Hi All,

I haven't been on for ages, and the last post was asking about a new Dobbie entering my flock which is my lodgers.  Well, said Dobbie joined us just before Christmas, adores the children, is loving and beautiful and adorable.... BUT she   barks, at anyone passing the window, at the postman, at cats, everytime she goes out in the garden, basically, anytime she isn't being loved by one of the other dogs or one of us, she is on the defence and barks her little lungs out.  This is becoming a bit of a problem, as the last 'wee' of the night is around midnight, and she barks like there are around 20 intruders ready to break in - when there is nothing really.  Bought a bark control contraption which goes on a fence, and it doesn't make an iota of difference, same with a bark collar, which works in the same way.  We've also done the hosepipe trick, but this isn't really practical as at midnight, in the freezing cold, in pj's, jumping over potential 'mines' in the garden to squirt lil ole barky, is just daft.  Any suggestions would be gratefully received,

thanks, Clare x

When I saw Dobe, I was going to say welcome to the breed.  They are barkers.  (at least here they are, known for it)

I personally would hyper stimulate her to it.  If you can get someone to walk across your garden while your dog is inside, and if she barks, correct her for it.  Continue to do it, until she stops.

But you do have a breed meant for guarding, and they do use their barks to warn you, as well as the people passing buy.  So I dont know how effective it may be to try and train a dobe out of barking. 

If you find a way to make the Dobe stop barking, unless it is from what I suggested, let me know.  My aunt has several that she is trying to get to stop barking.  She has done most things, other then having them surgically debarked.

Enjoy your Dobe!  (Love the breed, absolutely amazing dogs!!!!)

I would avoid the things that stimulate her to bark if you are not there.  No access to windows etc. 

With the going out last thing take her out on lead and insist she comes straight in if she barks.  If you are consistent with removing the kick out of the barking it will reduce.

Of course you need to be able to get her attention.  I would keep a house-line on her and cal her to you when she barks, and get her there by tugging the line if need be.  This should distract her,a nd when you have her at your feet say quiet,a nd reward her with a  tasty tiny treat fro being quiet.

Next time she goes to bark at passerby or what have you.  Cal her, tug and command of quiet, reward.

Pretty soon you will find her coming to you for a reward whenever she would have previously barked.

A nice way of doing it is door bell rings, dog barks, you call her, say quiet, then treat and thank you, and then go and answer the door.

I would avoid the things that stimulate her to bark if you are not there.  No access to windows etc. 

I wasnt saying to do it when she wasnt there.  When the dog is in the house, and so is the owner, have someone walk past the windows and such, if she barks, correct her for it.  When she is quiet, then reward her for it.

Sorry if it was a bit confusing

I was just covering the aspects you hadn't, not contradicting :D

I know a lot of dobes and living on a busy street there is no need to set up situations for guarding behaviour. 

Distraction to something more appropriate works very well with the dobes I know.  Including ignoring dogs barking from their gates when walking them.

Oh something I forgot to mention, is your gate solid, as if the dog cannot see everything that comes past this will also avoid some barking, works well with mine, just wish next door would do the same for the JRT's, as they sometimes set mine off, though they largely ignore them..

My aunt tries a spray bottle sometimes, they dont know where the water is coming from, but when they bark they get sprayed with water.  Works quick, it worked really well on jumping and moving xpens (her 7 month dobe bitch moves her xpen around the house.)

The water spray works great with my breed genrally, but the dobes I know aren't that bothered. :D

my aunt hasnt had a problem with the water spray on Dobes, has been using it since she started breeding in the 70s.  Although, she does get some dogs, who dont care about it, mainly pesky bitches, the ones that bunt you all the time, the ones with some sass  lol

One of my dogs used to bark a lot - guarding breed too!  When it was late we had to take him out on the lead to do his business that way he didnt bark and annoy the neighbours.....

What brainless has said is the way to go. I'm afraid dobes are a guarding breed though and if my dobe didn't bark, I'd take her to the vets for a DNA test!

Just to say thank you all for your advice, and the lead at night when she does her business does seem the way to go (no more early nights for the lodger! oops!)  The fence round the property is solid, so she barks if she hears something, or notices someone walking on the fire escape of the flats behind.  There is a dog in one of the terraced houses on one side of my property, and I am suprised there is still a fence panel there!!  The main window to the front of my property is the dining room, which now has the stair gate closed to the kitchen (no actual door) which curbs her barking somewhat. 

Will let the lodger know the good news about the long lead training, although I think he is willing to try anything at the moment.  Luckily I only have one neighbour (as such) and they love dogs... phew! 

We have a little cav who is a barker (should say yapper there ) at anyone who stands too close to the window or in fact anything she does not like on the telly , water worked for a while but not anymore . So we are trying all sorts now , so if you find a solution will you please let me know .. thanks

And me my cavs are the same

Just a question, (hoping not to get flamed), but can UK dog owners have their dogs debarked? 

Here you can, and the vet snips the vocal cords, and they sound like they have larengitis (sp?).  I didnt get it done, although it was offered, and suggested by other breeders in the breed, but I thought it was cruel.  But just wondering if it is a practice done over there.

Mostly here, its toy breeds that are debarked, but I know of other breeds that are. 

I believe it is illegal in the UK.

No, debarking dogs, and declawing cats, are illegal operations over here.

> Just a question, (hoping not to get flamed), but can UK dog owners have their dogs debarked? 

Debarking like cropping has been banned for over 100 years