How to untrain a barking area protection dog?
I have a 5 yr old alpha doberman female, that I found out after having her about 2 months that she was trained as an area protection dog/ deterrent. When she is outside in the yard, she is always "looking" into the neighbors yards, and everything she sees that moves gets barked at and she runs the perimeter of the yard like she is possessed. I was told she was trained to do that. I do not know if she would bite anyone who happened to come into her area,because it is gated and no one has ever tried.I have asked several dog trainers about how to get her to stop doing it, with no luck/ideas that work. She is very very loud and the neighbors kids are scared of her. She is very friendly, and so quiet and chill when in the house and out in public that you don’t even notice her. But shes a monster in the backyard. I have tried the whistle technique, bringing her in when she starts the bad behavior, and rewarding her for "quiet". None of it works. I want to be able to be out in the yard with her and my other 3 dogs peacefully. I have had her for a year and no luck. My other 3 dogs do not act like her. They are very good in the yard and occasionally chase a squirrel. Does anyone have any other ideas?
By Cassandra, September 1, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Okay, now I have no clue if these suggestions would work or not, these are just things I would try if I were in your situation.
1. This type of barking is territorial. She only barks at things that are on or near her territory. Definitely territorial barking. These are things that would cure territorial barking, but your dog was trained to do these things, so she also does them to please you, so…..you may not have luck with them.
When you take her for walks in your neighborhood, do not ever allow her to potty. This is allowing her to mark her territory. Seems extreme, I know. She can potty in her yard, or on walks if they are not in your neighborhood. But, a walk around the block, no potty. It would help if you invested in a head collar which would give you better control of her during walks, so you could easily discourage her from peeing during neighborhood walks.
Start doing relationship exercises with her immediately. These will just simply show her that you are the leader. They aren’t anything harsh, but just things that you can incorporate in your everyday routine with her. When she recognizes you as the leader, maybe she won’t feel that it is her job to watch for and scare of any "intruders." Here is a link for these leadership exercises..
http://cavecanis.com/Documents/Leadership%20Exercise%20website.pdf
https://www.animalbehavior.net/Library/Canine/PositiveDogParenting/PDPLeadershipExercises.htm
2. Start teaching her that you are pleased with her when she is quiet. Sit in the yard with her and be prepared with lots of her favorite treats. Now, these treats have to be so yummy that they are going to distract her from the things she is barking at. I mean absolutely delicious! Reward for her being quiet. Say a car is about to come down the road, start to distract her with a treat, don’t give it to her completely, just let her nibble on it while you hold it. When the car passes tell her what a good girl and give it to her. If she runs off barking, quickly say "eh-eh" and leave the yard. Come back when she’s quiet.
This will probably be all hit and miss. If you try something and you see a slight improvement in the tiniest way, keep working with that even if it will take a while. I wish you the best of luck.
By Nyx, Marlena, September 1, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
If you want her to stop barking outside, it is going to be alot of work. Be outside with her and when she barks, make the loud shh! noise like the dog whisperer and push her with your finger tips. That is the only way I have heard of that works. It is a habit and like many habits, you have to work hard to break them! Good luck!