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Original poster

Bloody dog...

21 replies

ErikaMaye · 14/09/2009 12:20

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to stop the dog barking at the TV? Its the DirectLine and Churchill adverts - I am being totally serious, though can see why this might provoke the reaction of troll

Know it must sound rediculous, but its driving me bonkers. Doesn't seem to bother my family so much, but I'm the ones that's here all day by myself with him, slowly loosing my mind.

He's a rescue dog, just coming up to three by what the RSPCA know, and we've had him for about nine months now. Generally he's a very good dog, but he empties the bin, and barks at the advers. He knows its the TV, because he stands there, looking at the screen, and barking

Have tried putting it on mute / changing the channel when it comes on, but by then he's heard the first part of the tune, and he'll bark for the best part of a minute.

Any suggestions greatly appriciated!

OP posts:

throckenholt · 14/09/2009 12:22

you can make a rattle with a bottle and some pebbles - shake it every time he barks - it will distract him and hopefully he will learn to do it. Try not to let him see you shake the bottle.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 14/09/2009 12:42

Hiya, we did try that, and squirting him with water, which the RSPCA suggested, and both helped temporarily. Now he does it anyway!!

OP posts:

1MitchellMum · 14/09/2009 13:13

Don't watch TV during the day!

minimu · 14/09/2009 13:13

The minute he barks quietly take him out of the room and let him in when he is quiet. You will have to do this loads and loads of times to start with. Be prepared to get exhausted!!! But it will work.

Other way is to distract him when the adverts come on with treats. ONLY when he is not barking give him a treat. If he barks remove him from the room.

Do be prepared for it to get worse before it gets better as he will try hard to keep the old behaviours it is vital at this point to carry on as you have nearly cracked it! honest.

The only trouble with the rattle bottle and water in this case is that he is already in an excited state and squirting water or making a noise just increased his excitement.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 14/09/2009 16:31

I'm physically disabled and 31 weeks pregnant, I don't really have much else to do during the day...

I'll try that, minimu thank you

OP posts:

MitchyInge · 14/09/2009 16:37

OR go the other way around and reward him for barking, add a 'speak' (or 'guard' or 'bark') command and repeat the rewards until he is reliably barking on command with or without the cue from the tv, then teach a 'shut it' command so you have much more control over his barking in all situations.

It can take a while but it's a v handy command for your dog to know.

minimu · 14/09/2009 16:56

Erikamaye I feel for you big time - you have enough on your plate without a mad dog!! What you could do to get there quicker is to record the adverts that get the dog going. And then let someone else(?) play them when they can take the dog out of the room. Maybe over and over again for a while.

When the advert comes out when you are lying with you feet up resting(I wish!!!!!) mute the tv for all ads or turn it over for a sec so the dog does not have the opportunity to get hyper or can the dog be somewhere else when you watch telly.

Re emptying the bin I am afraid that the best thing is to remove the bin from where the dog can get it (I know not always possible) We have ours in one of the kitchen units and a child proof lock on it. There are other ways but this is usually the most effective.

winestein · 14/09/2009 18:12

I know from my vet's latest newsletter that he has found a dog proof bin (in his case a Dane-proof bin!)

I can find out the product name if you like?

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 14/09/2009 22:49

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Mitchy we did try that but whispers he failed his dog school class - the puppy one. He kept just running off wanting to play. Bless him

Minimu sorry I feel like I've gone on a bit of a "pity me!" kinda trail now He's usually very good company, its just this one particular thing. I do sometimes mute the adverts, but if I'm asleep downstairs and have left the TV on then he barks and wakes me up. We have tried talking to him until after the advert finishes - but then he goes out of the room because he knows he's not supposed to do it, and barks in the kitchen. He really is an odd animal. I'll have a chat with my family as well, so we're all being consitant with it.

Normally the bin is put in the bath before everyone leaves for work, but if its been forgotten about in the mad rush, then theres bits of chewed up tissue all over the landing, and I simply cannot pick it up physically.

Winestein if you could, that would be absolutely fantastic, thank you

OP posts:

winestein · 15/09/2009 19:28

Hi EM... I was round at my vets today (see my thread which is why I came across yours!) I picked up the newsletter and the bin is a "Simplehuman" stainless steel pedal bin - he says "the top will not open unless you stand on the pedal and the lid fits flush so can not be pushed open. We stand and admire our bin!!"

However, I had a look on Amazon and the Simplehuman range is not a cheap one. See here

There is one that actually claims to be pet-proof with a lockable lid though (although it doesn't fit his description) and is under £40.

Hope this helps

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 15/09/2009 23:45

Thanks for that Will have a look!

(Today dog barked almost continuiously without the TV even being on. He is very lucky not to be a dog shaped rug right now!!!)

OP posts:

FairMidden · 16/09/2009 08:36

Not attractive but in desperation we got something like http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10278211&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=3268 97311 this and it's great!

Minimu's advice is really good. I am a bit that the RSPCA are advising the use of water squirters and rattle bottles. Those techniques aren't exactly modern and respected

FairMidden · 16/09/2009 08:36

[http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10278211&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=326 8 97311 try again]]

[goes back to bed]

FairMidden · 16/09/2009 08:37

97311 oh ffs

FairMidden · 16/09/2009 08:37

I'm going to DO THIS

FairMidden · 16/09/2009 08:37

[sweeping bow]

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/09/2009 12:51

Bless you!! Thanks for that

I don't think they nessicarily advise it with all dogs - they mentioned that because he's that bit older it was probably the best way to teach him.

OP posts:

minimu · 16/09/2009 16:34

Must be doing your head in if he is barking all day. Just asking how much exercise is the dog getting? Increasing that may help him to be calmer at home.
Also have you got a Kong (sorry to be so personal!!!) They are great strong rubber toys that you can stuff with food and then give to the dogs. Most dogs will be amused for ages trying to get the food out and then be tired and hopefully will sleep a bit and not bark the house down.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/09/2009 16:49

He's had an infection of the anal glands until recently so hasn't been allowed out on long walks - got a check up with the vet next week. I expect that's part of it, except he was doing it before! I can't walk him, obviously, but someone takes him out for a few miles every night (aside from the time he's been ill). Also been suggested he might be sesnative to the wind as we're right by the sea. Could explain why he's been so skitty recently.

We had something similar to that - he nibbled at it for a few minutes, then got bored, and returned to shredding his blanket and emptying the bin!

I'm just getting a bit anxious about it, with the baby getting closer. I know he'll wake in the night for feeds and changes anyway, but don't think I could cope if he was being woken up even more frequently because of whatever it is that is bothering him.

Today I muted the adverts every time they came on and he was still barking - because the net curtains in the house opposite were moving. Must buy some new blinds for the kicthen, but we can't black out every window!

OP posts:

minimu · 17/09/2009 08:45

Erika he does have problems that can all be sorted but it may be hard for you to do so at the moment.

If money was not option!!!
I would pay a dog walker to give him a really good walk in the morning before his breakfast. Then give him his first meal. He should sleep for several hours.

Then in the afternoon play in the garden for 10 mins or clicker training then give him a kong not a subsitute they are not the same.

Then a good walk in the evening before his supper and then again he will be quiet.

I am aware that this may not be possible but it will make him a different dog.

Can anyone help you with this

quietmum · 17/09/2009 10:11

If it is any consolation, while I was pregnant, I had 2 dogs, one of which was a barker, usually setting the other one barking as well.

My daughter must have got used to the noise whilst inside me as after she was born, she didn't bother at all with the noise of 2 dogs barking!

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