Barking in the Morning

Ok, we have a problem which is of our own making which we need to put a stop too. When Baxter arrived he would bark in the mornings, as he was a little bundle of baggy skin and cute, either myself or my wife would go down to him, BAD mistake. He's now 10 months and has a very deep bark, at 6:30am every morning he gives us a full on demonstration. Any suggestions on how we can stoop this, i'm thinking just ignore him ?

Thanks

Lol! Bless him. I'd suggest leaving him for a minute or so, then gradually increase the time that he has to wait. He might get bored after 5 minutes

Oh dear yes he may get fed up if you do as Rach has suggested

Rachel33 wrote:Lol! Bless him. I'd suggest leaving him for a minute or so, then gradually increase the time that he has to wait. He might get bored after 5 minutes

That's what I would do as well

The problem with leaving him for 5 minutes is that, if he keeps it up that long, he can learn that persistence pays.

I'd suggest not responding to the bark but being ready to respond the second he stops. What you'll hopefully find is that he barks as usual and then, when it doesn't work, stops to think about it. The second he stops you go towards him. If he barks as you're doing that, then take a few steps away immediately. If he's quiet go forwards and so give him what he wants, if he barks you do the opposite so that in effect his barking drives you away.

You might want to do this over a weekend when you have time, just in case he takes a bit of time to get to the stopping barking bit! Also, if you've got neighbours you might want to give them the heads up and explain that it should just be a couple of days.

I would do as everyone else is saying,, he will gradually get board & do something else. My dog still does it after a month and half,, me and my partner have learnt to just leave him to it.

Hopefully the neighbours will be ok for the few weeks it'll take to wear him down.