My dog barks when we're at the table, help!

I see what you’re getting at, don't worry.

You set rules at home with your dogs (which is normal), they have things they're allowed to do and things they aren't, right? We can agree on that?

By the way, I’m really enjoying this constructive debate; it’ll be useful for a lot of people regarding how to train their dog. 👍

What kind of dogs do you have, since you said "my dogs"? It’s just a question, not an insult, right? I’m just here to chat and help out however I can with the experience I have—none of us have all the answers. 👍

Physically? Perhaps not. Mentally? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s a move intended to simulate a kill; the dogs subjected to it show massive signs of stress, and when they stop moving, it’s only because they’ve entered a state similar to depression—you could almost call it apathy. So, yes, yes, and yes again, they are suffering!!!

If you follow basic learning principles even slightly, you don't end up with a dog barking in your face for an hour... Would I have the patience for that? I’m not sure; I’m not the most patient person, much to my regret. On the other hand, one thing is certain: the method works, it’s simply a way of learning.

As many "rights"... honestly. I’m struggling to even respond because, in my view, that’s so far from being a healthy concept. My dogs don’t have more or fewer rights than I do. There are rules that I take the time to teach them, and we live in perfect harmony. They have their own independence; I don’t feel particularly superior to them... I’m quite far removed from those kinds of considerations, as I don’t think in terms of hierarchy but rather the idea of "living well with my dogs". I’m happy with them, and if they cause any issues, I just teach them what they need to know to make the problem go away, full stop.

Surely the goal should be living well with your dogs? They’re happy at home, I’m happy with them, and I don’t need to show them that they have "fewer rights than me"... besides, it’s such an abstract concept that a dog wouldn't even be able to understand it.

Do you really think grabbing a White Shepherd by the scruff of its neck causes it pain???????????

It's just showing them that everyone has their place, full stop.

Now, if you're happy to ignore a dog barking right in your face while you're eating, well, that's not good at all... it's just showing them they have as many rights in the house as you do.

No, and it’s just so completely baseless... It’s not as if it even achieves anything positive, but it doesn't even do that!

Just as a reminder: there is no such thing as a hierarchy between different species, and mother dogs don't punish their puppies by shaking them by the scruff of the neck. That is actually a killing move; if they did that to their pups, they’d kill them!

And anyway, good luck trying to hold a White Shepherd on its back, unless you've taken up wrestling! ^^

Mouss le chien: Actually, the dog is suffering with the method you're suggesting... That's the whole point of it, really – to make them suffer enough to put them into a state of shutdown, of learned helplessness, just to get a non-reaction or a lack of movement. Don't do it!! Besides, saying "no", which is a form of positive punishment (P+), is completely unnecessary... Its only purpose is behaviour suppression; it doesn't actually tell the dog what they should be doing instead.

Clara360: +1

Mvc1005: When you ignore a dog, you're basically asking them to offer a different behaviour to get what they want. Ignoring them doesn't mean the dog will behave perfectly straight away; you need a lot of patience to show them that every new bad behaviour won't get them what they're after. If you give in after an hour, next time he'll hold out for well over an hour because he knows that behaviour eventually works... Ignore him for good. Or, put him in another room before you start your meal; while it doesn't fix the root of the problem, it'll stop it from getting worse.

+1 for

that dog advice site

Hi there,

I’d strongly advise you not to give in! Don't start feeding him in another room either, or he’ll just keep barking to get what he wants. Tell him ‘no’ once, then twice, and on the third time, take him by the scruff of the neck (that’s how their mothers put them in their place) and put him in his bed in a submissive position. Your dog probably won’t make it easy at first, but you mustn’t give up. It doesn’t hurt the dog at all, but he’ll eventually settle down. Keep your dog in his bed during mealtimes so you can eat in peace. Of course, this won’t happen overnight.

Best,