Re: barking for attention

In Reply to: barking for attention
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Susan Smith
Posted on:  April 26, 2002 at 20:52:21

: My male JRT is almost 7 years old. Well behaved and fun, but when we get company, he barks incesently when they walk in the door, wanting you to get his tennis ball and play. So to quiet him, we get it out for a few minutes and play fetch. Then he'll settle, maybe chew on a bone. But he gets restless and wants someone to play with him. It's so annoying and we just can get him to lay down and be quiet and rest while we're talking. If we are outside he'll find a rock or a stick and want you to play fetch with those things. And if you ignore him, he'll just bark at you until you throw something. I don't even want to invite anyone over anymore. It's embarrassing. Please HELP!!!

Response:

Dear Susan,

As I understand your question -- your terrier barks until you do what he wants you to do and once you do it, he's quiet until he decides he wants you to do it again. So you do it again, and again, to keep him from barking. Welcome to the "owners-who-have-been-trained-by-a-terrier" club; you are not alone in your frustration and embarassment. :-)

Every time you play fetch with him when he barks, you are reinforcing the behavior. Sure, you've stopped the barking (your benefit) but you have also taught him how to get your attention (his benefit.) Our responses can inadvertently shape a behavior -- regardless of our intentions.

My advice is that you work with a trainer -- either in class or personally in your home. Your terrier is not "too" old to learn how to behave himself and you (and your family) need to be taught how to effectively deal with his behavior.