Barking Mad

Question
QUESTION: I have a 6 year old Cocker and he will not stop barking he barks at everything and when someone leaves the house he wants to run to the door and bite them. What should I do?

ANSWER: Hi Brenda,
Before I can answer this, I need more information.

You say he's six now, so:

When did this start?
Has he had basic training?
What do you mean he barks at "everything"?
Does he actually "bite" anyone or is this "grabbing, nipping, tugging at the person leaving?
Does he do this with anyone or just family members?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I got him from a man who, previously abused hime and I have had him for 1 year and he barks about someone passing his window when he is looking out or if it is quite he will bark or if he hears a noise. Basic training yes.....sit no....etc. He is grabbing and tugging which leads to a nip/bite. He does it to anyone leaving.

ANSWER: Hi Brenda,
It sure sounds to me like he has a few problems left over from being abused for five years.
There are two problems here.  The barking and the separation anxiety.

Let's talk about the separation issue first.

He gets stressed when you leave him and when anyone else leaves, you probably go to the door with them?  To him, this is just "leaving activity" and it pushes his buttons.

To address this, I need to know a little more.

How many people are in your family?
What do you do when he behaves this way?
Is he left alone daily for long periods?
Is he used to a crate?
Does he do damage when left alone?
How does he greet your arrival home?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There is only 1 person in my family and there is another pet he does not bark. I try to get his attention and if he is sitting next to me I hold him and I have tied to stop walking people to the door and I tell them to tell him bye but, still as soon as the door is closed and I let him go if I have held him he will bark at the door. He and his bother are left alone 8 hours a day maybe 4 hours. He does not have a crate because he is able to sit in the house. No damage when I leave he just looks out the window and bark. He is happy when I come home and whine and get toys and it only last a moment and he is okay.

Answer
Okay, this gives me a better idea of the situation.  If he's not doing damage while you're gone (or doing potty in the house) then he's not being a dominant dog.
And he's not "overly" enthusiastic/needy when you arrive home, which is another clue.

My first thought is you're leaving the dogs alone too long (8 hours) and perhaps a mid-day visit by a pet walker/sitter might alleviate things a little for him.  Or a doggy daycare,
if there's one available to you.  A tired dog is a good dog :)

I think the barking is part of the separation anxiety now that you've described things more specifically.  And I'd bet he follows you from room to room?

Don't be discouraged.  There are techniques that can help teach him you ARE coming back.

First..is he getting walked enough?  He needs a good half hour of exercise twice a day.  

Second..you must start working on him with SIT and STAY.
This is crucial.  Well trained dogs are happier dogs and more secure dogs.  He should be trained to do that to eliminate the nipping at guests.

There are a couple of experiments I'd like you to try.
The next time someone is leaving...put his leash on him and the both of you walk out with them.  Go out to their car..or the street..make him sit as you make your goodbye's and then return to your house.  I really want to know his reaction to "being out and coming back" with you and whether that settles him at all.

When you have time..perhaps on a week-end..don't do all the "things" we do when we're leaving (picking up purse, keys, jacket, etc)..just suddenly get up and go outside for one or two minutes.  Come back in and IGNORE HIM.  No re-assurances or petting.  Just come..and go..and come back.
Do this 10 times one day.  (I know..it's a pain..but this boy is afraid of you leaving and unintentionally you may be re-inforcing that by too much reassurance and/or attention.)

Also..when you arrive home..ignore him for a few minutes.
Just say hello and keep moving.  Make him wait a little bit for some attention and his walk.

Be patient and above all, do not punish.  Anxiety is not made better by punishing.

Please do try the experiments and let me know what happens.
His reaction will be a clue.  And if you'd like to write me directly (a little easier than this format), please do at:
DeeBeck7765@aol.com
Delores