as long as he continues to improve it sounds like you are on the right track. The losing interest at the end isn't unreasonable, an hour is a long time for a puppy to concentrate. You might want to think about giving him a little break half way through if the instructor is OK with it.

[Tassie]

That sounds like good progress, as long as he continues to improve it sounds like you are on the right track. The losing interest at the end isn't unreasonable, an hour is a long time for a puppy to concentrate. You might want to think about giving him a little break half way through if the instructor is OK with it.

Snap - was thinking te same thing. Take him for a walk off to another area to have a pee and let his brain settle. Your instructor shouldn't mind, especially if you mention before hand that you plan to do this. I used to do it with my BC boy- not because he was barking, but just to freshen him (and me) up again.

Sounds like you're doing really well. Thanks for the update. :D I think I'd be working a bit on the getting to class thins - go a bit earlier so you have time to work on settling him down before he gets to class. Turn back towards the car if you have to, then reward him for settling down a bit, and maybe attention to you, then head back towards the class area - rinse and repeaat. Also, you can just hang out with him a bit and watch with him what's going on on the ground.

[Staffyluv]

Just an update. Three weeks down the track and he's still the noisiest dog in class but he has improved tremendously from week one. He still goes nuts from the moment he leaves the car, barking in anticipation of what's to come. He listens to my instructions and does the exercises most of the time except the last 20 minutes or so when he starts to get tired and lose interest. In between exercises he is still barking at the other dogs but nowhere near as much as before.

That is great - don't give up, it will work - eventually..

If he loses interest, cut the class short and leave - always leave on a high note.. I used to make this mistake with Zig all the time - thinking that longer training was better, it isn't. The more fun it is, the more they want to do it, the more they pay you attention waiting for what is coming next.

Walk him out of the group when he barks (he wants to be in the group) and when he is quiet, start walking back towards the group. If he starts to bark again, walk away. He will pick up that if he wants to be there, he needs to be quiet. This takes time, time and more time and loads of walking in and out of the group..

Distraction is another thing that will work in your favour. Use your cue word to get his attention (mine is ready) and shove a treat when he sits to look at you.

Teach him some static work, so you can do that while listening in class when they are not doing anything.. (Ask your instructor or look it up on the net - static work keeps them busy and quiet on the spot). So you will be in the group, listening but working (and he will be quiet)..

[Daisy.Tea]

That's such great news. I often leave classes part way give the dog a run or a play and then go back to class just to break it up. I always explain at the start so there isn't an assumption I'm being rude.