Barking

Nico has recently started barking at us for what appears to be no reason, he always barks when he needs out, but even when he's just back from a walk, fed, played with and got toys about he just barks and jumps on us for nothing, we have tried settling him down on the sofa beside us in case it is just cuddles he's after but he just keeps jumping on us. When we tell him no he just keeps barking, cheeky thing! I've tried distracting him but it doesn't last long, tried walking away, the minute we sit down again he starts again. Currently attempting time outs but even that doesn't seem to be working. He's getting about 4 good walks a day, sometimes  an extra wee 1 or 2 quick jaunts, any ideas?

At about the same age Kuchar couldn't bear to see me sit down. He could bear me being up and around doing housework etc, but if I sat down for a rest he thought I should be playing with him and would stand in front of me and shout at me, even jumping up, and it sounds to me as if Nico is the same - they have unbelievable amounts of energy at that age! Kuchar still does it aged 2 but not quite so much.

Have you tried playing Fetch with you still sitting down? I find that 5 or 10 minutes of that will wear him out and he'll then settle. Alternatively, giving him a stuffed Kong, cow hoof or stag antler might do the trick.

Good luck! One certainly needs a lot of stamina with a boisterous dog   

I can only really think to ignore him so he realises it doesn't get him anywhere!

Sorry I can't offer help but I can empathise! My little rescue pup does the same thing. I'm an insomniac so will normally be up until about 3am, but when my hubby goes up to bed, within about 30 mins, she'll suddenly get up stand in front of me and bark!
She's does it sometimes during the day as well and time outs and ignoring doesn't work. Time outs in her cage doesn't stop her barking and ignoring her just makes her louder! The only thing that works is stopping what I'm doing and pay her attention! Rod for my own back but I can't have her upsetting the neighbours! xxx

Have you taught the quiet command?

JStaff wrote:Have you taught the quiet command?

We've had a manic bad time since we rescued Lola and she hasn't really had the time needed to 'train' her! When we got her in February she was almost completely untrained and has learnt the basics and few tricks quite quickly but some of the commands she picks up on the first few tries she then 'forgets' when convenient for her i.e. On bed, she picked this up quickly but every now and then instead of going into her cage as she normally does she jumps ON the cage and will then bark again! She's a cantankerous little thing!
We just not used to it as Eddie only ever barked if there was someone at the door, she barks at everything but the door!! As far as Lola is concerned I know she can do it it's just a case of perseverance and repetition! x x