Hi Janette. I would sign up for an obedience class with him. It'll teach you both how to communicate with each other. Try pet store chains (I think it's against the rules of this board for me to post any particular store names)but there are some very good classes out there. I just recently signed my pup up for a course, and it's great. I'm learning things I didn't know before. It's a lot of fun, too.

Hi Janette. I would try distracting him when he starts barking and then praising him after he stops barking and is doing something else that's acceptable. Better yet, try keeping him engaged before the typical barking starts and praise for as long as he doesn't start barking. If the barking starts, I would give a stern "nay" and then try the distracting technique. I don't know how bad the situation is, but if it's really bad, you may have to find the distance from your husband and son where your dog is comfortable without barking, and then you'll need to gradually move closer. If the barking starts and you can't distract, you're too close. Of course, like I said before, because of my past experiences, I am on the over cautious side and your situation may not be serious enough to even have to worry about that.

Our Lucy, the bulldog we've had for a little less than 2 months, is quite dog aggressive and at first barked uncontrollably every time she saw one, even in the distance. My goal right now is not for her to cozy up to other dogs, but for her to be able to control herself around them. We're using the techniques described above and she's made pretty amazing progress. With her, in combination with the above, I'm also using the clicker and tiny pieces of super-cooked-up hot dogs (cut up and cooked in the microwave until shriveled) as a reward. Clickers are available at pretty much all of the pet supply stores, around here at least. If you're not familiar with clicker training and are interested in it, do a search on the internet; I'm sure there are also plenty of books on it. We learned to use it with our last dog and it works beautifully. Basically, you teach the dog that the clicker (which, not surprisingly, makes a "click" sound) is very, very good (by starting out, for example, by giving a little bit of the hot dog or cheese or something in conjunction with the "click"). Then you click whenever the dog does something you like. Sometimes he gets a food reward, sometimes he doesn't; but he alwasy knows the possibility of a great reward is tied to the clicker and is hence responsive to the sound. It provides a very immediate and consistent (can be easily be used by everyone in the family) method of praise. It's fun to use the clicker to modify behavior, teach manners, and also teach fun games and tricks. Just something to consider. . .

Sorry this is so long. I got carried away with the clicker training method; I think it's so great!

Good luck!

As some people have pointed out there are different reasons to bark, and they need a different approach.

If he is afraid and is raising the alarm, he should be ignored or removed from the situation. Walk to the fridge, and call him. Praise him for coming.

If he barks to get attention, his whole attitude is different. His ears are turned forward and he stares at you. In that case walking away is the best option.

Attend a dogtrainingclass, and find one that uses rewardbased methods. There you'll learn how to train your dog. You can teach your dog to be quiet on command (never shout, just place your finger on your lips). You can let him do "tricks" for attention, to show him that you are boss.

It will really make a difference!

Good luck!

Ineke

I never thought of it that way (petting as praising him for barking). I was just thinking I would make the situation calm and not threatening. Those are great ideas about letting the boys take over some of the feeding, playing, letting out to potty, etc.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Such as what should I do instead of petting/talking nicely? Remove him/them from the situation? Have the boys feed him treats so he knows they're nice guys (which they are). I sometimes wonder if in those first tender weeks, the 14 weeks before I owned him, if there was any male/dominance/abuse issues with the owners. I picked him up at the airport so I never met the husband of the breeder but the breeder was a very sweet older lady.

No expert either, but yeah, it sounds like he thinks he's being praised for barking at them.

Like Eileen, I have had a dog with aggression issues (his were associated with nervousness)and tend to be a little extra cautious. Unfortunately, when I first got the dog who had the issues, I actually made them worse because when he started barking and acting funny, I would pet him, talk nicely to him, try to make him feel better, etc. We went pretty quickly to a trainer and I was told to immediately stop doing that.

Petting a dog and talking nicely to him while he is doing something you don't like encourages him to do it more. He thinks you like what he's doing and that he's making you happy. The behavior is likely to continue, if not intensify. I agree with Eileen on handing over some of the more rewarding activities (from the dog's perspective) to your husband and son. You might want to also consult with a dog trainer. (I would suggest working with one who only uses positive reinforcement methods.)

I'm no expert, for sure, but I read your post and do know that petting and soothing while the barking is going on is not a good thing. I bet with the proper guidance, this will be an easy fix. Good luck!

...Chunk can be quite the little barker too - in his case it's ALL about attention... He doesn't do it to me, but he does it to Mark and to my brother Christian. He'll sit in front of them and (RWOOOOOF!!!) demand their attention!! They comply by either petting him and/or picking up a toy and playing. So the ugly cycle continues.... he barks, they play... just the way he likes it.

As I said, he doesn't do it to me and that's because when he does - I walk away. Or, if he's particularly insistent, he'll get a time-out. I've made it pretty clear to him that he cannot demand my attention so he doesn't bother.

I don't know if this helps you at all with your situation - but you might try walking away whenever he starts his barking routine. See if the absence of attention curbs the behavior?

Just my $.02. Whatever the cause, I hope you're able to resolve it quickly.

I have two that will bark at the strangest things as well. I am not sure why he is barking at your son or oldest son but I personally don't associate it the same as barking at strange objects. Perhaps that is because I had a dog that barked and even growled at my daughter and showed agression. I would probably try and relinquish some of the reigns of caring for the dog to your husband and oldest son - feeding, walking, giving toys to play with and even when play time is over taking the toys up and putting them away and treats.

I could be totally off base, but because I had an agressive dog I tend to be more cautious. I would try this for a couple of weeks and see if he tends to act different toward them when he sees that where his meals, walks, toys and playtime will be coming from.