Barking. Barking. Barking

[Bjarnum]

We are desperate. She barks at people and she barks at dogs when we are out. She sidles up all happy waggy tail then as soon as the other dog/person relaxes she barks herself stupid scaring the wits out of them. We have tried the "walking away before she starts" but she barks as we move away, we have a bark collar that buzzes and vibrates - she ignores it. We have tried petting and reassuring her when another dog is nearby, giving her treats to distract her. Someone said it was because she was on a lead - no it isn't we tried letting her off and that really did not end well. She saw off a large Alsation and has been even worse since. She is a Cocker cross Bichon and has 2 litter siblings, one of which is well behaved and the other actually worse than ours! So fed up of apologising - it's really embarrassing. Any ideas for us to try? Please!

Please get rid of the bark collar and throw it in the bin. They are aversive tools and, rightly illegal in many countries as a result.

If it worked, she would stop barking but she doesn't. You must not try and punish your dog out of barking (which is the purpose of a bark collar).

You need the help of a professional behaviourist, but you have a mix of two fairly barky breeds (bichons more so than cockers) so this may be a tough one. Ask your vet or look on the APDT website.

Google "look at that" training. Sometimes shortened to "LAT".

Your doggo has learnt that when she sees EXCITING/SCARY THING, her reaction should be to bark. Why? Because it causes the thing to go away / her to be removed from the thing / the over-amped feeling to subside.

The way to treat it is to build a new association in her mind. Treats should work for this - but you have to do it continuously, over time, and gradually (in terms of exposure). Dogs learn best when "the triggering thing" is at a distance. Once she can cope with that, you go a little bit closer. And then closer next time.

In the real world, you're obviously going to come across dogs and people closer up. In this case, the key is not to flap and panic and apologise all worried and embarrassed. Just walk on. Be your dog's advocate and guide.

Try to book a good behaviourist if you can afford it. You can also look at Graeme Hall's dog training show and listen to his podcast. He should have an episode about this, or similar things, and his advise is generally useful.

Good luck!

Also, meant to say :)

If you treat her to distract her (when she's already barking), she'll think she's being rewarded for barking.

Otherwise, if she's too overstimulated, she just won't take the treats at all.

Only use treats to reward CALM behaviour - which in her case would be at a distance, when she's able to see a dog/person and not flip out.

When everything goes to shit, just calmly leave. And try to avoid putting her in those situations in the first place, as much as you can.

My dog is reactive towards strangers (particularly solo men), so I understand what you're going through! When everything else fails, you just have to not put her in stressful situations unless it's totally necessary.

Is there something that she particularly loves-steak, roast chicken, sausage, a favourite toy. Try giving her the treat before she starts barking and keep shovelling them in until the dog/person has passed.

Trying lots of different things will confuse the pup and definitely put the buzz collar in the bin. Aversive training tools are a no go.

Chat to your vet and get referred to a good registered behaviourist to work with you with positive training techniques and remember to be consistent!