I had to think about barking at the door, and realized that hasn't been a problem with Gus. (We have other barking problems.) Gus will bark an alert when someone approaches the front door, which is fine with me. I agree with those who see this as their dog's job. When someone actually knocks on the door I've been working on getting him to stay back from the door rather than rushing up to it enthusiastically (but not barking).
My problem is with the back yard - Gus likes to sit by the sliding glass door, which gives him a pretty good viewpoint of any stray cats or squirrels that pass through. I am beginning to realize that hazelnut trees and Cairn terriers are not the best combo, the squirrels are driving him berserk these days - justifiably as they are robbing us of our crop in especially large numbers this year. I haven't been successful in stopping him from barking frantically when he spots a squirrel nearby. He also runs up and down the stairs as if he could somehow get at them better from the second floor. I can't get near enough to shake a shoe at him! I'm hoping that the heavy squirrel action will die down in a few weeks. I'm not sure it's possible to train them not to react to vermin. I live in a fourplex in a housing co-op, with very close neighbours, who have never complained about noise. So I wish I could quiet him down better. He will bark wit excitement when I take the ball out, but I shush him and won't throw the ball until he is quiet for a count of ten. But back yard invasions are his biggest trigger.
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Help with barking when someone's at the door
Started by Kit'sOwner, Sep 09 2010 02:26 AM
28 replies to this topic
#17
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Posted 10 September 2010 - 01:45 AM
I agree that one or two warning barks when someone's at the front door is totally appropriate and in fact wanted...however, my dogs don't do that - they FREAK OUT.
Okay, my report on the "BarkOff"! device is as follows:
I turned the unit on and put it in an appropriate spot. Some time later, a neighbour came to the door. They both started up and the CAIRN stopped barking immediately. The BICHON continued to bark - she wasn't affected at all. The BICHON will quiet down easier than the CAIRN when front door barking - but still, it would have been awesome if they would have both shut up. You can hear an audible tone when the unit goes off and I think it's probably for us humans to know that it's gone off. It is better to have this in hand with the unit off when you're with your dogs and not anticipating someone at the door, as loud bass from the TV or child practicing violin can set it off and you really, really should only associate the sub sonic sound with the door knocking. We did a few other front door tests and again, the Bichon reacted normally while the Cairn was subdued - either didn't bark or barked maybe once then backed down. Incredible how these little dogs learn.
The packaging says you have to give the unit about a week, if it doesn't work for your dog right away. I got online and found a site that is filled with people complaining that it doesn't work at all. I probably wouldn't have bought the unit had I stumbled across that site first. I'm going to keep the receipt; I'm not sure if I'm going to return it or not. It was only $10 and if it's subduing the Cairn, maybe it's worth it to keep it around.
So, my final assessment is that it seems to work for my Cairn (will keep you posted over the week about how it works for the Bichon - just out of curiosity). I found myself wondering if the Bichon is deaf - but I don't think so, as she usually comes when calls, and barks at the door when there is someone there (or is she barking at the shadow of someone there or when she can actually see someone there if the storm door is open?) No, she can't be deaf.....she comes from the top of the house when called to the basement.
Anyway, if you buy this, don't buy it from the TV infomercial where you will have to pay shipping and will find it hard to return. Buy it from PetSmart - or that pharmacy you have in the States - I think it's called WalGreens, because it'll only cost you $10 and you'll be able to return it if it doesn't work for you outright.
ps: I have also found reviews where people have noted that it worked immediately for their dogs
Okay, my report on the "BarkOff"! device is as follows:
I turned the unit on and put it in an appropriate spot. Some time later, a neighbour came to the door. They both started up and the CAIRN stopped barking immediately. The BICHON continued to bark - she wasn't affected at all. The BICHON will quiet down easier than the CAIRN when front door barking - but still, it would have been awesome if they would have both shut up. You can hear an audible tone when the unit goes off and I think it's probably for us humans to know that it's gone off. It is better to have this in hand with the unit off when you're with your dogs and not anticipating someone at the door, as loud bass from the TV or child practicing violin can set it off and you really, really should only associate the sub sonic sound with the door knocking. We did a few other front door tests and again, the Bichon reacted normally while the Cairn was subdued - either didn't bark or barked maybe once then backed down. Incredible how these little dogs learn.
The packaging says you have to give the unit about a week, if it doesn't work for your dog right away. I got online and found a site that is filled with people complaining that it doesn't work at all. I probably wouldn't have bought the unit had I stumbled across that site first. I'm going to keep the receipt; I'm not sure if I'm going to return it or not. It was only $10 and if it's subduing the Cairn, maybe it's worth it to keep it around.
So, my final assessment is that it seems to work for my Cairn (will keep you posted over the week about how it works for the Bichon - just out of curiosity). I found myself wondering if the Bichon is deaf - but I don't think so, as she usually comes when calls, and barks at the door when there is someone there (or is she barking at the shadow of someone there or when she can actually see someone there if the storm door is open?) No, she can't be deaf.....she comes from the top of the house when called to the basement.
Anyway, if you buy this, don't buy it from the TV infomercial where you will have to pay shipping and will find it hard to return. Buy it from PetSmart - or that pharmacy you have in the States - I think it's called WalGreens, because it'll only cost you $10 and you'll be able to return it if it doesn't work for you outright.
ps: I have also found reviews where people have noted that it worked immediately for their dogs
#18
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Posted 10 September 2010 - 04:00 AM
I knew that someone would think I was cruel and if it was a consistant issue I would take action. Most of the time the inner door is shut so it's not an issue and when it's been open Demps has only done this a couple of times. He likes to lay there, get a little sunlight and watch the action. Tape would be a good idea, if he didn't try to go under it. He gets lots of love and his little Cairn dignity is intact, but thank you for your worries - your comment was appreciated.
Edited by Dempsy's Mom, 10 September 2010 - 04:23 AM.
#19
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Posted 11 September 2010 - 06:05 AM
I, too, want my girl to bark--a bit! Most of the cairns are your personal home alarm system!
My sister's two cairns barked ridiculously loud one time when the doorbell rang (they always bark, but they were particularly loud this time). Once the visitor came in, he was embarrassed when he saw just who was making all that racket and had to admit that he had "feared" there were big, vicious dogs in the house!
When I know I have to open the door to a visitor, the UPS guy so I can sign for something or a workman, I nudge my girl into the adjoining kitchen and close the gate. She still barks, but not as much, and then she gets sprung.
A trainer I used for my first pup (we used clicker training) suggested pairing the click with a toss of a tiny treat away from the door, and then praising the dog with a "Good quiet!"--one method of positive reinforcement.
I just wish I could find my girl's mute button when it's early in the morning. I guess that's something that wasn't "original manufacturing equipment"!
My sister's two cairns barked ridiculously loud one time when the doorbell rang (they always bark, but they were particularly loud this time). Once the visitor came in, he was embarrassed when he saw just who was making all that racket and had to admit that he had "feared" there were big, vicious dogs in the house!
When I know I have to open the door to a visitor, the UPS guy so I can sign for something or a workman, I nudge my girl into the adjoining kitchen and close the gate. She still barks, but not as much, and then she gets sprung.
A trainer I used for my first pup (we used clicker training) suggested pairing the click with a toss of a tiny treat away from the door, and then praising the dog with a "Good quiet!"--one method of positive reinforcement.
I just wish I could find my girl's mute button when it's early in the morning. I guess that's something that wasn't "original manufacturing equipment"!
#20
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Posted 11 September 2010 - 07:36 PM
Angel alerts me when someone is at the door but she doesn't excessively bark at the door unless Scotty gets her going. Scotty will bark his freakin head off and won't stop. He has a really loud bark too people usually think he is a big dog. The only way I can get him to stop is to put his leash on and walk into another room. I won't bring him back into the living room until he is quiet and calm. Our trainer did an in home visit with us once and showed how to get him to stop. But it doesn't work for me. I tried doing it the way Victoria stillwell does that didn't work either. So if I know someone is coming over we wait in another room or put him in his crate where he won't bark as much.
#21
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 11:07 AM
Normally I just read, learn, and enjoy this site. I usually don't think there's anything I could possibly add to the wonderful discussions here....
However, today I might just have a tiny tidbit to add on the subject of excessive barking and fit throwing when someone is at the door.
Baby Fly is almost 10 month now and we've been working hard on barking, (both outside on the leash and inside when someone is at the door). We're also working on jumping up people when they come over. In typical cairn fashion, she gets overly excited when we have guest to the point of being a little nuisance.
What I have done with great success is put her in 'time out'. This works really well when we are inside and a visitor comes to the door. The difficult thing with this is being consistent... meaning leaving your guest in the living room while you do a little 'dog training'.
I have found that she needs two or three trips (down from six or seven when we first started!!) to 'time out', which is a small bathroom in the hallway before she will come out calmly. Well... calmly enough to suit 'Mom'.
She comes out a little more mellow each time I offer that she join us again. I only leave her in there for 30 seconds to a minute. Longer than that and she forgets what she got put in there for. She usually comes out very mellow at first... almost walking in slow motion. (and as she comes out, I am there encouraging her by saying 'gentle...GENTLE.... mellow .... mellow doggie! good girl for being mellow.... with lots of 'no' mixed in if she starts to get too excited.
Sometimes she will do really well until we get to the guests feet, then she gets too excited again and runs and jumps for a lap. If she does this, she gets put right back in time out!
Each time I put her in 'time out', I pick her up and tell her she can't be barking and jumping on people and I actually 'explain' to her why she's getting put in the bathroom. I hold her mouth closed gently, very gently, with no harshness at all, and tell her not to bark.
I guess I've talked to her so much when I put her in 'time out' that she knows what 'time out' is and where it it. The last few weeks when someone comes over even in the midst of her tweak out, usually all I have to do now is say, "Baby Fly! You are being a bad girl! You have to go to 'time out' right now until you can come out and be a good calm and mellow little doggie!" .... To my total amazement, she runs down the hallway and into the bathroom!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHa. You gotta love a cairn terrier. They are comedy at it's best. But I digress...
It still might take two or three trips until she is totally calm with the guest. Any bad Behavior on her part gets her put right back in the bathroom, which I must say is easier now, because she puts herself in. haha I still have to go close the door though and open it.
Outside when we are walking and she starts her ballistic cairn routine for some unknown reason or another, I also use the 'gently closing her mouth and telling her 'NO BARKING' method' of correcting her. I never force her mouth closed. She just always let's me close it as long as I'm gentle. If I'm pushy or tense or overly harsh, That's it. I've lost her. She will not cooperate with me.
One more point...
She has to stop barking completely to get invited back out of 'time out'. It's also nice if the guests are close family or friends who understand that this training is important and must happen spontaneously when an actual guest arrives. I often practice with my close neighbors and friends who are willing to help me 'train'.
The thing is: This training did take time, but I could see right away that she was going to get it. And she is getting it! She's MUCH better at receiving visitors than she used to be. Almost not 'lap jumping' at all now. A nice amount of barking but with the ability to stop in less than 30 seconds and control herself. My guess is, she likes being in the middle of the action better than she likes being in the bathroom alone.
As you can see, writing isn't my strong suit. I hope I didn't jumble the story too much. Also hope this will help someone.
However, today I might just have a tiny tidbit to add on the subject of excessive barking and fit throwing when someone is at the door.
Baby Fly is almost 10 month now and we've been working hard on barking, (both outside on the leash and inside when someone is at the door). We're also working on jumping up people when they come over. In typical cairn fashion, she gets overly excited when we have guest to the point of being a little nuisance.
What I have done with great success is put her in 'time out'. This works really well when we are inside and a visitor comes to the door. The difficult thing with this is being consistent... meaning leaving your guest in the living room while you do a little 'dog training'.
I have found that she needs two or three trips (down from six or seven when we first started!!) to 'time out', which is a small bathroom in the hallway before she will come out calmly. Well... calmly enough to suit 'Mom'.
She comes out a little more mellow each time I offer that she join us again. I only leave her in there for 30 seconds to a minute. Longer than that and she forgets what she got put in there for. She usually comes out very mellow at first... almost walking in slow motion. (and as she comes out, I am there encouraging her by saying 'gentle...GENTLE.... mellow .... mellow doggie! good girl for being mellow.... with lots of 'no' mixed in if she starts to get too excited.
Sometimes she will do really well until we get to the guests feet, then she gets too excited again and runs and jumps for a lap. If she does this, she gets put right back in time out!
Each time I put her in 'time out', I pick her up and tell her she can't be barking and jumping on people and I actually 'explain' to her why she's getting put in the bathroom. I hold her mouth closed gently, very gently, with no harshness at all, and tell her not to bark.
I guess I've talked to her so much when I put her in 'time out' that she knows what 'time out' is and where it it. The last few weeks when someone comes over even in the midst of her tweak out, usually all I have to do now is say, "Baby Fly! You are being a bad girl! You have to go to 'time out' right now until you can come out and be a good calm and mellow little doggie!" .... To my total amazement, she runs down the hallway and into the bathroom!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHa. You gotta love a cairn terrier. They are comedy at it's best. But I digress...
It still might take two or three trips until she is totally calm with the guest. Any bad Behavior on her part gets her put right back in the bathroom, which I must say is easier now, because she puts herself in. haha I still have to go close the door though and open it.
Outside when we are walking and she starts her ballistic cairn routine for some unknown reason or another, I also use the 'gently closing her mouth and telling her 'NO BARKING' method' of correcting her. I never force her mouth closed. She just always let's me close it as long as I'm gentle. If I'm pushy or tense or overly harsh, That's it. I've lost her. She will not cooperate with me.
One more point...
She has to stop barking completely to get invited back out of 'time out'. It's also nice if the guests are close family or friends who understand that this training is important and must happen spontaneously when an actual guest arrives. I often practice with my close neighbors and friends who are willing to help me 'train'.
The thing is: This training did take time, but I could see right away that she was going to get it. And she is getting it! She's MUCH better at receiving visitors than she used to be. Almost not 'lap jumping' at all now. A nice amount of barking but with the ability to stop in less than 30 seconds and control herself. My guess is, she likes being in the middle of the action better than she likes being in the bathroom alone.
As you can see, writing isn't my strong suit. I hope I didn't jumble the story too much. Also hope this will help someone.
#22
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 03:20 PM
Lou, I like your method and will give it a try. We have used the time out in the bedroom a couple of times but really need to get consistent.
You write fine--I understood everything you were saying.
You write fine--I understood everything you were saying.
#23
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Posted 12 September 2010 - 07:26 PM
Demspy's Mom, Currey also has a habit of faceplanting into a glass door and I also have a habit of laughing when he does. We have a back slider door onto the deck and the bold squirrels frequently saunter onto the deck. The doors have grids built in between the two panes, but he doesn't care one bit - 3 years in the house and he tries to fling himself through the glass about once a week. Tape or any other "reminder" (like big white grids right in front of him) won't do anything to stop a determined cairn when a squirrel is 2 feet away.
Indignity: maybe. Funny: certainly for his uprights. He knows the glass is there. He just doesn't care one bit!
Indignity: maybe. Funny: certainly for his uprights. He knows the glass is there. He just doesn't care one bit!
#24
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 06:49 AM
Zekey now barks at doorbells on the TV, as well as a deep windchime that rarely rings. I DO want him to alert me to strangers at the door, but not expected guests.
I downloaded a dog-training ap for my iPod Touch - and it comes with some "trigger" sounds. One is a doorbell, and I have to be careful not to tease him with it -- it is just TOO funny to press the button and see him take off for the door. One of these days I will get around to the actual training. In the mean time, I'm dying to try it out in the woods, and see just where he will run to!
I downloaded a dog-training ap for my iPod Touch - and it comes with some "trigger" sounds. One is a doorbell, and I have to be careful not to tease him with it -- it is just TOO funny to press the button and see him take off for the door. One of these days I will get around to the actual training. In the mean time, I'm dying to try it out in the woods, and see just where he will run to!
#25
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 07:28 AM
Zekey's Mom, on 13 September 2010 - 06:49 AM, said:
Zekey now barks at doorbells on the TV, as well as a deep windchime that rarely rings.
Ah - the TV door bell is very real in Taz's head. We are addicted to watching House Hunters which starts up after each commercial break with a door bell. Taz chimes in
#26
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 08:26 AM
We are starting to learn what commercials to really, really quickly push the mute button before Murphy goes nuts. Most of the time we aviod commercials all together, because we are addicted to the DVR, but football season is in full swing and it's not fun!
#27
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 04:32 PM
Zekey's Mom, on 13 September 2010 - 06:49 AM, said:
...I'm dying to try it out in the woods, and see just where he will run to!
That sounds really funny!
Let us know what Zekey does!
#28
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Posted 13 September 2010 - 11:14 PM
Holly never used to bark at the door but she is now doing it more and more but I do not mind as it alerts me to someone being there.
However, I think I have said before I have to have the laptop on mute as any sounds from that set her off barking - and if I want to watch a youtube someone has posted I cannot have the sound on! She goes nuts, barking and jumping around. But odd thing is she does not do anything about sounds on TV!
Funny little dog but lovable!
[laptop is on kitchen table]
However, I think I have said before I have to have the laptop on mute as any sounds from that set her off barking - and if I want to watch a youtube someone has posted I cannot have the sound on! She goes nuts, barking and jumping around. But odd thing is she does not do anything about sounds on TV!
Funny little dog but lovable!
[laptop is on kitchen table]
#29
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Posted 15 September 2010 - 06:55 AM
Too funny, everyone! I love hearing your stories.
After about a week of using "BarkOff"! I have determined that it's actually crap. Guess who I saw in line at PetSmart when I was returning it? OTHER PEOPLE RETURNING IT!
Don't waste your money. It only worked for about a day or two. Stick with your training!
After about a week of using "BarkOff"! I have determined that it's actually crap. Guess who I saw in line at PetSmart when I was returning it? OTHER PEOPLE RETURNING IT!
Don't waste your money. It only worked for about a day or two. Stick with your training!
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