I have a problem with a barking Westie. He was a brilliant dog with no aggression or any behaviour problems until he was six months old we had him neutered and when at the vets for a check up a spaniel came out and went for him (for no reason he was just sitting quietly) and I honestly believe that was the last time he sat quietly! He barks constantly at anything and everything, he barks at other dogs while out and he won't stop for anything. He is fine with the other dogs we own (two Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitches) and was fine with our older Alsatian Rottie x who we lost in December but very aggressive with any other dog and we have tried both on lead and off lead with dogs we trust. He barks at my neighbours dogs both sides have JRT's one one side two the other which is a real pain especially last thing at night and early morning (in fairness they often start the barking which negates any training I try and do with him). He barks at anything that drives or walks past our house and any dog that barks within a five mile radius. He is getting to the stage where he isn't a pleasure to walk and I have to force a happy smile and make myself calm to walk him I now walk him separately to our other dogs as they are happy quiet girls who love all other animals and its very frustrating to them that they can't play with other dogs as he barks which unsettles everyone. I spend most of my life trying to quiet him, I have tried the teaching him to speak and then quiet which didn't work for me because he is aggressive I have no desire to make this worse with squirting him with water or anything else I lavish praise on him whenever he shuts up and reward him for any silence. He will be two years old on March 1st and I have literally spent the last 18 months of my life with constant noise. He is cage trained and sleeps in his cage and is left in there if I go out (never for more than two hours) he is fed in there too as he is also food aggressive (again not something that any of my other dogs are or have been) he is fed on Davies Ranger lamb and rice dry complete food to limit any skin problems he may have. I would never re home any of my dogs I love them too much I have four children who adore them and vice versa but I'm literally sitting here in tears writing this down I feel like I've failed him but don't know why he would be so different to the other dogs as they have all been bought up the same way. the only lighter comment on all this is the look on people's faces when you tell them that your two Staffies love dogs but can you avoid the Westie as he is dog aggressive....any help or advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Was posted as a comment elsewhere on this blog - don't have writer's details
Dear Troubled Westie Owner. It sounds like your westie has a few issues caused by a combination of things. Westies do have a tendency to be vocal, I have trained many for barking problems. However, they are not all like that and there is certainly no reason why we cant fix him. Starting with the barking, this behaviour and the way your Westie displays it is known as reactive, due to the fact that he is reacting to anything and everything. You need to start by introducing some house rules if you dont have any, this will help you gain more respect from him. Although he is not barking for any reason relating to you, he isnt stopping when you request it which shows a lack of respect. I don't know your individual dog but Noise Aversion Therapy quite often works well with barking problems. It works by interrupting their barking with a loud unpleasant sound and prevents your dog from receiving any attention- even negative for barking. You simply spray or rattle without looking at him. Once he starts to respond to the noise aversion item you can add in a command. I favour Pet Correctors for this but there are many home-made devices you can use such as an old can with some nails in it- make sure the top is sealed.
We then need to address the aggression which I suspect stems from nervousness, but it is hard to diagnose and therefore correct without understanding your dog. Are your other dogs ok with other dogs? How much did he socialise with other dogs as a pup? Attacks by other dogs are always stressful and this causes many owners to keep their dog away from other dogs, at least for a few days. My dogs have unfortunately been attacked by many dogs, probably between them over 30 dogs. This is partly due to the rural community in which I live, most of the dogs in the village don't get to met any other dogs and so attack any others they see- namely mine! My dogs are, however, still very sociable with all dogs, all shapes, all sizes, this is because even straight after an incident I continue my walk and ensure I meet as many other dogs as I can. Of course it may be a frustration bark, in which case I have a few more questions.
Amy Hatcher, Think Tank resident dog trainer
Westie owner please contact us ASAP - Amy would to talk to you further and try to help you more
No comments:
Post a Comment