some watchdog - Page 1

I'm almost embarassed to admit what a terrible watchdog Trigger is when in the house. He owns the backyard, but in the house I've only heard him bark 2-3 times in the last year and a half. I try my best to get him excited when the doorbell rings but still not a peep out of him. He just follows me to the front door so he can take a whiff of whoever is out there. Any advice on how to get a few woofs out of him in the house? He eats and sleeps in the house for crying out loud, you'd think he'd be more protective of his stuff.

This is just a thought, but try having someone approach your home from an unlikely source, like a window instead of the door and see what reaction Trigger gives. My pup never barks when DH comes home through the regular route. However, one time he approached our picture window in the dark, something pup never was accustomed to, and he was barking and fussing like a good guard should. He just could be a smart boy and knows you aren't feeling threatened, so why should he?

~Deb

Be glad he doesn't go off anytime somebody shows up.  With ours in the house in can get quite loud....... 

A stable dog won't go off for something as simple as a doorbell. They're smarter than we give them credit for. They'll bark if something's amiss.

One of the few times he did bark was in the middle of the night and really had me worried as it was such a rare occurance. I looked outside and the motion sensor light was on in the driveway.I guess it is possible if I'm not worried neither is he.

Not sure why but every female I have owned, no matter what the lines, go off like a siren at the least noise at the door. It really pisses me off when its someone they know and won't quit even when they know who it is. Their tail is wagging but its like they are on a remote and someone hasn't hit the off switch! But each male I have had will run to the door or look out the window, if in the yard go to the gate and wait to see if they know who is here. My boy I thought kinda so-so but the other day my son had his friend come over to get a jug of hydraulic oil. Ivan went to the gate and when the guy (around 28 years old and he did not know) approached I thought he was going to go threw it! Maybe its a male thing (though I hate to admit it) to be more sensible.

Trailrider, funny you should mention your female as my female will bark if a flea farts 6 blocks away. She will also bark at people she knows with her tail wagging and it does get to be annoying. She is over by the ex right now as she will be in heat soon. Have to admit the peace and quiet is nice. It's my friends that always make fun of Trigger as he doesn't bark at them when they stop over. They call him Barney Fife :(

If the dog barks reliably outside, put the barking on cue (on command) while outside.  Then start to give the command inside when you feel it is appropriate, but I agree with Puputz.

Lisa

Our dogs are stable.   I think you are makeing a very generalized comment when say say dogs that bark ar doorbells are not stable. 

I tend to agree with Puputz.  I don't think we give dogs enough credit.  Sometimes we give them too much.  I am not a dog and my hearing is not as good.  I can tell the difference between a semi and a sedan.  I could probably pick out a Ford Mustang with my ears because I owned one.  Dogs rely on more of their senses than we do.  Most dogs know who is pulling into the drive on the sound alone.  It's pretty amazing, but everyone walks a certain way.  We all have our own rhythm, and the dogs pick up on this.  So, we're walking up to the door and another sense kicks in.  Now the dog can rely on smell.  I know everybody thinks their door is sealed tight, but I would say that almost every door has a fair amount of leakage.  Dogs can tell if it's one of their buddies at the door before you even open it.

I also wouldn't worry too much about barking at everything that comes to the door.  It can be a real pain in the ace!  I try to explain to people that know less about dogs than I.  The worst thing you can have is a dog that needs to be locked up when people come over.  That's the worst type of protection I've ever heard of.  What would happen if you hired a painter and the guy turned into a wacko?  He comes out of your bedroom with your panties on his head and a big old hunting knife in his hand.  Now, if you had a confident, social, accepting, and protective dog, then this wouldn't be a problem.  The problem is that you had to lock Cujo up because you were too worried that the painter would be in danger of this dog.  I do understand that we are just talking about barking and not protection.  Some dogs don't feel the need to bark.  Think of the reasons a dog will bark.  1.)Feels threatened 2.) Feels challenged 3.) wants something----Which one of these do you want your dog to be when someone comes to your door?  Sure, I like my dogs to let me know someone is here and also let them know they are here, but I don't mind them being selective.  I'm sure most of the people on this site can distinguish the different types of barks their dogs have.  If not, get in tune with your dog.  They are speaking their own language. 

In my opinion, if you want a good watch dog, go buy a Parrot!  They never shut up.