Why mire reactive since lockdown?

[WhatwouldAdeledo]

Have a lovely neutered rescue who before lockdown wasn't much interested in barking at dogs going past the house but now gets really loud barking. Does anyone know how I tell if she's guarding or angry or worried? She does stop when told no very firmly but it doesn't prevent it happening and I want to break it so looking for ideas please.

I would look to break the habit and prevent the behaviour - I suspect it's happening as more people are out and about and there's more traffic on the roads now.

So either block her access to the windows or use a privacy screen or film over the glass so you still have light coming in, but she can't see what's going past.

We have our front curtains closed or my dog would be up there barking constantly - I think lots of dogs bark at what's going on outside - it's normal but as you say it's annoying and not great for the neighbours.

Agree it's quite a normal dog behaviour, unless they are distressed or aggressive. Great that they stop when told to. We use 'quiet' command and praise him when he stops. We close the front blinds if we go out just incase.

How old is she and what type of dog is she?

How long had you had her before lockdown started?

Had her 6 months before lockdown, she's full grown at 6. Border collie, but has plenty if mental and physical stimulation - more in fact as have been WFH. I can't work out if she's being territorial, defensive, aggressive (unlikely as she's a wimp) or protective and not sure how to read her body language about it.

My guess would be she is frustrated and anxious and I agree that the easiest solution is probably window film or making the window inaccessible in some way so she can’t see.

This is the reason why the curtains to my front window are constantly closed! DDog would bark at everything passing and so just shutting the curtains is by far the easiest option.

Yeah, a couple of my collies have been barkers. Quiet as mice until a dog/cyclist/runner goes past. One was particularly fond of fluorescent jackets! It's just natural territory guarding - 'alert! alert! foreign dog approaching!'.
You have to just break the habit. Continue telling her to stop (good that she does).
She'll know what you don't want her to do, but does she know what you DO want her to do? Could you bribe a friend to walk repeatedly past your house with their dog, whilst you sit outside with her and praise her for not barking? Just be chilled out and don't look at the passing dog, like it's nothing of interest?

Good thinking, I'll give that a go.

@WhatwouldAdeledo

Had her 6 months before lockdown, she's full grown at 6. Border collie, but has plenty if mental and physical stimulation - more in fact as have been WFH. I can't work out if she's being territorial, defensive, aggressive (unlikely as she's a wimp) or protective and not sure how to read her body language about it.

It could just be that her true personality has come out now that she’s settled in. If you’re struggling to read her body language, does the rescue provide post-adoption behavioural support?

It could be I guess, they don't really have much in the way of PA support.