Help with dogs overexcited barking

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Tricky to explain but my little dog has got into a bad habit of barking when restrained from going up to people he “knows”.

For example - he “knows my neighbours would usually give him a fuss”. I’m maybe walking him on lead and he’ll sort of scoot towards them and start barking.

Or - someone stops and strokes him while on a walk on lead. As I pull him away he starts barking at said person to carry on.

It’s not in any way aggressive- it’s more he can’t have what he wants (e.g his being fussed over is taken away from him).

I’m not sure if the best way to tackle this really, so any ideas of how to train him out of it would be fab. Not sure how he’s picked it up really as he doesn’t really bark for what he wants in any other situations

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Anyone?

[adaline]

Following! We have the same issue and it can be so embarrassing!

[Scentsandsensible]

@adaline it is embarrassing- and I feel bad for him as all he really wants is someone to fuss over him, but obviously no one wants a dog barking at them!

[Scentsandsensible]

@adalineOut of interest what breed is yours?

[Jouska]

There could be many reasons for the barking but to start with I would increase distance when he barks.


If you can teach a "lets go" which basically means a turn in direction. Practice this at home and as your turn put a treat near his nose and change direction treat as you have walked away.

Initially this will just be distraction but it should break the habit of the barking. If he pulls to go towards you neighbours lets go and only proceed to them if he is not barking. This may mean several turn arounds before you approach people


Or get in touch with a trainer for a 121 who can see the situation in rl

[adaline]

@Scentsandsensible he's a beagle so they're vocal anyway but his bark is so loud which makes it even worse

He's just an excited barker - he does it when he sees people he knows and can't get to (like we went to see my mum yesterday and as soon as he saw her from the car he started barking like a loon!)

I think it's part excitement and part frustration that he can't just go over and do what he wants. He's calming down a bit now he's older and mostly he's okay, but he still gets really excited sometimes and it's so loud!

[ThisIsMyBuick]

Mine does this in the car as well as when people come to the house. She knows she's going on a walk when she gets in the car and barks with (I think) excitement for the first three minutes.

When people she likes come to the house she almost passes out from excitement.

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

@adaline yep sounds exactly my dog - he barks his head off of my mum and dad when he spies them (am quite sure he likes my dad more than me )