First time using this! Can anyone advise, 8month old Border Terrier, seems to have become very territorial recently, going mad barking when anyone passes the house or garden fence!! She is usually very quiet and rarely barks at all. Could it be her hormones, getting ready for her first season?

No. HAVe you heard something about dog training?? Your dog is bored and some breed to tend to be an anoying barker. They can bark forever especially the terriers. I had a terrier husky mutt. She barked when i left until i came back. She was spayed. And she was the best in the obedience class. Also play with her a lot. Let her in the house too.

Marla, thank you for taking the time to reply. However our dog is well trained, has plenty of company, play and exercise. She does stop the barking when commanded to.

As far as i know from Borders are yes they tent to barking when people do pass the house. But you should tell your dog stop it. Unless a burglar is comming in. But when he is in the dog would lick his face.

I have seen a border and she did not barked when people did passed the house. It was up to the owner if she did let her bark.

Most terriers bark, your Border is just behaving normally and following what her instincts tell her to do now that she is growing up. It is hormones and maturing in general. I have a 6-month old Cairn and I am counting the weeks before she finds her full "voice." If your Border is like most, the barks start to disappear the closer the intruder gets .. and the tail starts wagging in excitement instead at meeting a human instead. Unbelievable barking when the doorbell rings and instant affection for friend or stranger as soon as the door opens.

You can teach her "no bark", but I would expect to use it very often. :-)

Stacey

Thanks Stacey!! At least I now know it's normal, have watched her barking today (doesn't bark constantly) and she does indeed do as you described!!

Weatherwoman