Does anyone knows hows to train an old dog new ...er...manners?

My Prissy (whom I got recently and is 3 YO) barks when she hits the floor in the morning....but will not bark until someone is almost in the house.

She will bark at any unusual noise I might make in the house too. Jo

Jo, you haven't had her that long, have you? Remember that dogs, no matter the age, have an adjustment period when their entire existence is changed. And, you now have to teach her how you expect her to behave. BTW, I have never been successful in teaching my dogs how I expect them to behave, but I hear that is what you're supposed to do, LOL! Seriously, though... she may still be adjusting, she may be afraid, she may have had issues from her earlier life. I trust you and she will find the right balance.

Brenda

Brenda...as I said on our "other site" she was given to me by a family who's owner had alzhimers...so we don't know much about her history...

I do know that she doesn't like men as well as women...and especially if the man has a hat on...I wonder if a man has beaten her with his hat?

She is very happy to OWN me now...but that barking gets me....when the phone rings she jumps off my lap and runs outside barking! Jo

Awwww, poor Prissy. She might have been abused as you say. Sending you some doggy patience.

Thanks, Brenda....

I'm not sure that dogs with behavior problems can be blamed on abusive treatment. I know that my dogs have never been abused and I still have behavior problems. One of them I'm pretty sure it is a family trait as her mother does the same thing. I'm referring to barking at sounds and movement. I think they have a tendency towards being anxious and the best thing for them is to do something that helps them create confidence for themselves. I've put my problem child on the treadmill to give her some structured walking time that I can't do outside. I saw changes in her right after the first time. Sadly, it hasn't changed her barking habits yet, but I maintain hope otherwise I would feel totally frustrated and take it out on her little fuzzy self.

Another thing that is a confidence-builder is clear understandings of what you expect of your dog, for both of you. If you start something, follow through, don't give in midway. That makes them unsure of who is boss and they start thinking that they are. That's not good for them or their relationships with people.

One suggestion is the NILIF approach. That stands for nothing in life is free. They have to do something to win your approval. It might be as simple as being petted after you've given them the command for "Come". They don't get to do anything with which you disagree. As I have found no sure-fire way to stop the barking, I'm assuming that it's a long-term process. It was with my other problem barker and she has improved, even if only slightly.

Just don't get hung up on what might-have-been. Deal with what is right now. That's how dogs live their lives - in the moment, so any discipline has to come within a few seconds to be useful, the same for approval.

Good advice, Judy!

OK...But when she first came to me after Tessa was gone...for a week she DID NOT make a sound...I was worried that she was unable to bark...now I think she just loves the sound of her own voice!! LOL Jo

I think it's not unusual for dogs not to bark until they consider it their territory. I love when that happens. Not so much once they feel the need to announce EVERYTHING!

Jo, count yourself lucky that you don't live in a busy part of Phoenix where the sirens go off frequently, day and night. My dogs bark at anything they see or hear but when the sirens go off, so do they. It is a chorus of howls to see who sounds most like the siren. They didn't always do this and I think they must have gotten started by neighbor dogs' siren songs. It can be annoying as all get out, but sometimes I just howl along with 'em. You should see how embarrassed they are for me when I do that!

LOL! Ya' know, dogs are dogs. Sometimes they don't conform.

OK..Here is my newest problems...

I decided to train Prissy to NOT bark in the house...so each time she barks first..then goes through the doggie door to continue barking...I close the doggie door...I let her wait awhile before I open it again.

I have now started to close the doggie door so she can't run in and out to bark...that little stinker has learned how to push up the cover of the door!!

I love her though....LOL

I

Jo,
You know it's good for both of you to lavishly praise her good behavior! Pets, hugs, sweet talk and few treats for little doxie! I've had 3 Doxie's and adore them. Such personality!

Lots of personality...but hard headed...I've had 3 also...and theya re the only breed I WANT!

LOL all the German dogs are hard headed. I have a neighbor that calls the police every time "my" dog barks. The police have about had it with this guy as an officer stood outside my house talking to my neighbor and the dog never barked in the 20 minutes he was there. The problem is that I back up to 3 houses and two of them have little nippy barking dogs in them. They actually come out the doggie door barking and don't stop until they go inside. Well my dog hears them and barks back ..... and which dog do you thing the idiot hears..no not the little nippy dogs but mine because she is louder.

I have stooped to bark collars but she's not stupid she shakes her neck until the collar moves away from her throat and then she starts barking again. So unless you want a dog that will not warn you of people on your property then learn to live with a dog that barks...I have.

NOTE: Rotties do not bark every often in fact they do not give you a warning before they attack so if you want a dog that is quiet get a Rottie. All the nasty things people say about them are not true, they are a very loving dog and the ones that have attacked people have been trained to do so.

Ihave about got Prissy so that she will wait until she gets off my lap...or the couck to bark...right beside my recliner is the first doggie door...I tell her Don't bark"...she slows down and CREEPS along, but as soon as her front feet clears the doggie door (this puts her in the sun room and another doggie door to go)...she starts yapping.

Jo that's real progress!!

I just got home after being gone for 2 weeks...Prissy stayed with a friend. since this morning I have only heard her bark ONCE!!! Did friend Lisa teach her something? I sure hope so. Jo

I thought I would give you an update on Prissy's barking.

I left her with my dog sitter for 2 weeks and they have a 3 month old baby in the house...Prissy fell smack dab in love with him. I don't know what caused the difference but since I've brought her home she has done very little un-necessary barking!!

What ever happened I have Lisa to thank for it. Jo