I realise barking has been done to a death, and I have tried searching through old posts to find the info I need but haven't really come across the right specific advice so I hope you don't mind me starting a new thread.  However with reading all the old posts, it means I hopefully will be able to list all the specific info that might be asked!

Millie (14 month old Scottish Terrier) has always barked territorially but lately it seems worse.  At the start we tried ignoring her - didn't work, she was too focused on barking to be bothered about being ignored!  Then we tried rewarding her for shushing - didn't work, she'd run up to us, be quiet, get the treat, then run back out to the hall to continue barking!

I've taught her to 'speak' with the intention of teaching her 'quiet' afterwards as is often advised - however she is not a barky dog generally (doesn't bark for excitement, doesn't bark in the garden, doesn't bark at any other time, so asking her to 'speak' gets one little quiet bark out of her as part of the training routine, and then she sits quietly anyway waiting for the next 'command'.

Its definately territorial barking, our house is very close to the road, a few feet from the pavement so she can hear lots outside.  However we've noticed in the past week or so that's she reacting as if she hears something when there's clearly no noise at all outside (could be the wind, hmmm) but she will continue doing this well past midnight so we need to work on stopping it, as we live in a row of terraces.  She will be laying quietly asleep, then all of a sudden jump up as if a bomb has gone off and rush to the door barking/howling - and its a real howly bark that she does!

I've tried keeping her in here with the door closed, which does quieten her down more, but as we sit on the pc's most night, and we both smoke, I don't like doing that as its a small room which gets smokey quickly.  If I sit in the living room with her, with the living room door shut, she still launches herself off the settee barking loudly and trying to get the door open to get to the hall to bark at whatever she thinks is outside.

I've read other threads on barking which recommends anti-bark collars although these are always met with mixed views on their effectiveness - and I think I read that with nervous barking which territorial barking possibly is, that this can have negative effect.  But as 'quiet' doesn't work, and ignoring doesn't work, do you think this could be my best bet?  Or can anyone suggest any other commands/training tips that are worth giving a go.  Its a very small house so its impossible to restrict her access to the 'hall' - and it doesn't help that this is her favourite place to be/sleep/wait for us to come home either!  Grateful for any tips!

Hello there,
We had a problem with Apollo's (our GSD) barking at night, but it seems to have settled down recently. He would suddenly leap up and start barking at what appeared to be nothing. The behaviourist we were seeing suggested that it was territorial barking as he was reaching the age where this begins to kick in (i.e. 7 months). It was driving us absolutely mad as nights of broken sleep were really not appreciated and as we live in a street of terraced houses we thought the dog warden would be beating our door down!

We tried playing Classic FM on the radio and leaving a light on, but the barking returned after a couple of weeks.  It was then suggested to us to get a plant spray and give him a squirt with water and say "Quiet" firmly at the same time when his barking persisted.  Although we were doubtful that it would work at first, we gave it a go as I was ready to send him to the pound (I wouldn't really, but at 3am in the morning it crossed my mind)!  After a couple of evenings it worked and apart from the occassional "Woof!" he's good as gold.

I will probably be condemmed for suggesting such actions so I'm bracing myself for a whipping! However, it worked for me and Apollo is certainly a happy pooch so it may be worth some thought.
x

i have a problem with my pup, she barks whilst im upstairs, she stands at the bottom behind the stair gate and doesnt give up, its a difficult one to crack because she always wins as ive got to come down eventually, its the only time she barks.

sarstff, my BC does this when both me and my husband are upstairs or he used to.  It would start off with high pitched wining and then escalate until he was barking really loudly almost as if he was telling us off for being upstairs for so long.  We have managed to crack it by staying upstairs until he is quiet and only then coming down, not saying a word to him whilst you are upstairs.  Normally we are both upstairs as we are getting ready for a walk so this probably had something to do with it.  The first time we did it we were upstairs for about 40 minutes before he finally gave up.  We then immediately walked downstairs.  It does take nerves of steel but it worked for us.  We used a similar system when we used to go down the beach and he would go nuts barking in the car as he got himself so excited.  Again we would wait in the car, completely ignore him until he was quiet (I have an estate car).  He doesnt do it anymore.

I am not saying this will work for you but the idea being that because they are getting no reward for barking ie. you arent coming down the stairs eventally they will stop it. 

Good Luck

Claire

thanks for that x

i only have a comment my dog buffy has always barked even when she was six weeks old her breeder said she would be protective.  she also barks more at night when i dont let her in my room even at the slightest noise i guess she wants to let me know shes not pleased. good luck jessthepest