slightly agressive dog help

frugallass

it must be a 'terrier' instinct !

pboae

If he's a terrier it's more likely to be the thrill of the chase than feeling threatened or terrortorial. So you need to find something more fun and exciting for him to do than chase his TV toys.

frugallass

I disagree - my westie has all the toys under the sun and still attacks the TV yet doesn't do it in someone elses house

pboae

That's not the point, something novel and moving (i.e a picture on the TV) is more exciting that the toys they already have. Just as being at other people's houses is more interesting than being in their own, so they don't need to look for other games to play so much.

If it was about fear and territory you'd expect other signs, such as going mental at the postman, obessessing about or barking at people or animals they can see through the window. If it's restricted to just the TV, it's much less likely to be that.

Sagz_2

It sounds like he is enjoying himself! Every time you say NO to him not only has he had a good bark at the TV but he also gets your undivided attention I love dogs, they are so smart!

The first thing that I'd check is that he is getting plenty of exercise, not just physical but mental as well. A couple of turns around the block won't be giving him enough mental stimulation, make him use his brain and practise his basic training or teach him games that need brain power as well as leg power.

I'd also check his food,some additives can make dogs a little 'hyper' so check he's getting a good quality blanaced diet.

Then to actual methods of curing the problem, I can think of two ways that might help:
Teach him a LEAVE command or de-sensatise Barney to the stimulation on the TV. The idea is to get him so used to the sound and movement on the tv that it becomes boring and not worth reacting to. You'll need a DVD of something that sets him off and then start playing it either so quietly that he doesn't notice, or if thats too much try with the sound off. Again if thats too much and he notices try with the sound off and the brightness down a bit. Next you'll need to find a calm distraction for him, something he likes doing - could be chewing a pigs ear or maybe try some doggie massage. The idea is that the sound/movement that usually sets him off is going on in the background at a much lower level and gradually (and I mean over a couple of months) you increase the level until it's at normal volume. If he ever reacts then you'll need to take a step or two backwards and start from there again.

The 2 methods above are not quick fixes, you'll need to work at them for some time - but I've soon good results with both.

If you want a quick fix you could always put him in another room when the TV is on.

foreign_correspondent

Norbertsmum wrote: »

It sounds like he is enjoying himself! Every time you say NO to him not only has he had a good bark at the TV but he also gets your undivided attention I love dogs, they are so smart!.

He may well think you are joining in the barking with him too - I have seen dogs increase the barking when the owner shouts - cos they think you are barking with them, not at them!! :rotfl:

Dopey_Dora_42

Hi,
Oscar is 13 months old and a King Charles and we have the same problem with him barking and going mad at other animals or birds etc on the tv- so much so, that we have had to put the tv on the wall so he cant scratch it. We thought he was protecting his own territory but he did it at my mums as well!! WE did make him sit with us through a dog program and kept stroking im and praising him etc which helped for a while as he thought twice about barking and we have also tried putting him out of the room each time but he is smart and would start barking and then take himself out of the room!!!!
We have also tried the distracting which didnt work too well and turning off the tv. It wasnt until we got Oscar (had him 3 months now) that we have noticed just how many programmes/ adverts have dogs or animals in them.

Whoops Ive rambled but I will be reading this thread with great interest.

Dora xx