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HolBol · Nov 14, 2009, 03:28 AM

Our puppy is nearly 6 months old, he's an Old English Sheepdog called Benji and he is lovely! We also have a bichon frise, Alfie who is 4. We always give both of them fuss and love, but when Benji sees us giving attention to Alfie he starts barking. We pay attention to both of them at the same time but Benji really doesn't like it when we he sees us stroking Alfie. Also, Benji sometimes gets a bit playful, I know he's still a pup but he gets bitey and keeps barking. Any ideas on how we can get him to calm down a bit? (He was castrated a couple of weeks ago). Thanks

jacquixxx · Nov 14, 2009, 04:24 AM

When your puppy is barking tell him to be quiet + give him a treat do not shout at him as he thinks you are barking too just stay calm when he is barking don't fuss over him as he thinks its OK to do it hope this helps:)

HolBol · Nov 14, 2009, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by jacquixxx

when your puppy is barking tell him 2 be quiet + give him a treat do not shout at him as he thinks you are barking too just stay calm when he is barking dont fuss over him as he thinks its ok to do it hope this helps:)

Thank you for your reply, we'll try it when he barks again :)

shazamataz · Nov 14, 2009, 07:24 AM

Definitely do not give him a treat when he barks like the first poster suggested, this is reinforcing his bad behaviour not stopping it.

When mine bark they get a very sharp, very angry "uh-uh!" or "quiet" I also make sure I stand up when I do this to show them I am serious.

Ignoring them and staying calm is pointless... how is that going to show the dog it is doing the wrong thing?

Time outs can work quite well too... if your dog is barking at say the front door then immediately remove him after you say your "quiet" command and place him alone in a room as far away from the front door as possible... leave him there for 5-10 minutes and as long as he is not barking you can then let him out and give him a treat.

jacquixxx · Nov 14, 2009, 08:39 AM

[QUOTE=shazamataz;2084193]Definitely do not give him a treat when he barks like the first poster suggested, this is reinforcing his bad behaviour not stopping it.

If read properly I said tell the dog to be quiet then treat when quiet

Luv_a_bull098 · Nov 14, 2009, 11:42 AM

I would have to agree that treating a dog for barking, whether he's quiet or not, is a bad thing. He will soon learn to bark then be quiet and wait for a treat. I would suggest the easiest thing is to get up out of the room and leave with the other dog. Even if its for a couple of seconds. The puppy will learn that his barking gives him nothing. When he is quiet, then welcome him in to be petted with the other dog. Dogs get jealous just like humans do. No Process is a quick fix though. This could take a couple of weeks to control.

As for the nipping, any time he nips at you make a yelping noice. If he continues, "yelp" and walk away. If he continues, introduce cinnamon breath spray and squirt him in the mouth and tell him firmly "no bite". Dogs do not like the tingling sensation they feel from the cinnamon.

positive reinforcement · Mar 29, 2010, 05:35 PM

I know the following will work because it worked for us. It will take some work and you must be consistent, but it works. Do the following: Love on the other dog. Treat the puppy when it is NOT barking. Even if it is only for a few seconds. Keep doing this. The puppy will get it sooner than you think. Ignore the puppy when it is barking. But as soon as it stops for a couple seconds, treat him. Then when he gets it and stops for longer periods, treat and give him lots of love. Dogs don't think in terms of rewards. They think in terms of associating things with other things. He is thinking "the other dog is getting good things(love) and I am not". After the training, he will be thinking "I am getting good things when I am quiet and the good things are happening while the other dog is getting love". So he will connect all the dots and calm down. Hope this is helpful.