You can't give in to the barking at all. As soon as she barks, game's over. You could up the ante and give her "cool down" time in a safe bedroom or even a crate. While it's harder because she gets away with it at doggy day care, a smart dog will quickly learn that what's ok at the daycare is not ok at home.
Demand barking
So, Stella has a problem with demand barking. This is worst when she is barking for you to throw a toy again, and also when you (and especially guests) are sitting on the couch and she wants attention (or possibly to sit in that spot). She has a quiet command, that is periodically effective. She will also only be quiet for so long once you tell her. I trained it into her by using a situation she was demand barking, then giving the signal/command, and clicking and treating once she was quiet. It did work, and I know she most definitely understands it.
I know I'm going to have a long, LONG time training her to do this when playing fetch, because I know the people at daycare will throw the toys for her as soon as she barks and/or just to shut her up. I've asked them not to but with her piercing bark, it's hard to not do what she wants. But with guests, I'm most concerned about her learning to sit down and shut up.
We have issues with guests coming over and Stella going crazy with affection jumping all over them and then barking like crazy because she's had so little practice, as guests have come over maybe 20-25 times in the past year, and most weren't up for being training helpers. She usually barks at them a lot when they are on the couch, as opposed to sitting at the table. My mother thinks this is because she sees the couch as "her spot" and wants them out of it. Due to the fact she doesn't do it quite as much when they aren't on the couch, I think this is possible. She HAS made improvement from constant barking and trying to jump, but periodic barking and trying to jump is still inappropriate and annoying.
However, I'm unsure of what else to do with demand barking that isn't aversive, when her quiet command doesn't work. Does anyone have any advice? She is very smart, but I think I just need to get her used to not being the center of attention all the time.
I know I'm going to have a long, LONG time training her to do this when playing fetch, because I know the people at daycare will throw the toys for her as soon as she barks and/or just to shut her up. I've asked them not to but with her piercing bark, it's hard to not do what she wants. But with guests, I'm most concerned about her learning to sit down and shut up.
We have issues with guests coming over and Stella going crazy with affection jumping all over them and then barking like crazy because she's had so little practice, as guests have come over maybe 20-25 times in the past year, and most weren't up for being training helpers. She usually barks at them a lot when they are on the couch, as opposed to sitting at the table. My mother thinks this is because she sees the couch as "her spot" and wants them out of it. Due to the fact she doesn't do it quite as much when they aren't on the couch, I think this is possible. She HAS made improvement from constant barking and trying to jump, but periodic barking and trying to jump is still inappropriate and annoying.
However, I'm unsure of what else to do with demand barking that isn't aversive, when her quiet command doesn't work. Does anyone have any advice? She is very smart, but I think I just need to get her used to not being the center of attention all the time.
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When PR is not working, and I try very hard to get it to work, I'll switch to NR. I don't act angry or upset when I use NR, I don't raise my voice in fact I try and keep it pleasant, I just issue the consequence.
Zody does NOT like people coming over and I try my best to use counter conditioning to help him overcome it, but most of the time he's dead set on barking, growling, and given half a chance lunging, at my guest. So What I do when he cannot settle down is pleasantly say "enough", and remove him from the room for a few minutes. He'll settle down and then I try and take him back out, I try PR / CC again, but as soon as he barks I'll tell him enough and back into the other room he goes. None of that involves my guest doing anything but being patient while I handle Zody for a few seconds, so I've found they are alright with it. Hopefully I'm teaching Zody that he can stay and be with my guest and I getting treats, or he can be in the other room, the choice is his, unfortunately I don't have many guest over so it's very slow going. I do something similar on walks though using "Let's Go.", he can be quiet observe the scary thing, and get fed treats, or he can bark and be taken away. On the walks I'm seeing much more improvement because we practice multiple times a week, sometimes multiple times a day.
Zody does NOT like people coming over and I try my best to use counter conditioning to help him overcome it, but most of the time he's dead set on barking, growling, and given half a chance lunging, at my guest. So What I do when he cannot settle down is pleasantly say "enough", and remove him from the room for a few minutes. He'll settle down and then I try and take him back out, I try PR / CC again, but as soon as he barks I'll tell him enough and back into the other room he goes. None of that involves my guest doing anything but being patient while I handle Zody for a few seconds, so I've found they are alright with it. Hopefully I'm teaching Zody that he can stay and be with my guest and I getting treats, or he can be in the other room, the choice is his, unfortunately I don't have many guest over so it's very slow going. I do something similar on walks though using "Let's Go.", he can be quiet observe the scary thing, and get fed treats, or he can bark and be taken away. On the walks I'm seeing much more improvement because we practice multiple times a week, sometimes multiple times a day.
I do think that sometimes NR is needed. People always say ignore the barking, but for some dogs that simply doesn't work. They love to bark and will keep going unless you stop it.
I agree that I would remove her from the room with some sort of a command. Stop, enough, something similar. PR isn't enough when they get hyped up sometimes.
I agree that I would remove her from the room with some sort of a command. Stop, enough, something similar. PR isn't enough when they get hyped up sometimes.
If my dog was demand barking at me, I'd make sure they never got what they wanted by doing it. In your situation, the game should end. When you're just sitting on the couch and she starts that up, I'd probably get up and leave the room without saying a word to her.
Jessie does this too and it really pisses off my brother and myself. I get she will bark at a few dogs fair enough if bigger then her but if i feed her ad she finishes quick ten feed the labs their dry food she goes mad and demand barks. she does it to remind me to feed her for past few days i dont say anything basically ignore her because if i say quiet she doesnt for long. When she quiet she then gets fed.
I will be telling my family not to feed her until stops barking or time out.
I will be telling my family not to feed her until stops barking or time out.
Trucker does this, it annoys me so much. I just ignore it.
She definitely does better with my playing fetch, she doesn't demand bark quite as much. I am going to do more ignoring her/stopping the game when she doesn't quiet down. It's just that with the demand barking when guests are on the couch...I'm not always sure exactly what she wants. :-/ And occasionally I'll take her outside because sometimes she has to go. Otherwise I'm guessing she wants attention or to sit on the couch, and she typically is ignored. She's making a little progress but again, it's slow because like I said, people don't come over often.
But thanks! I am going to work on it more.
But thanks! I am going to work on it more.
If she's demand barking at guests, then you should remove her. Put her in a quiet room and then when she's calm try again. Rinse and repeat until she understands that barking gets her nothing.
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