[SusieK]

I've had Gretta (Pointer Mix?) for 5 months and recently she has started barking at me if I say No to something or scold her. It is different from random barking because she looks right at me and it feels like a demand or sass-back. Otherwise she is a very quiet dog. Her only barks are at me when I scold her or tell her no to something she wants.

Not sure how to respond to it. Ideas?
Thanks, I am brand new here and looks like a great place!
Susie

 

[Buzzu2]

Hello and welcome

Don't feel bad..I have 3 dogs and 2 of them sas me as well. Unfortunately I have little advice so I just grin and bear it.
It sounds as though she has totally settled in.
I have had mine since 8 weeks old and they are very vocal when I scold them..They also gang up me making things even worse..

 

[SusieK]

Hello and welcome

Don't feel bad..I have 3 dogs and 2 of them sas me as well. Unfortunately I have little advice so I just grin and bear it.
It sounds as though she has totally settled in.
I have had mine since 8 weeks old and they are very vocal when I scold them..They also gang up me making things even worse..

Thanks, it's just so rude and a little bit intimidating because she is big. I really don't like it. Your doggy looks adorable!

 

[CachetheBC]

I personally like a dog with a bit of 'sass', (spunk) but not everyone does.

When she barks at you, try turning your back and walking away from her. Once she is quiet, you want to 'capture' the 'quiet', 'mark' (yes ) and reward her for being quiet, over time you can gradually increase the time span between the cessation of barking and the reward. (The goal is to reward (reinforce) the behavior you do want her to repeat instead of barking at you.) You could also, when you can anticipate her 'sassing' - ask her to do something else, for example: come (back away a step or two) and reward her when she approaches, and/or cue a sit and reward her for it.

If you are going to 'say no' to her, it is important that you follow up with a cue that tells her what you want her TO DO instead of the 'no' behavior - and say 'Thank you' (reward her for it) helping her learn what behaviors you do appreciate!

 

[Buzzu2]

Thanks, it's just so rude and a little bit intimidating because she is big. I really don't like it. Your doggy looks adorable!

Haha........Looks can be very deceiving! She is the devil in a puppy suit!

 

[SusieK]

I personally like a dog with a bit of 'sass', (spunk) but not everyone does.

When she barks at you, try turning your back and walking away from her. Once she is quiet, you want to 'capture' the 'quiet', 'mark' (yes ) and reward her for being quiet, over time you can gradually increase the time span between the cessation of barking and the reward. (The goal is to reward (reinforce) the behavior you do want her to repeat instead of barking at you.) You could also, when you can anticipate her 'sassing' - ask her to do something else, for example: come (back away a step or two) and reward her when she approaches, and/or cue a sit and reward her for it.

If you are going to 'say no' to her, it is important that you follow up with a cue that tells her what you want her TO DO instead of the 'no' behavior - and say 'Thank you' (reward her for it) helping her learn what behaviors you do appreciate!

Thanks so much, this is great advice that I can use. I appreciate it a lot!

 

[JoanneF]

I agree with CachetheBC. To a dog, ”no” is just a word - you might as well say banana. And while it can act as an interruptor of the behaviour, it leaves a behaviour vacuum. If I said to you don't think of a green and pink striped cartoon elephant, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

So rather than saying no, try to think of what you do want her to do, and ask for that (and as CachetheBC says, mark the moment she does it with a ”yes” and reward).

If you have a particular issue that you are saying ”no to, feel free to shout out - we may have some suggestions.

 

[Buzzu2]

Mine have learned associations like:
NO Bark
NO Jump
NO Bite
etc.

Having owned many dogs in over 25 yrs..This has worked well for them all.

 

[agility collie mom]

Even negative attention is still attention. Ignore her and walk away. Extinction In Dog Training - Where Bad Behaviors Go To Die (dogsnet.com)

 

[SusieK]

Even negative attention is still attention. Ignore her and walk away. Extinction In Dog Training - Where Bad Behaviors Go To Die (dogsnet.com)

Thanks!

 

[SusieK]

I personally like a dog with a bit of 'sass', (spunk) but not everyone does.

When she barks at you, try turning your back and walking away from her. Once she is quiet, you want to 'capture' the 'quiet', 'mark' (yes ) and reward her for being quiet, over time you can gradually increase the time span between the cessation of barking and the reward. (The goal is to reward (reinforce) the behavior you do want her to repeat instead of barking at you.) You could also, when you can anticipate her 'sassing' - ask her to do something else, for example: come (back away a step or two) and reward her when she approaches, and/or cue a sit and reward her for it.

If you are going to 'say no' to her, it is important that you follow up with a cue that tells her what you want her TO DO instead of the 'no' behavior - and say 'Thank you' (reward her for it) helping her learn what behaviors you do appreciate!

Wow, you guys! I feel like I had a small triumph with Gretta's demand barking today! She did not like that I sat on the couch instead of playing with her and she barked at me over and over. It was SO hard to not react. I usually yell back at her or try to get her to do something else. But today i sat there reading my iPad without looking up for the longest time and then she whimpered and laid down quietly at my feet! What?!
Thank you!!
Susie

 

[CachetheBC]

Wow, you guys! I feel like I had a small triumph with Gretta's demand barking today! She did not like that I sat on the couch instead of playing with her and she barked at me over and over. It was SO hard to not react. I usually yell back at her or try to get her to do something else. But today i sat there reading my iPad without looking up for the longest time and then she whimpered and laid down quietly at my feet! What?!
Thank you!!
Susie

Wonderful!! It can be tough to ignore it, but stay strong!!

Don't forget to let her know what a good girl she is!! (when she is quiet), to help her learn that being 'polite' gets her the attention she is seeking.

 

[agility collie mom]

Woo hooo Congratulations on your success. Keep up the great work!!!