So, how do you deal with barking?

[belindarose]

Our 8 month old springer doesn't really bark much, but has just started to in certain situations. It's excitement for him I think, and totally understandable as it's mainly when the cat tries to come through the cat flap or like today when the window cleaner was outside. He's wagging his tail when barking, doesn't seem cross or frightened. He stopped when the window cleaner was out of sight, but found it hard to focus on me - he did lie down when asked, but would then stand up and bark.

As I said, I think I understand why he's barking, know that barking is 'normal' and fine, but would like to know if there's anything I should be doing.

You are so right in finding out the cause of the barking and then how it should be dealt with.

If in your case if it is excitement with a bit of anxiety mixed in I would work on upping the socialization for a bit. So get him to meet different people etc. Although to be honest window cleaners are a tricky one and I would just make sure he was in another room to the one that was being cleaned.

A quiet or enough command is good _ I use thank you. They have done their job to alert me and "thank you" you can stop now.

When the dog stops barking say your command and click and treat. Do this enough the dog will learn your command.

Thanks, was hoping you'd be along, minimuu. I'll work on 'enough' then. So I click and treat when he stops? Sounds simple...!

Yep simple

Do be prepared to be patient though. As it seems he is a little anxious if you (understandably) get a bit impatient waiting for him to stop barking that may increase the barking - so you will have to calm and chilled

Patience is my only strong point, so I'm okay with that bit. However, I'm all set to practise and he hasn't barked since I posted!