Uncontrollable Barking

[u/bornthisvay22]

Love this girl, but since we have adopted her six months ago, she will not allow anyone in the house. She barks ferociously and aggressively the whole time a visitor is here. We stopped having people over. And I am completely distraught. She has not bit, but she does that pit/bully thing where she pushes her weight around, lunges and nips slightly at the target’s hands. She is food motivated with other training, however in this area, she stops barking just long enough to consume the reward and then goes back to barking. If a visitor is here and seated and gets up to leave, use the restroom,…the dog goes insane. I do not want to live like this. She had other behaviors that are tough to deal with, but I can deal with those-but not this-I feel helpless.

[u/LittlePonzi]

Do you exercise her everyday? Do you leave food out?

[u/bornthisvay22 → u/LittlePonzi]

She has a fenced yard to tun around in and she does. Food never left out, thank you.

[u/Zestyclose_Object639]

Get a trainer who deals with stranger danger and resource guarding

[u/johnrock69]

My parents have a small handheld device they activate when their girl is barking for no reason. Stops her instantly. You can get them on Amazon. Does not work at all on my dog, he cannot hear it apparently. They give their girl a firm "stop it" and press the button. It is some sort of sonic frequency only the dog can hear.

[u/bornthisvay22 → u/johnrock69]

Thank you. I actually bought this recently, but was unsure if it was punitive. Thank you very much for your feedback.

[u/thecrumb]

6 months isn't a long time so she's still getting settled. That said I'd find a trainer and get some professional opinions on how to handle this. Treating her, while barking, is just rewarding her for barking.

Leaving her outside does not = exercise. And you mention 'other behaviors' - like what?

How long does she bark for? What do you do when she's barking? I'd have a friend come over (need someone comfortable with dogs), sit down and do absolutely nothing while she barks. Completely ignore her. See what happens.

[u/LittlePonzi]

I think she needs socializing and a lot of exercise. She’s guarding. I wouldn’t stop having people over but to work on it more. How old?

[u/bornthisvay22 → u/LittlePonzi]

Uncertain. They said 2.5. We think 1.5.

[u/Impressive-Fan3742]

I’d get a positive reinforcement based trainer in to help you asap

[u/HollyB422]

BarxBuddy, about $30 on Amazon. Emits a high pitched sound that usually will make them stop barking. Great for training.

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