dog from alert-barking at every single noise

Hi there,

The situation you're describing is one many owners face. A dog barking at the slightest noise in the garden is displaying what’s known as territorial guarding. To put a stop to this, the priority is to break the habit of guarding: don’t leave him outside unsupervised for the time being. When your dog reacts to a noise and barks, your reflex is probably to shout "Quiet!" or "No!". To him, it feels like you're just barking along with him, which only increases his excitement levels. Avoid doing this and instead call him back to you immediately in a calm voice, using a treat to reward his return and his silence. By associating these noises with a reward from you rather than a threat to be fended off, your dog will gradually learn to relax.

Don't hesitate to provide some enrichment (toys, snuffle mats) to focus his attention and keep him busy. You could also seek advice from a dog trainer to help resolve the issue and restore your dog's peace of mind regarding outside noises.

Best regards,

Laure.

Don’t leave him alone in the garden and bring him inside as soon as he starts barking. You could also get some help from a pet behaviourist.