Out of control

Question
Hi Labman,

I have an 8 month old female yellow who barks like crazy. She barks when I put her outside and she barks in her kennel while we eat. We kennel her at night and she is allowed in our home during the day.

Also, she gets overly excited when I walk her and we see people. She goes nuts and trys to jump on them. She always jumps on people when they first come over, as well as jumps on the door when anyone leaves.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Answer
Spay her if not already.  Obedience train her.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

If she barks outside, bring her in.  With a little obedience training, she should lie quietly near the table.  If not, crate her while you eat.  Other dogs may not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.