If he is barking when people come into the house then I would say yes.
Mine do the same. I tend not to worry too much about them barking immediately when people enter as I like the protection and don't scold them too much for them barking at strange people.

If mine bark once the people have entered the house and I greet them, then I get mad. I have made it ahabit to touch whoever enters so the dogs know they are friendly.

I like the suggestion AuntSwee posted about holding their nose gently and using a voice command such as 'quiet'.

I guess the barking is not so bad, but he also digs holes in the back yard and gets into the garbage a lot.

The barking can be controlled with a little training.
If you son't want him to bark at the door at all that is your choice.
I just prefer it for safety as I am alone here at night :)

Digging and garbage are hard! They can only be taught if you catch them in the act otherwise they won't know why you are being mad at them.
I had to get a metal bin for my rubbish and keep it in the bottom of our pantry cupboard!

Yeah digging is hard because I never catch him doing it. But there are huge holes in the ground. Getting in the garbage he will sneek in there and bring it over into the livingroom where we are and start chewing on it.

You could try some yukky smelling products in the garden, in the areas where he digs most (garden beds are the usual culprit)
That's hard too because you need to leave him space to do his business...

Let me think on this one for a bit... :)

I have used pieces of old wire fencing or screen or chicken wire. Placed flat over the hole secured with a rock or lawn staples. It's a real attractive look:p At one point I have about 6 in various places in the garden and yard. My pup got bored of that habit and I put the fencing away.:)

Good idea Dahlia, it might look messy for a while but it should break the habit!

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

I know you are very experienced with shelter dogs which I respect a lot but not all dogs have been abused or ar even from a shelter so we can't assume that until the OP posts a reply. And no I'm not "twisting your words" I've just noticed that you always mention shelters.

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I did not single out shelters or abused dogs, please re-read my post. No one is assuming anything, that is why I would not go into advice until the OP responded with the questions I have asked. You think I'm snitty, I think your over zealous for a popularity contest of raining title. Everyone is here to help others, not who can achieve the most "agreements"

Bringing up different ideas are my ways to get the poster thinking themselves and being open-minded, not just to react so intensly to the behavior but to look into the mind set first. I don't think I have ever suggested all dogs have been abused or come from a shelter, I have stated though that many from the latter come with issues that may have to be dealt with due to that circumstance. Some straight from the mother come with issues, I am not favoring one to the other, merly thoughts. You notice I mention shelter dogs have you noticed that is because most of the posts I respond to have to do with OP's asking about their adopted animals.

Why bring this up? I believe it was you that started this argument by saying that I "twisted words and sentences" when I wasn't even referring to your post...
I had moved on from it and continued helping the OP with the information she provided after you left.

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I think your over zealous for a popularity contest of raining title. Everyone is here to help others, not who can achieve the most "agreements"

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So you are implying that I am only here to achieve "agreements" not help other people... real nice...

And no, that isn't twisting your words... you said it loud and clear.

Congratulations, you will no longer have to deal with me having 'discussions' with you.

I think the best solution is just to stay away from topics you have posted in to avoid confrontation...

Having some pretty bad issues at the moment and really don't need to be put down more than I already am

Now, to the original poster you state now that the barking is not so bad, you have to just stay consistent and define the boundaries to where and what you want your dog to be barking at. I do agree with the introduction to your guests allowing your dog to not fear them. Praise the dog at a productive bark, one that will be protecting you with a treat and scold firmly and consistently at a bark that you're not agreeing with. Does the dog have chew toys that will keep him interested in, it sounds as though maybe the digging is from boredom. The breeds that you mention, some have the tendencies instinctively to search and find and you definitely have a breed mix that are all very smart rather cunning dogs which is OK it's a matter of keeping the dog busy. The breed mixes you mentioned like to be challenged and you have to create activities that cater to that. Give the dog a Kong toy and that will be the challenge to get the treat out of it. Some toys come with long ropes in them that the dog has to pull out the rope from the hole in order to get to the treat, they love those kind, they like to flip the rope around when their doing this. If you don't want to put screen or barb wire over your holes that the dog has dug try sprinkling a good about of red pepper or black pepper all around and in the hole, they sneeze at the smell and that discourages them also. Good luck

I said 'chicken wire' not 'barbed wire'
Chicken wire is a type of fencing.

Barbed wire is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

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Originally Posted by MsCanFix

. If you don't want to put screen or barb wire over your holes that the dog has dug try sprinkling a good about of red pepper or black pepper all around and in the hole, they sneeze at the smell and that discourages them also. Good luck

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NEVER put barbed wire in an area where dogs "live." Never.

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Originally Posted by MsCanFix

Now, to the original poster you state now that the barking is not so bad, you have to just stay consistent and define the boundaries to where and what you want your dog to be barking at. I do agree with the introduction to your guests allowing your dog to not fear them. Praise the dog at a productive bark, one that will be protecting you with a treat and scold firmly and consistently at a bark that you're not agreeing with. Does the dog have chew toys that will keep him interested in, it sounds as tho maybe the digging is from boredom. The breeds that you mention, some have the tendencies instinctively to search and find and you definitely have a breed mix that are all very smart rather cunning dogs which is ok it's a matter of keeping the dog busy. The breed mixes you mentioned like to be challenged and you have to create activities that cater to that. Give the dog a Kong toy and that will be the challenge to get the treat out of it. Some toys come with long ropes in them that the dog has to pull out the rope from the hole in order to get to the treat, they love those kind, they like to flip the rope around when their doing this. If you don't want to put screen or barb wire over your holes that the dog has dug try sprinkling a good about of red pepper or black pepper all around and in the hole, they sneeze at the smell and that discourages them also. Good luck

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Maybe we should put some "barbed wire" over you and see how you like it.

****Taking a long bow******

Thank you. Thank you.

Shucks folks. I just call 'em as I see 'em.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

NEVER put barbed wire in an area where dogs "live." Never.

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Woah woah woah, I live on a ranch and all we use for the most part is barbed wire. All my animals dogs, horses, cows... and the local deer know what it is and avoid it, the dogs crawl under it and the horses and cows (most of the time) leave it alone)

If the animal was raised around it from the time they were born they know what it is, and you can teach them it hurts, I would rather use barbed wire than "hot" fencing

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Originally Posted by chsracowgirl182

woah woah woah, I live on a ranch and all we use for the most part is barbed wire. All my animals dogs, horses, cows... and the local deer know what it is and avoid it, the dogs crawl under it and the horses and cows (most of the time) leave it alone)

If the animal was raised around it from the time they were born they know what it is, and you can teach them it hurts, I would rather use barbed wire than "hot" fencing

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I don't think the OP lives on a ranch but in some cityscape where barb wire would be dangerous for other pets and children. Ranch life is different. Please do not encourage someone to use this barbaric form of fencing as it could cause a serious injury to an unwitting child.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chsracowgirl182

woah woah woah, I live on a ranch and all we use for the most part is barbed wire. All my animals dogs, horses, cows... and the local deer know what it is and avoid it, the dogs crawl under it and the horses and cows (most of the time) leave it alone)

If the animal was raised around it from the time they were born they know what it is, and you can teach them it hurts, I would rather use barbed wire than "hot" fencing

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I don't think the OP is choosing between hot fencing and barbed wire nor do I think OP's dog has been raised around barbed wire.

But, of course, I could be wrong.

I also think it's barbaric but, again, I don't live on a ranch.