Frequently, a client’s dog will herald my approach by barking furiously while standing on the back of a couch in the window. Often enough this very client wants help teaching this dog not to bark at passing pedestrians with or without dogs of their own.
As with most behavioral challenges, there are both active and passive solutions that might be employed. Passive solutions range from the obvious if impractical — move the couch — to the absurd. One’s mind boggles at the complex arrays of blackout curtains, baby gates and portable fences humans contrive, impeding human mobility while making a mockery of interior design.
One can teach one’s dog that she is not permitted on furniture that enables her stints on sentry duty. I have yet to meet the dog that patrols windows or perimeters for entertainment.
Since, however, the perch or place by the screen door may be a source of warmth and/or fresh air of which Fifi is not to be deprived (during more clement seasons than our current deluge), I prefer that my clients teach her not to be on sentry duty even in that location.
This in turn can be taught using both active and passive approaches. We must teach Fifi when she signals her intention to ward off threats by going from relaxed posture to “battle stations”. At that point we might correct Fifi by warning her and then praising her when she “stands down”, the active approach. Or we might call Fifi to us in warm and excited tones, the passive approach.
I witnessed a dog who, after a single active correction, “checked in” by making eye contact with my client the next time she jumped up. The client praised her; she relaxed, and ignored subsequent passers-by.
Not every dog learns as quickly, not every human teaches as effectively so quickly either. Patience, persistence and flexibility, however, always carry the day. It’s just a matter of time. (Apologies to Brook Benton).
— Submitted by Peter Levy, Bark Buster’s Certified Trainer
