Barking Troubles

[SapheraGirl]

I had lunch with a friend of mine that is having some 'barking' issues with her Great Pyrenees. I told her about this forum and she is going to try to join. Until then, if it's okay, I'll pose the question and see if you guys can help.

Her boy, Magic is almost 5. He's healthy, loving and sweet...and a huge barker. According to my friend, that's very normal for the breed. She does not leave him outside for long periods of time, but she admits that when he is out he barks excessively. He also barks when he is in the house. Magic does wear a bark collar which helps but does not eliminate the barking.

Here is the issue. A neighbor left a a note on her door that read, "Shut your dog up or I'm calling the authorities." My friend feels horrible but doesn't know what to do. According to the law, she can be fined even if the dog is in her house, if he is disruptive. Again, she admits he barks a lot but she addresses the barking when he's outside as well as, when she is home and he is inside. ((She works part time and her schedule is flexible))

Her dog is well excessed, well cared for, he's just a noisy boy that barks at everything he see.

Any suggestions of what to do?

[sam.i.am]

Does he bark due to stresses or just when he hears something?
If he's bored or stressed she can try keeping him busy or using things like the thundershirt or the CD that Kim has been using "Through a Dog's Ear"
However, it is totally normal for a pyr to bark excessively, though.

Has she tried leaving radio on so that he doesn't hear random noises as easily; giving him puzzle toys or kongs that keep him busy for short periods of time (sometimes dogs bark most right after you've left, so giving them something to do for 10 or 15 minutes is sometimes helpful). There are noise-activated voice thingies that will come on when he barks and you can record your own message, "NO Barking, Magic!" if he's trained to respond to a command.

She can try to teach him TO bark and then try to teach him NOT to bark, but she first has to teach him what barking is and reward it when she asks for it. Reward not barking. Teach him when he's to bark...

She can always post a message on her door, "training to curb barking in progress" so that at least the person who is so mad knows she's trying to do something...and if they do send the authorities over, they may give her some time to make improvements.

Usually, for noise ordinance things, a dog is only supposed to bark for a certain number of seconds at a time. If it's beyond that, you can be fined. I was always worried about that with Oliver, but we got his barking to a semi-decent level. He had a very excessive pyr bark as well. It's not easy....

[Itsapyr]

Mine never shut up. It is a very hard thing to control. It is what they are and the main reason they are given up. I just had to go out after Jasper after 10 minutes of constant never take a breath barking. It is a constant battle of redirect. They actually do not recommend no bark collars on pyrs. It can have an opposite effect of giving them something to bark at. Has she tried a good trainer with something other than electric correction. Where does she live? I could see if there are any Pat Miller recommended trainers in her area.

Here is a link to Pats referrals
http://www.peaceablepaws.com/referra...e=pmctReferral

[SapheraGirl]

sam.i.am - Those are great questions which, unfortunately, I can't answer (LOL). I'm going to cut and paste it in an email and get some answers as well as, share your suggestions.

Itsapyr - I'm going to cut and paste your response, too. She lives in Erie, PA.

[sam.i.am]

Oh, yeah! I am so glad that Pam mentioned that about the bark collars. They are not good for pyrs at all. I never tried that, but I did try shaking a can with pennies in it when Oliver was a little guy -- it was the advice that several people gave me to curb his barking (bad idea). It is supposed to interrupt them (most dogs), but with Oliver he barked and barked and barked and barked....and, you get the picture. They don't respond to that kind of thing.

A LGD-savvy behaviourist may be really helpful. Most behaviourists (at least in my experience) are not familiar with the quirks of LGDs and that makes things unproductive. I'd recommend that she interview behaviourists based on their experience with LGDs. They are trained differently than many types of dogs and really (IMO) need to feel that they are part of the process -- like you are working together -- not that they are supposed to do something randomly just cuz you want them to They won't work that way (in my experience).

[Itsapyr]

Yeh Sam you are right about that. Its one reason I do like Pat Miller. She has worked with several pyrs and seems to understand them. What I took for goofiness behavior with Jas was actually stress. I also tried the pennies in the can...and a squirt bottle. Jasper's answer to the squirt bottle is...keep barking and when I get within reach with the bottle dive onto the sofa and bury his face in the pillows. Stay real still and then lift his face out real slow to see if I am still there. If I am stick face back in the pillow until I am gone. It drives me nuts. He so KNOWS he is supposed to shut up but like a kid has to do it just one more time. I resorted to taking the top off of the damned bottle and pouring it over his head.

[SapheraGirl]

Thanks guys. I forwarded your responses.

[Cole's Mom]

That sounds like Cole. When I am sitting outside in the backyard he will bark at EVERYTHING especially the neighbors dog who antagonizes him through the fence but their dog rarley barks. This means we have to go inside and I say we because he will cry if he is not with me. So we go inside unless I get him to stop....cookies and peanut butter sometimes work.

[MuttleyCrew]

One of Bryn's other names is Sir Barksalot. Its what they do. I just try to redirect. A LOT. ALL THE TIME. And give them rediculously complicated yet irresistable things to work with like frozen peanut butter and cheese Kongs...that is if you have a dog that likes Peanut Butter (ahem Abigail Earlene). Bryn will bark at a stroller three blocks down while he is IN the house and the drapes are drawn...its what they do. They announce themselves to predators. Usually stuffing their faces with something complex shuts them up...we'll see what Miss Bailey has to say....god help me. Good luck to your friend.

[SapheraGirl]

Thanks! Erica (my friend) is in Cleveland today. So, she won't get these responses until tomorrow. I think the most upsetting part is that her neighbor is being so difficult.

[MuttleyCrew]

Maybe a bark collar for the neighbor? just kidding...

[SapheraGirl]

HA!!!!! I'll suggest she sneak it on him :-)

[Itsapyr]

Has she talked to the neighbor at all? Maybe he works odd hours and even though its not at night the dog wakes him. She could tell him that she is checking out some special training help and ask him to please give her a chance to see if she can get him some better training. Pyrs are not quiet barkers LOL. I love mine to death but there are days I would love to duck tape Jasper's mouth shut.

[SapheraGirl]

I think there is history between the neighbors but I'm not sure. I know they've been working on the barking for a long time. So, my guess is that they've already tried talking to him. Again, I could be worng.