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Original poster

Help...dog barks at me for attention constantly

34 replies

simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 13:58

Please be gentle, first time poster...
I am having a really really hard time with my dog. We’ve had her for over ten years and she’s always been super hard work. However recently she has got much much worse. She constantly seeks attention - mostly from me, is pretty much fine with my partner.
When she isn’t being walked/played with/stroked/munching on a kong or something she just barks.
I have tried everything - more training - long walks on/off lead/ shorter walks/vets/dog behaviourist/better quality food/ ignoring her/putting her out the room.
Sometimes it’s worse than others. I work at home and she pretty much barks if I sit down.
She’s a cross Jack Russell/springer spaniel - is similar with my daughter but worst with me.

OP posts:
Ronnie27 · 14/10/2019 14:00

Watching with interest op. My dog is really needy too and sometimes barks but mainly just paws me for attention constantly when I sit down in the evening, she drives me nuts.

StressedOuta · 14/10/2019 14:04

I'm watching this one too.
Our OES is incredibly needy too, paws at us all the time and barks for attention most of the time. Also started getting quite aggressive for us to play ball with him.

Nothing seems to work. He's definitely worse of a night.
Hopefully someone may have some suggestions!

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 14:09

Weird we’ve all got similar problems - we tried all sorts like time out and a scented anti bark colour plus lavender calm stuff. My god is worse during the day when it’s just me - better at night but so horrible to live with. I am also really worried about upsetting our nice neighbours (who I keep updated on things I have tried and so on).

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Dogs
spiderlight · 14/10/2019 15:15

What did your vet say? It might be age-related, in which case a supplement like Aktivait or Vivitonin could help. If her eyesight is failing, for example, that could make her very anxious. Please don't use an anti-bark collar - they are very aversive (studies have shown that the citronella ones are more aversive to dogs than electric shock collars) and will only add to her anxiety and set up a vicious circle.

NoSquirrels · 14/10/2019 15:19

What did the behaviourist advise, OP? And have you seen the vet?

NoSquirrels · 14/10/2019 15:21

Have you tried teaching “speak” as a command? The theory is that if you train them to bark on command they will eventually not bark as much.

You also need to train “calm” i.e. reward-based training for quietness /calmness.

Fatshedra · 14/10/2019 15:31

Do you make eye contact but DH doesn't... just wondering why she barks at you and DF but not DH.

Monsterdogs · 14/10/2019 15:35

Find out what her triggers are. Film her behaviour and watch back and take notes on whats happened just before she starts to bark. Look at your own behaviour and her behaviour and see if you can identify the things which cause her to bark. For example, you sitting down might be in the lead up to her starting to bark. Then whenever these things occur (eg you sit down) make that the time you give her a favourite chew. She can't bark when she is chewing. With you repeatedly sitting down and giving her a chew, the barking should lessen poo ver time. Good luck. It can be a tricky problem to solve. Look into accredited and qualified positive reinforcement based trainers in your area. Many good ones you can claim through your insurance

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 15:37

Hi all
The vet has done lots of tests - all came up fine. He agreed that a behaviourist was those next step.
Behaviourist recommended sensible things like more stimulation - varied walks, keep training, feed good diet. We’ve done all of these - and she’s no better behaved. I contacted the behaviourist again, several times saying nothing has worked and he ignored me,
Definitely think that although our dog is highly strung, she is much worse with me. Which is really upsetting. And her bark is so loud.
Guessing some of it must be anxiety as she does calm down when on the lead. Also much better when whole family is in.
Will try the diffuser - thanks. Behaviourist man said not to bother as it wouldn’t ‘touch the edges’ with her. But, hey definitely worth a go.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 14/10/2019 15:38

StressedOuta , remove all balls from the house at all times and only allow them on walks and if you are physically playing with the dog in the garden . Our patterdale x is ball obsessed and this has worked for us , before we banned balls he was constantly dropping them at your feet and barking for people to play .

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 15:39

And yes tried chews, calm training, speak training. She just ignores it - well, eats the treat/chew/kong whatever and goes back to barking.
Not sure about eye contact - yes, actually videoing it sounds like a plan. And checking what DH does that is different,

OP posts:
DeborahAnnabelToo · 14/10/2019 15:40

What about a Thundershirt? They are supposedly good for anxious dogs - it's a sort of coat they wear which almost mimics them being held, supposedly comforting.

NoSquirrels · 14/10/2019 15:44

Your behaviourist sounds rubbish. Try another one! Can you get a local recommendation? You could name change and ask for your specific area on a new thread?

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 15:54

StressedOuta
We have same issues with balls, she is only allowed them during games/on a walk now. Difficult as she loves them so much, but too much. She even got in to the habit of barking for a ball at the start of the walk when my DP started to take one on every off lead walk. (Had to stop him but he didn’t ‘get it’.

OP posts:
Gingaaarghpussy · 14/10/2019 16:42

Gosh, I feel so lucky now. My dog used to randomly come in my room whinge a couple of times and wander off, then do the same 30 mins later. It was extremely annoying at o dark thirty. He started doing this when he was 18.
I'm sorry that is no help, I'm just grateful that, although whinging is annoying its definitely not as bad as constant barking.
Although when he was younger and not as deaf, he used to bark every time someone knocked on my door. The only way I could stop it, if it was family or friends was to ask them to ring as they got to the door.

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 16:58

Yes, behaviourist was rubbish. Hence reluctant to try again, but guessing will have to.
And yes, have never had such a ‘hard work’ dog and suspect never will. We got her as a rescue dog at four months old and can’t help wondering if she had been separated too early from her mum.
Quite honestly feel at end of my tether with it all most days. If she wasnt so loving (and calm in the evenings) not sure I would manage at all.

OP posts:
Monsterdogs · 14/10/2019 17:00

Sorry, I was not clear on last post. Give her a chew when you find out what causes her to bark. Watching back videos will help you identify what these things are hopefully. And there might be quite a few causes! Then give her something she will enjoy and focus on BEFORE she starts to bark. Cow ears, toilet paper to shred, etc works for my dog. But you need to find out what will work for yours.
Once she is barking it is too late. Just walk away from her until she stops barking if/when she does. Only give her attention, or whatever she wants the instant (like 1 second after) she stops barking. You will gradually come to have more control over the barking. I hope what I said has made sense?

ThisIsNotAIBUPeople · 14/10/2019 17:11

I have found the Facebook group Dog Training and Advice to be really helpful with all sorts of issues, they have a Unit about barking and they will answer individual questions too.

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 17:17

Monster dogs - sorry, yes, didn’t get it first time. I see what you mean. Definitely going to try video her and see if anything in particular.
Sadly the walking away from her barking doesn’t work - the rubbish behaviourist said that she gets a ‘reward’ from the barking itself so doesn’t actually stop (unless she gets another positive reward like a stroke. Literally just keeps barking if we ignore her - even for hour or more.
And ThisIsNotAIBUPeople - looking that up.

OP posts:
FleasAndKeef · 14/10/2019 17:19

If you are keen to try a behaviourist again, definitely look for one with APBC or IMDT qualifications. Anyone out there can call themselves a "behaviourist" as the industry is currently unregulated! The Facebook group mentioned above can help you find a good one too Smile

NoSquirrels · 14/10/2019 17:21

If you give her a command when she barks - sit, down, beg, whatever - does that halt it?

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 17:25

NoSquirrels - no not really, sometimes if I catch the bark ‘early’ it might, (for example, I have taught her to get a toy to show guests rather than barking or jumping up on them) but mostly no, ‘come here’ might work if she knows I am going to stroke her.

OP posts:
Monsterdogs · 14/10/2019 17:27

The Facebook group do no harm dog training is also packed full of advice.

Original poster
simpsons1 · 14/10/2019 17:32

Thanks all, have ordered a diffuser, going to video dog and me tomorrow and have requested to join Fb group.

OP posts: