Barking when let outside

Question
QUESTION: Dear Kristin,
My 11 yr. old, female St. Poodle and 5 yr. old male Yorkie-? (15 lbs.) bark at everything (except cars) when I let them out. Roxy, our poodle, no longer listens to us about coming in, and has to be coaxed back in the house most of the time. She walks back in "slow motion," as if she knows (but doesn't care) that she's wrong.
They seem to get worse everyday! Any ideas?
Thank you so much.
Maureen Allen  


ANSWER: Are you asking me for help regarding the barking, or regarding coming back inside, or both, Maureen? When you call the dogs to come back in, is it because they are barking, or simply because you think they've been out there long enough? When you call them in, how do you do it? Do you ever scold them for barking whenever they come back inside? How long has this been going on (the barking AND the reluctance to come back in)?

Are they getting any exercise at all?

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

QUESTION: The barking is a problem that causes many problems.  Their exercise (15 mins. a day) is limited because Yogi, (our little rescue guy) barks and screams at birds, squirrels, other dogs and anything else that irks him.  He is very friendly with other dogs and people, and loves to play, but his vocal displays frighten other dog owners and children.
The barking has been going on since we got Yogi (about 3 yrs. ago).
Roxy has been reluctant to come in for about 6 mos.
I call them to come in because they are barking, and I think they know that is why.  They seem very happy when they don't bark, come in, and get a treat for it.
Yes, I scold them for barking when they get inside. (Dumb, I know, but I'm so frustrated and embarrassed!)
I would love to take them out more if it wasn't for Yogi's histrionics!
Thank you!
Maureen Allen


ANSWER: Hi again, Maureen. Thanks for explaining a bit more for me. It can be very difficult to help with some situations without being able to see what is happening first-hand.

The first thing you need to do is start exercising the dogs (especially Yogi) more. They should be going for at least one walk a day that lasts for at least 45 minutes, not including a couple of short 'potty breaks' along the way. During these walks, the dogs should be at your side or slightly behind you - not out front. They should not be allowed to stop and sniff things, or stop and go to the bathroom without your permission. This exercises their minds as well as their bodies.

I would recommend working with Yogi one-on-one for a while, in regards to his barking and screaming at things he wants to chase or go play with, etc. Up until now, what have you been doing whenever you have him out and he starts screaming/barking at something? He needs to be corrected for it. Have you worked with any trainers to try and curb the problem? If not, I would suggest it. Keep in mind that, while you are working with him on this, you >>will<< have to have him out in public and he >>will<< embarrass you!! However, in order to solve the problem, you just have to ignore any looks/comments you may get from other people, and keep your focus on Yogi. He must never, ever, EVER be allowed to approach another dog, person, etc. whenever he is acting this way, and you must not allow them to approach him, either. That is, essentially, rewarding the behavior.

You might consider letting him wear a no-bark collar whenever you put him out in the back yard if he is the one initiating the barking (and the two dogs do not bark and growl at one another in play while they are out there). The Innotek BC200 is an excellent little collar because it adjusts automatically to the level that the dog responds to, and it is rechargeable, so you never have to buy/replace batteries.


Whenever you call the dogs into the house, regardless of the reason, you should always praise and reward them for responding to your command to come. Scolding them for barking after you call them to come in and they obey is counterproductive. What you're actually doing is scolding them for obeying the command to come inside! If you are going to scold them for barking, you need to go out and do it when they are barking, rather than calling them in first.

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your help!  I will follow up on your advice and let you know how everything is.
When Yogi carries on during a walk, he seems to go into a "zone" where he doesn't hear me telling him to stop barking.  I usually pick him up (as I am worried he will break loose), and yell at him to stop.  
He is intimidated by trainers, and will not act out with them.  Yogi is actually kind of shy, and he seems to really want to do the right thing. (As opposed to Roxy, who will do what you want if it suits her! Seems like a poodle thing.)
Thanks!
Maureen

Answer
Please do keep me updated! You may e-mail me directly at blueridgerescue at gmail.com if you like. One last thing; stop picking him up whenever he is acting out. Picking him up empowers him, and yelling at him actually encourages the behavior because, to him, you are 'joining in' when you start yelling. He needs to be corrected for it, using an appropriate training collar (which, for small and toy breeds, I almost always suggest a mini prong collar).

You said, "He is intimidated by trainers, and will not act out with them."  This statement pretty much says it all. ;^) It's not that your dog is >>intimidated<< by trainers; he knows that his behavior is inappropriate, but he also knows that >>you're<< going to allow him to get away with doing it because you are not being a strong pack leader. Please don't take offense to my saying that, because we are ALL guilty!!

You want to get a trainer to >>help<< you, not someone who is going to take the leash from you and do everything themselves. They need to teach you how to handle the situation yourself, because they are not going to always be there to 'intimidate' your dog into behaving.