We have a one year old Golden Retriever which we brought home when he was an eight week old puppy.
He's a big softy who loves affection and being together.
At about 5 months old he started attention seeking barking. This was bad enough but that has for some months now "progressed" into barking at everything.
We have a large garden/yard (60ft x 40ft) which he has free run of. Every morning we let him out into the garden and after about five minutes I go out with him for a play session of about half an hour. I then come back into the house to get his breakfast ready, after which I call him to come eat. After he's finished eating he goes back into the garden. Then usually after several minutes have passed he come back into the house and starts his attention seeking barking. Eventually, I have no option than to go out and play more with him. I feel that this is giving in to his barking, but at least he stops.
His extended repertoire of barking consists of barking at just about anything as and when he feels like it. He will bark at anybody walking down the street, which is just adjacent to our garden. He's even mastered the art of barking while lying down.
The problem is really bad and is driving my wife and I crazy. It is only a matter of time before one or more of our neighbors complains. As you know, GR's have one of the loudest barks of all dogs.
Any help and advice will be much appreciated.
Neil J
You state that you "...have no option than to go out and play more with him. I feel that this is giving in to his barking, but at least he stops."
It might be that you are unknowingly reinforcing the barking behavior. Unfortunately, this is essentially rewarding your dog for barking. This will be hard (but possible) to untrain - especially given that no matter how long you tried to ignore the barking, you would inevitably give in... which more or less tells the dog that - no matter how long it takes - if he just
keeps at it, he'll eventually get what he wants.
You have to decide not to give in - no matter how long it goes takes. Wait for the very moment he gives up and becomes quiet (not right after barking, of course) - and
then take him outside to play as he desires. Giving the attention he craves only when
quiet will reinforce the notion that good behavior earns good rewards 😉
