We adopted a 10 month old shepard mix about 3 months ago. We have no idea where he came from before that but we think that he was pretty much ignored for the first 10 months of his life.

We have trained him on commands and for the most part he is housetrained (still working on that a little bit). However, recently he has been BARKING AT US defiantley for a number of reasons. If we correct him, when we aren't paying attention to him, we it's time for bed, or pretty much anything that he feels like he barks at my husband and I (or my parents when they watched him). It's extremely frustrating. When he is in that mode it is like he is a bad 8 year old that can't stop himself. If we try to get him he will run around like a madman. He is not like this all the time! However, we have been having incidents like this AT LEAST once a day.

Has anyone seen anything like this?!! please help

It sounds like he is just trying to get your attention or anyones. I have read, if you put some coins in a tin can and when he barks, through the can down hard on the floor, the noise will distract him and will stop. Give it a try.
Good luck

My husband actually mentioned that! Thank you for your reply. We will try it!

[reeskujo]

You can also try getting a spray bottle,filling it with water and when he starts his barking spray him in the face.Then when he stops and calms down give him a treat and lots of praise.

Originally Posted by sandj

We adopted a 10 month old shepard mix about 3 months ago. We have no idea where he came from before that but we think that he was pretty much ignored for the first 10 months of his life.

We have trained him on commands and for the most part he is housetrained (still working on that a little bit). However, recently he has been BARKING AT US defiantley for a number of reasons. If we correct him, when we aren't paying attention to him, we it's time for bed, or pretty much anything that he feels like he barks at my husband and I (or my parents when they watched him). It's extremely frustrating. When he is in that mode it is like he is a bad 8 year old that can't stop himself. If we try to get him he will run around like a madman. He is not like this all the time! However, we have been having incidents like this AT LEAST once a day.

Has anyone seen anything like this?!! please help

Hi Sandj
I have sort of the same problem. When I correct our 6 month old dobie he starts to bark and nip at my feet. I stand still and sometimes he actually hurts and I jump. I tried the water squirt and he continues to nip and bark. I tried the "make a high pitched noise -and-he'll-stop"...didn't work. I don't know what to do!!!