Dog barking at people.

Danthedoor

Okay, we've had our dog Bongo since June, aside from a few minor problems he's a model dog.  I curbed his anxiety of being alone, and his barking out the window at random sounds and people walking by, and we're working on some other minor obedience things along with tricks.

 Any way, our big issue is him barking at people, both on the leash and when they enter our home, as well as leaving.  He's such a sweet heart but he's always barking at people so they can't get close to him to enjoy him like we do.

Any tips? 

blue_elle

Positive reinforcement. When doggy is being quiet you reward, when doggy barks, no reward. Maybe have a friend come over to act as the visitor. 

Clicker training works wonders, and be used to adjust just about any behavior. I won't go into all the details here, since there's plenty on the 'net about it, but basically you use the clicker "mark" the good behavior at the moment it happens, then follow with a treat as reward. You can do it without a clicker, but our experience is that the clicker greatly speeds results since it's made clear to the dog exactly which behavior is being rewarded.

LuckyAngel07

Ditto blue_elle.

You can also train your dog to sit quietly in a "place" when people come in. This is something you'll have to work on repeatedly, with someone coming in/going out the door over and over in the role of "visitor." Work at it until they can come inside, greet you, and THEN greet the dog without him moving or making noise. 

When out on walks, if he starts barking at something, do an abrupt 180 and walk away. Remove him from what he's barking at, and don't turn back around to try again until he's completely over it. Teaching a "watch me" or "look" (at you) command can be helpful also to take his attention from whatever he wants to bark at and focus it on you as the only way his walk will continue.

GL! 

teal owl

Is he excite barking or aggressive barking?

My dogs bark when someone knocks at the door, or sometimes other dogs, but I've never been bothered by it. Dogs bark. It's their nature. You can't really break that habit, because it's not a habit, it's how they speak.

I like it as a form of protection. When they bark at night or something, it alerts me, just in case of like, a burgler or something...

ESG1116

I foster dogs, and a LOT of them have this issue. I finally discussed it with a trainer friend of mine a couple weeks ago. She said the best way to discourage that is to redirect their attention. Bring a squeaky toy, tennis ball, high valued treats (hot dogs, cheese, deli meat, ect), or anything else that will distract him. As soon as he starts barking on the leash or in the home say good (because you want them to warn you still) and then throw the call, squeak they toy, throw the treat, or do whatever you need to redirect their attention. Over time they will learn to ignore whatever is making them bark. It seems to be working wonders with our foster dog!  

athomas2424

ESG1116:

I foster dogs, and a LOT of them have this issue. I finally discussed it with a trainer friend of mine a couple weeks ago. She said the best way to discourage that is to redirect their attention. Bring a squeaky toy, tennis ball, high valued treats (hot dogs, cheese, deli meat, ect), or anything else that will distract him. As soon as he starts barking on the leash or in the home say good (because you want them to warn you still) and then throw the call, squeak they toy, throw the treat, or do whatever you need to redirect their attention. Over time they will learn to ignore whatever is making them bark. It seems to be working wonders with our foster dog!  

athomas2424

ESG1116:

I foster dogs, and a LOT of them have this issue. I finally discussed it with a trainer friend of mine a couple weeks ago. She said the best way to discourage that is to redirect their attention. Bring a squeaky toy, tennis ball, high valued treats (hot dogs, cheese, deli meat, ect), or anything else that will distract him. As soon as he starts barking on the leash or in the home say good (because you want them to warn you still) and then throw the call, squeak they toy, throw the treat, or do whatever you need to redirect their attention. Over time they will learn to ignore whatever is making them bark. It seems to be working wonders with our foster dog!  

This!!!