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by chaz on 03 January 2012 - 00:01
Please help, I have a 4 year old German shepherd who seems to be the only dog not to bark when someone knocks the front door or if anyone walks up the path towards the house. If there is someone knocking she just stands up and walks away from the door!!! Is this normal for her not to show any guarding instincts whatsoever?? How can I encourage her to be more aggressive or at least show some kind of warning to intruders.
by Two Moons on 03 January 2012 - 00:01
Perhaps a bit of training.
by Ace952 on 03 January 2012 - 01:01
count your blessings. mine won't shut the hell up
by srbarabs on 03 January 2012 - 02:01
I agree that perhaps some training might help, but there are some things to consider.
1. Does she ever bark in play, or 'speak' on command.
2. What is her attitude towards visitors? Does she approach or is she very stand-offish? Knocking she may read as 'that PITA' is here to disrupt MY family.... oh bother!
3. Does she display any natural protectiveness?
4. Are there other dogs in the house (or were there)? If so, does (did) she stay back and let them 'handle it'?
A lot depends on what she 'learned' as a pup too. She may have learned that someone knocking is no big deal, so she doesn't really care now.
And 'Ace952' is right, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it! My 3 in the house carry on as if they are being throttled when ANYONE comes to the door, or makes noise outside. If you were outside and heard them you would swear I was beating them to death! OH, and they won't stop until they are sure the 'Bad Guy' has been scared away.... or they can come kiss Mommy at the door!
by muttlover25 on 03 January 2012 - 03:01
Does she seem to care that someone is at the door?? Is she nervous and trying to avoid the situation?? What happens when they come inside?? Is she happy to meet them?? If so you could tease her a bit having them come inside saying her name and shutting the door you would be inside getting her excited when she barks open the door and she gets to socialize with the people or gets a treat from you. If she's nervous or avoiding them thats a whole different situation. We had a male Shepherd that would get excited at the door but wouldn't bark, he would whine like crazy. We had my brother come over and pop his head in saying the dogs name and shutting the door not letting the dog great him. He got frustrated pretty quickly and finally let out a big WOOF we all praised him like crazy and my brother came in and played with him etc. It worked great for him.
Amy
Amy
by Sunsilver on 03 January 2012 - 13:01
count your blessings. mine won't shut the hell up
You two need to trade dogs!
When I first got Ranger, at the age of 3, he'd been an outdoor dog all his life, He'd bark loudly at anyone coming up the driveway when he was outside, but hadn't a clue what a knock on the door meant. I REALLLY needed him to bark at the door, as I am nearly deaf, and couldn't hear someone knocking, or the silly doorbell chime.
I asked a local dog trainer to come to my home and help. She knocked on the door, and I 'agitated' Ranger, encouraging him to bark in response to the knock. I clapped my hands, woofed, growled, howled and danced around, stroked and patted him vigorously until FINALLY he began to bark. Then, of course, I heaped praise on him, and gave him lots of treats.
It took about 15 minutes to teach him to do this. He will still bark on command with a bit of encouragement, and, of course, he barks when he hears the doorbell, or someone knocking.
The other day, I was trying to locate a wall stud to hang a shelf, and was doing it by knocking on the wall. I had to put Ranger outside, because every time I knocked, he barked!
Which goes to show you, be careful what you teach your dog, because it's pretty hard to UNteach them!
You two need to trade dogs!
When I first got Ranger, at the age of 3, he'd been an outdoor dog all his life, He'd bark loudly at anyone coming up the driveway when he was outside, but hadn't a clue what a knock on the door meant. I REALLLY needed him to bark at the door, as I am nearly deaf, and couldn't hear someone knocking, or the silly doorbell chime.
I asked a local dog trainer to come to my home and help. She knocked on the door, and I 'agitated' Ranger, encouraging him to bark in response to the knock. I clapped my hands, woofed, growled, howled and danced around, stroked and patted him vigorously until FINALLY he began to bark. Then, of course, I heaped praise on him, and gave him lots of treats.
It took about 15 minutes to teach him to do this. He will still bark on command with a bit of encouragement, and, of course, he barks when he hears the doorbell, or someone knocking.
The other day, I was trying to locate a wall stud to hang a shelf, and was doing it by knocking on the wall. I had to put Ranger outside, because every time I knocked, he barked!
Which goes to show you, be careful what you teach your dog, because it's pretty hard to UNteach them!by Two Moons on 03 January 2012 - 16:01
chaz,
you do not have the experience or the knowledge to make a dog aggressive, you'll only make more problems you can't deal with.
You can make a dog aware of strangers without making one aggressive.
You can encourage barking but same deal, you open a Pandora's box.
It's either there to stay, or gone for good.
Moons.
you do not have the experience or the knowledge to make a dog aggressive, you'll only make more problems you can't deal with.
You can make a dog aware of strangers without making one aggressive.
You can encourage barking but same deal, you open a Pandora's box.
It's either there to stay, or gone for good.
Moons.
by hunger4justice on 05 January 2012 - 06:01
Your dog probably has very strong nerves and that is a good thing. Dogs who can walk the walk do not need to talk the talk. I'd rather have a confident strong nerved dog than a yapper. If you want a lot of barking, get a Chihuahua
by chaz on 09 January 2012 - 17:01
by isachev on 10 January 2012 - 20:01
Well put H4J.
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