Barking whining Scnauzer

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

Hi I am new to this forum and unsure how to use it. I posted a thread and got no replies so am trying here. My 7 yr old rescue schnauzer whines when we are going for a walk, when he meets a dog or human and at dinner time. He barks when I throw a ball for him and on occasions runs and jumps in front of my husband barking. We have tried aversion therapy, ignoring him, turning our backs. Even reverse psychology where I taught him to bark on command and rewarded him but gave no rewards when he did his anti social barking. So many people have said there is no hope now ignore it, but I am sure we would all be happier if we could cure this behaviour. I would be grateful for any assistance.

Regards Triss

[Pawsitive]

Hello,

Do you know why he is whining? Is he excited? anxious? fearful?

Once you know the underlying cause, you will be able to modify the behaviour more effectively.

With boredom barking (if that is what he is doing) the best remedy IS to ignore the behaviour because each time he gets a response (including negative attention) he is being reinforced.

However, I know it can be frustrating so why not work on distraction training? If he's barking, ask for a down or another incompatible behaviour - you could also get him a special mat / bed or area where he can 'go settle' (it's a handy command to teach!) (he could be rewarded with stuffed kongs or something extra specially tasty to reinforce this.)

Is there any pattern to his behaviour? is he barking at your husband at specific times? When he meets new people, how is he interacting with them? Is he afraid?

How long have you had your rescue dog for?

Apologies for all the questions, just trying to get a clearer idea

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

We have had Finn for two and a half years. The barking etc is excitement. We have tried all sorts of aversion therapy none of which worked. We separated him from the pack ( I have two other dogs) when he whined and barked, that made him worse. I have tried all the words, quiet, shh etc so now I say nothing cross my arms and wait till he is quiet but as soon as I go towards the door he starts again. I am trying to train him not to go thru the door first as well which is tricky when you have other dogs waiting. The thing with my husband is a mystery, he really plays him up, but then he has never disciplined Finn and just "gives love"Finn is not afraid of people or anything else for that matter. He is a lover not a fighter despite being attacked twice. He is genuinely pleased to see people and dogs alike. If there is any trouble between dogs he breaks it up.He has a lovely nature but is just soooo noisy. I would be grateful for any advice. Oh , I have tried getting him to sit when he is whining before a walk. He sits but then when I put the lead on it starts again !!

[Pawsitive]

Hiya,

how are things going with finn?

Actually, what you are doing now - ignoring him - is the best solution. It can be incredibly annoying and frustrating but if you respond every time he barks, he will learn it still gets him attention (good or bad!)

Ignore as much as possible then the second he is quiet, reward him - be it with a game / treat or whatever it is that he wanted to do in the first place - ie get to the other dogs etc

If he whines / gets overexcited when you put the lead on - take it straight back off again! Put it down and go and sit down or do something else. I know it might take some time but if you only reward him (ie he goes through the front door) when he is quiet, he will start to learn what you want him to do.

It's a bit longwinded to explain quickly but I hope this makes some sort of sense!

[RobD-BCactive]

Originally Posted by fredandtrissa@hotmail.com

My 7 yr old rescue schnauzer whines when we are going for a walk, when he meets a dog or human and at dinner time. He barks when I throw a ball for him and on occasions runs and jumps in front of my husband barking.

The dog whining is normally a sign that he's anxious/frustrated about something, he may be having trouble calming himself so whines. Unfortunately "Aversion Therapy" is not going to help such a dog but increase the stress, think about it... Stamping out symptoms does not address the underlying issue!

It was not quite clear from your first post quite how he's reacting when meeting other dogs and people. A Behaviourist can use something called BAT protocol to encourage dogs to express calming signals & calm themselves where they have trouble approaching greeting but are friendly once there. But that needs a real qualified behaviourist who should be member of ADPT.

Dog's in Multi-dog households often miss out on meeting stranger dogs & people compared to single dog households, who have to socialise to allow dog-dog intereactions.

Now having a bark on cue is a good idea. Ignoring excitement or attention seeking barking is part of a good strategy to deal with it. But you also should reward any calm behaviour non-barking.

I think what you should do, is train the dog seperately from the others, perhaps take them all out, let all but this one get back in and greet your Hubby, then do a discreet training session 1:1.

When he gets excited ignore and stop, then peek out of corner of eye, reward any sitting etc with attention, or if need be ask for a sit or lie down, and reward that.

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

Many thanks for your comments folks. Since posting my problem I have been using the ignore method and eventually he does calm down. But the next walk we do it all again. I have been doing it for two weeks , twice a day, he doesn't seem to get it cos we start afresh every walk. I am also trying to teach him not to go thru the front door first and establish my leadership. My husband has been trying to train him too as I think Finn doesn't respect him as a leader, just a playmate, thats not going too well. We will persevere and if we succeed I will post a victory message !!! Thanks again, its nice to know people care enough to help.

Triss

[RobD-BCactive]

If your dog likes playing with Hubby he has it made, because he can use that play as the reward using "Premack Principal". Leadership is really just about the dog knowing what you want clearly and trusting your judgement, calm, even temper and consistency are key. I let my dog go way ahead, as are Working Sheepdogs on farms, and they don't revolt!

Simply start having the dog do somethign simple, like a Sit! that he knows already and reward it, with play. Adds vareity. I have my dog do things like "Here!" or "Sit" at distance before I throw object into a lake he loves to swim in after things for instance. It's training for free.

I like a website blog with many articles on ideas to calm, train & understand dogs better Crazy Canines | Pet Central's Pawsitive Dawgs Blog! some of it is links to videos, or other articles.

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

Well we are getting there, I think. I have got it down to about 45 seconds before he stops whining when we are going out. I keep my back to him until he is quiet and have only had a couple of slip ups when I get the lead.I go through an open front door and then get his lead and bring him to me. If this is all done in silence he gets liver cake. I am really pleased because amongst all this I have other dogs in the house beside my own as I board them when their owners go away................and they take part too!! The rewarding with play is not an option as this is another time when Finn is really noisy. When I throw a ball he barks from the time I lift my arm until he has the ball in his mouth, when he drops it at my feet he starts again. If I dont throw it he goes silent then when I lift my arm it kicks off again. He loves to swim for sticks but the same thing applies with his barking. In fact he quite often waits until I bend down and then barks down my ear !!! I dont know if we can ever cure that problem.But some progress is better than none !! Thanks everyone who offered help.

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

Having persevered with " we are not going anywhere until you are calm and quiet" we had a major set back some 6 weeks ago when Finn got a sceptic foot and had to be left behind for a couple of walks. He was just like when we first got him.....separation anxiety and major excitement at walkies time. We are now gradually getting there again and he has cut his pad and under a " no walkies" rule. It seems I am doomed to a life of whining and barking and really am now just resigned to the fact he will always be like this. He still barks at the approach of people and dogs and randomly barks when he is in the car or even on a walk.Everyone knows when he is in the park because he is so noisy...to be honest.........I give up.

[fredandtrissa@hotmail.com]

Well we consulted an "amichien" behaviourist who advised Finn was the pack leader and needed to be demoted. We did everything we were told for three weeks but baulked at her suggestion Finn should not go for walks for at least 2 weeks. Eventually we gave in so that he went" on the hunt "at our convenience not his and I gesture walked him round the garden to be in control.The result is he ran away from home !!! Several times. We have now after a month of non walking given up again. He still whines at walkies and barks and whines on the walk. We spent £ 160.00 and got nowhere. It seems he is beyond help/training.