barking at people

Question
We have what may be a chi-poo.  Not to sure.  He is about 1 year old and barks at EVERYONE that comes over, especially children.  Guest can stay here for a weekend and he still will bark at them. He will chase children around and bark.  He's never been agressive to bite.  He just barks at people then runs away.  Thanks so much.

Answer
You didn't mention if he has had obedience training or has been neutered.  Without more information I will make a guess that he is barking to either get attention or defend territory. The dog needs socialization training, part of obedience training, where the trainer can introduce other dogs and people and train the dog to not pay attention to them, but pay attention to the owner. You can start with a stern FIDO NO! and remove him for the area.

You didn't mention if he has a dog house/crate to stay in. Crate training provides the dog a place of its own, bedding, toy, chews, food, to be quiet and occupy itself. The area should be his do not disturb area and everyone else stays away except to replace items or let teh dog in/out. If the dog is crate shy, put some treat, toy item in teh back and leave the door open. Sooner or later they learn to go in and be comfrotable.

The idea is to get the dogs mind off the other poeple, animals, etc, and to thinking about something else. Simple obedience commands, fetch etc do this so the dog learns to not pay attention to the other people.

Chasing kids is a no no. The dog should be on a leash. The dog is trying to dominate and control the kids, who willingly comply by running away. You stop a dog chasing you by turning around and confront it by either standing or walking toward the dog. Animals want to avoid confrontation so when play becomes confrontation, play ends.

When the dog comes, or whatever it does that ends the barking/attiontion seeking, then reward the dog.

If itgs territorial, the dog thinks it is defending you, the house, etc from an intruder. Great for watch dogs, but even watch dogs are trained not to bother anyone when the owner is around.