I wonder if anyone could help me or guide me. I have a 3 year old westie who is fantastic in every way but he does have a fear of noises, well that is my assessment of the problem. Whenever he hears a helicopter going over the house, or a car driving down the farm lane at the back of the house or hears children playing in the street, he starts to whine and whimper and desperately wants to go outside to bark. I appreciate that he thinks he is the Boss and he is protecting us but to be honest I am dreading the summer as it is a constant battle. It doesnt sound a major problem but I can be opening the back door to let him out up to 40 times a day. Please help!! Thanks in anticipation

Hello again - I should have also mentioned that I have been reading the Dog Listener, which is great, and from that I think that I can determine that Mack thinks he is the Alpha dog and he thinks its his role, but I dont know what to do to help him.

Have you tried reward for not responding? you can get tapes or cd to help - or make your own. Personally I dont think it is so much of a dominance issue as just 'protecting' you against sounds you cannot hear. Every time he makes a fuss you respond??? If you can control the noise you can control him? So teach him that the propper response is to ignore.

thanks for that - you are completely correct he is trying to protect. Mack is not at all a foodie so I will see what I can do to reward him - thanks for your reply - Gillie & Mackie xxx