Re: barking

In Reply to: barking
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Sean Scully
Posted on:  September 21, 2002 at 08:51:09

: We have an 11 month old JRT that we purchased when it was 8 weeks old. Over the past month she is constantly roaming the yard (we have invisible fencing) and barking. When we correct her for the barking she runs away and stands and barks at us. What can we do to limit the barking, she is driving us and our neighbors crazy.

Response:

Dear Sean,

Dogs don't bark without reason. I suggest you bring your terrier in the house and/or not leave her outside unattended until you figure out why she has recently started this behavior. Unfortunately, one the hazards of having an invisible fence is that your yard is wide open for anything (or anyone) to cruise through it...and there's not much you can do about it if you're not there to supervise your terrier.

You also can't expect to correct/train a behavior if you don't have control of your terrier...as in on a leash. Teaching a terrier to "be quiet!" or "stop barking" requires that you first have their attention. As you've experienced, "barking" at your girl just escalates her behavior. :-)

Good luck,
Leslie