I'm looking for some advice as my 6-month-old Golden Retriever just won't stop barking whenever she's out in the garden.
She keeps barking at the birds. What can I do to stop this behaviour?
I've got neighbours and I really don't want any trouble or complaints because of the noise...
Thanks!
Translated from French
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Hi everyone, I know this forum has been around for a while, but I really wanted to share what actually worked for my dog. For two months, my dog had been barking non-stop at the slightest thing, whether it was a cat passing by or just the neighbours, and it was becoming unbearable. I was at my wits' end, so I had a look online and a friend recommended an online guide that had been a total lifesaver for her. I wasn't really sure at first because you have to pay for it (about £25), but then again, a session with a dog trainer costs between £30 and £35, so that's what made me decide to go for it. And I don’t regret it one bit! Even though I bought it a year ago, I’ve managed to find the link again, so I’ll leave it below.
I’m having the same issue with my 10-month-old girl. It never lasts more than 5 minutes, though. I have to admit we’re constantly telling her to pipe down, so thanks for all the constructive feedback.
Spot on, *****. We’re going to turn this into a go-to guide for understanding barking! 😌😌
I’d also add that a stern look at the dog when they’re barking excessively during this exchange between the dog and a receptive owner is often enough to quieten them down. To do this, you have to be tuned in and really understand the behaviour that triggered the barking in the first place.
It’s all part of the dog’s training. we’re teaching them that repetitive barking isn’t wanted once the cause has been identified.
To be honest, it all depends on how understanding your neighbours are. But when it comes to the dog, don't let him get into the habit of just barking; instead, aim for "useful barking" in partnership with you.
Scaring away birds in a playful and collaborative way with your dog is brilliant ^^
He’ll only bark when necessary and to show his joy. At the same time, you’ll have taught him to alert you to any pesky birds, while reinforcing his guarding, hunting, and alertness instincts with the minimum amount of barking required for the job.
It sounds like she’s becoming more assertive; she’s barking at birds the same way she would at people. She’s on her own territory and is letting everyone know she’s there. Next time, try to distract her. As soon as you sense she’s about to bark, scatter some treats on the floor or toss her favourite toy to give her something else to focus on. You’ll need to repeat this every single time—it takes a lot of patience and commitment, and it won’t be sorted in just a couple of afternoons.
Best regards.
That’s exactly what I don’t get – it’s not new to her. We’ve had her for 3 months now and the problem only cropped up about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I’m just hoping she gets bored of it...
I take her for walks in the woods and she never barks; it’s only in my garden because of a tree in the neighbours’ garden where the birds like to perch.
