Help! My dog barks constantly when he is left alone

Mupette

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

if a dog is barking because it is anxious or fearful, and every time it does, it's owner keeps pushing it onto the floor and holding it there, how do you think the dog will interpret this and/or react?

he barks for the sake of others barking, doesn't show signs of fear or being anxious, he just doesn't know when to stop, but since i am doing the holding down, he has become a much calmer and happier dog, when he doesnt bark he will come to me for a treat, as he is telling me 'look mum i didnt bark' and he gets lots of praise for it

Sequeena

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

if a dog is barking because it is anxious or fearful, and every time it does, it's owner keeps pushing it onto the floor and holding it there, how do you think the dog will interpret this and/or react?

You're making the dog worse and you are asking for trouble.

If anyone is thinking of doing a CM don't. You are more likely to be bitten (would YOU like to be pinned to the floor?) than a dog that will submit.

Never pin a dog, you are going to make them even more anxious and fearful.

Mupette

Sequeena wrote: »

You're making the dog worse and you are asking for trouble.

If anyone is thinking of doing a CM don't. You are more likely to be bitten (would YOU like to be pinned to the floor?) than a dog that will submit.

Never pin a dog, you are going to make them even more anxious and fearful.

It's not FC it is me, and he is fine, he is not anxious or fearful. He is not showing any signs of distress, he is fine, infact he is a much happier, calmer dog.

His is not being pinned down in a vicsous way, nor is he being pushed to the floor, he is being held down in a calm soothing manner, and not being shouted at, but talked to in soft calming voice

Sequeena

Mupette wrote: »

It's not FC it is me, and he is fine, he is not anxious or fearful. He is not showing any signs of distress, he is fine, infact he is a much happier, calmer dog.

His is not being pinned down in a vicsous way, nor is he being pushed to the floor, he is being held down in a calm soothing manner, and not being shouted at, but talked to in soft calming voice

If you're not pinning your dog to the floor my post isn't referring to you :money:

It's just advice for anyone thinking of doing a CM.

Mupette

Sequeena wrote: »

If you're not pinning your dog to the floor my post isn't referring to you :money:

It's just advice for anyone thinking of doing a CM.

I am putting my dog on the floor.. not in a violent way, FC was just saying they were not happy with the way i was doing it as FC is entitled to do

lindseykim13

Mupette wrote: »

It's not FC it is me, and he is fine, he is not anxious or fearful. He is not showing any signs of distress, he is fine, infact he is a much happier, calmer dog.

His is not being pinned down in a vicsous way, nor is he being pushed to the floor, he is being held down in a calm soothing manner, and not being shouted at, but talked to in soft calming voice

People seem to have a lot of different opinions when it comes to dogs if it works for you and your dog then i 'd say your doing a good job. Better than leaving a barking dog to become more dominent and nasty.
My spaniel barks when other dogs go past our back gate it drives me nuts but to be honest she's just protecting her house, and if those walking past don't like it they can always walk elsewhere.

OP you do need to find out what sets her/him off before coming up with a solution it could be anything and even something silly like a washing line, or even the wind :rotfl:
What is he/she like when out for a walk?

Sequeena

Mupette wrote: »

I am putting my dog on the floor.. not in a violent way, FC was just saying they were not happy with the way i was doing it as FC is entitled to do

Is there not another way to do it?

foreign_correspondent

The problem is that if the OPs dog is barking from fear, anxiety or guarding instinct.. it will be feeling rather nervous and on high alert already. If the owner then pushes it over, into a vulnerable position the dog may, just may, quite sensibly interpret that as an attack or a threat, and act to defend itself... a dog cannot protest, cannot shout, cannot negotiate.. so, when under attack, a dog may resort to biting.

It's a combative way of working with a dog, and if it goes wrong, sadly ultimately the dog will be blamed.

To give an analogy - has anyone ever felt really nervous and jumpy about something which you have perceived to be a threat... footsteps following you on the way home perhaps? When you feel anxious, adrenline starts pumping and you react differently - you feel on edge, and your instincts kick in. If you were in this position, then someone suddenly grabbed hold of you unexpectedly, you may well elbow or kick out before even registering whether it is friend or foe... a nervous dog may well act the same way.

Mupette

Sequeena wrote: »

Is there not another way to do it?

not without spending alot of money for these collars, i personally don't like them.

Honestly i would not make my dog suffer, he is a far better, happier dog now than he was a few weeks ago

Sequeena

Mupette wrote: »

not without spending alot of money for these collars, i personally don't like them.

Honestly i would not make my dog suffer, he is a far better, happier dog now than he was a few weeks ago

You don't need a collar either