barking and jumping schnauzer

Question
I have two schnauzer. One is 5years old and the other is almost 2years. I have the problem of them barking when some one goes past the house or if the mailman or another cat or dog comes by they seemed to go crazy and start to bark. The young one not only barks but jumps up and down at the front room window. Please tell me what to do. Some one suggest an electronic collar.

Answer
I don't like electronic collars. In untrained hands they can make a dog worse.... more aggressive and downright nasty.

First of all, get those guys into obedience classes for a few months and start practicing "Nothing in Life is Free" with them. http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm The easiest thing to do is to block them from getting to that window so that they cannot see out of it.

If they are doing this when you are gone, confine them to crates or to a smaller area such as an exercise pen or a smaller room (bathroom). Leave a radio on while you are gone to cut the outside noises. Since this is primarily a training issue, start using the knowledge that you will acquire through obedience classes.

Two things that work well with most schnauzers are spray bottles and penny cans. Dog barks, command is "be QUIET!" If dog ignores you, immediately spray it in the face from across the room as you firmly repeat the command... and I would be walking purposefully toward the dog as I gave the command. (Of course, if one of your dogs happens to be one of those rare schnauzers who likes water, a spray bottle will be ineffective.) Instead of a spray bottle, a *"penny can" can be used instead. (*Pop can filled with a half dozen pennies with the opening taped shut.) Throw the penny can near the dog's feet while giving the "be QUIET!" command. Time it so that the command is given simultaneously as the can hits the floor. The dog *should* startle and stop barking, at which point you immediately tell the dog "good quiet" and call the dog to you and reward it with a small treat as you continue to praise it and tell it "good quiet". If it turns to bark again, repeat at the first bark.

Karen