I have a gorgeous 2 year old cocker spaniel which we got when she was 7 months old, she is lovely, well trained, very intelligent but she has a terrible habit of barking, when I say barking, for instance....... we went to our village fayre today, we walked down there and she's great, we had my 5 year old step daughter with us and when we stopped for her to have a go on the bouncy castle etc, poppy barks, it's as if she's staying..... err we've stopped, what's the problem and she does this if we are out walking and see friends and stop to talk, she starts barking, i've tried ignoring her, saying ah, ah, ah (when I do that she jumps up at me) but she still barks, even if I get a call on my mobile and stop to take the call, I can't hear anything as Poppy is barking in the background!!!!!

Other than that, she's a fantastic dog, very obediant and eager to please, has anyone any suggestions.

Thanks

Kaz

Typical attention seeking behaviour.

Ignore her totaly when she barks...praise her if she is quiet..even for a moment. If she is that bright she'll soon realise youll bend down and fuss her if she is quiet even though your on the phone.

Attention seeking totally!! If possible and it's safe with these types of behaviours I like to find a road with railings and when the dog starts hook top oflead over railings and walk away, or turn your back completely. When 2 seconds of quiet turn and reward with CALM QUIET praise. If not possible hold dog at arms length on the lead and turn your head away,2seconds and reward. Just slowly in crease the time. She's a smart cookie and probably fromworking stock so likes being busy!! Know how she feels!! ; )

one of my beardies does this (the 4 yr old ) barking is a trait of my breed they bark when working. She will wait a minute or two if I chat to someone then she starts barking and looking at me as if to say come on lets get going. My other dogs are happy to greet people she gives a quick hello and that is it , she then wants to be on her way.
We ignore her most of the time as we generally are moving on anyway although this can sometimes give her the impression she has instigated this. If I am eg: waiting for someone outside a shop a few 'quiet' in the right tone of voice and a jerk on the lead usually does the trick.
Can sympathise fully .
Problem we have is when she is on her own she doesnt do it,  I dont think she has the confidence when away from the other older dogs.This makes it more difficult to work on the behaviour.

2 of mine do it, but only when we are on our walk and I stop to speak to the neighbours ;-) I am afraid I have now taught them to keep barking so that we will carry on for our walk ;-) If I had ignored them years ago they might not keep doing it now. :-p My younger 2 don't bark, it's just the older 2.