westiemum Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Hi All, I'm currently house-sitting at friends while they are OS - and am incredibly grateful for their air-conditioning! As well as my three westies, I'm looking after two cats, a lovely 8 year old Dally and a 12 month old rescue Cav…. Its the Cav I'd love some advice on - I took him and the Dally for a walk to the park tonight, for the first time, which is about 100 metres, if that at the end of the street. The Dally was fine on and off lead - the Cav barked and barked - from the front door to the park and all the time we were in the park, and the barking escalated badly with other dogs in the distance. The moment we turned for home the barking stopped and he walked quietly home and hasn't barked since. He was on the lead the whole time. This is the first time I've tried to walk him - and not sure i can continue if I can't find someway of controlling his barking (Yes this is a problem for his owner too). Hes a lovely boy otherwise - but the barking (fear?) is a real problem. Advice please! TIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 It sounds like he is frightened - he may have been attacked on walks before? Poor boy, not sure how to help him - perhaps a snug t-shirt to assist with his anxiety and short walks gradually increasing in length, turning back when he begins to stress (not towards where other dogs are). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Has he a got a currency? treats, a favourite toy, etc? I'd be taking him out on the lead but just as far as he'll go without barking and reward, reward, reward and then gradually go further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Excitement/anticipation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 When Ingrid first joined us she didn't just bark when we walked she screamed I did get her out of it but it took a while and lots of patience. She was 18 months old. The moment she screamed we stopped. When she was quiet and calm we'd start again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Is it excitement or fear do you think? My foster Pug screams when we get close to my work because he is so excited lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trisven13 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 My daughter's cavalier has ALWAYS done this. For him it is simply excitement - if we could ever be stuffed to persevere he would get over it within about 30 minutes . He was so excited it had to come out somewhere. He is now 7 years old and still barks incessantly when he is really excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 When Ingrid first joined us she didn't just bark when we walked she screamed I did get her out of it but it took a while and lots of patience. She was 18 months old. The moment she screamed we stopped. When she was quiet and calm we'd start again. Miah is like that when we first start taking her anywhere, its embarrassing, but hers is from excitement. She does calm down. Hers is not barking but more high pitch girly squealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 You probably wont be but best not take the cav of lead if out and about as they don't have the best road sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 My Hamlet used to be a bit like that ... very noisy if there was something exciting in the offing ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Many of the ckcs I deal with for grooming arrive barking their lungs out in the car and walk up to the salon barking their heads off. They are usually quiet and settled throughout their visit and then vocalize their excitement when their owners return and I can hear them driving off barking their heads off! Certainly not all of them do it, and it's in varying degrees, but seems pretty common amongst the many I see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) They can be a vocal and excitable breed at your avatar skyefool, did you PS your dog's eyes ? Edited January 30, 2014 by Jules❤3Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemappelle Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 My Cav barks in what I thought I was an over-excited way when there is any chance their might be some food for her. She also does this when something new appears on a regular walk, however, when walking in a new area she doesn't. A vet visit showed me that this was, in fact, anxiety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks guys - does it make any difference to how I manage it if it's fear, excitement or anxiety? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemappelle Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 This is an interesting link I found. Hopefully someone that knows how to manage will be along to help you. :) http://www.doggonesafe.com/Signs_of_Anxiety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) Thanks to the DOL brains trust we are making progress. I've changed him to a shorter lead which seems to help. And tonight we got all the way to the park with barely a bark. If he barked we backtracked and I waited for him to settle and then continued. Different matter when he saw the standard poodles in the house next to the park - but I did what you suggested and reinforced quiet. And I think he'll get better at it. Thanks everyone - not only really pleased with him but really pleased with myself!! Edited February 4, 2014 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Well done :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Well done :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Well done :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Well done :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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