How do you deal with high energy terrier barking, getting excited about neighbours?

Stu · 03-13-2011

Straight forward question - how do you calm down a very high energy manchester terrier who gets up and starts barking at anything remotely "new" in his environment (environment being an apartment building in this case)?

As in, if he's lying down calm on a couch/floor, even half-asleep, tired after a walk, whatever, whenever - if he hears neighbours walking by, jingling their keys, opening the doors, the most remote sounds (& smells) at the end of the hallway, other side of the building, intercom phone ringing (when he now expects someone to walk through the door), etc - he'll jump up and start barking at the door...

I am assuming it's some sort of a mix of anxiety and protection of sorts, but have no idea how to deal with it anymore...

Suggestions?

cigwyllt · 03-13-2011

You have my sympathies! I have a Patterdale cross Jack Russell who is on constant alert and seems to hear a bird breaking wind three streets away LOL!

My dog is 8 and shows no sign of relaxing into middle age. My husband and my older son can control her with a word but I have to move and physically stand over her. I am on the short side with quite a high voice and if I shout at her it simply becomes a shouting match - one that she is destined to win. So I have to get up and stare her down whereupon she will stop straight away.

I have to be honest - I manage her behaviour. I have not trained her to stop. Sorry I can not be of more help - it has taken until now to get this far!

Stu · 03-13-2011

Yeah, mine is still relatively a baby - a year old...

And when I get up, walk to the door, he moves aside but keeps either barking or growling a bit... I can get him to walk away by just physically walking away from the door, but that's about it - he'll just get around me and get back there, or settle down for a minute and then go back at it again.

Yogi · 03-13-2011

Welcome to the world of terriers. I personally never let mine go to people in apartments primarily as they really do not get the exercise they truly need. In addition, the problems you are having is somewhat indicative of many of the terriers. Natural guarding instincts which result in territorial barking at just about anything they hear or see that is unfamiliar.
You can look to distract the dog, I use a spray bottle with water. It usually works to a fair degree. Most terriers do not mind a bath but don't care to be sprayed with water. Another option, small can with coins in it. Give it a shake when the dog starts barking.
Good luck.

Stu · 03-13-2011

Interesting... will try that.

And yeah, even after hours of regular exercise and walking/running around, that instinct is still there...

Yogi · 03-13-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

Interesting... will try that.

And yeah, even after hours of regular exercise and walking/running around, that instinct is still there...

and it will be well into their senior years......

cigwyllt · 03-13-2011

We have a large house and garden (the dogs have free access in and out all the time we are home) and two other dogs for her to play with but she is still on high alert all day every day. Strangely she is the quietest at night time. If she is in my son's room overnight she makes no sound at all, even if my other terrier is scratching at the door to get to her.

lange · 03-13-2011

My sympathies to you all too. I don't have a terrier but you wouldn't think it with Wrigley. He is all about alarming. He's not too bad inside unless someone rings the doorbell but outside it's a whole other story. I taught him "quiet" through basic training. It did take a long time though & really STILL in progress. For me, I confronted him by saying 'no', walking up to him positioning myself between him & whatever he's barking at, while focusing on him. If he calmed down & composed himself and focused on me I'd treat him. Otherwise he would just retreat away from what he was barking at which was also fine by me.

Now when he's outside & I tell him "quiet" he'll stop about half the time. The times he ignores me is when there's someone or something right at our fence. It can be frustrating but it's just who he is by breed too. He can also be a little neurotic sometimes & can bark just to hear himself bark, so I try to not let him out too late at night or early in the day for our neighbors sake.

Yogi · 03-14-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lange

My sympathies to you all too. I don't have a terrier but you wouldn't think it with Wrigley. He is all about alarming. He's not too bad inside unless someone rings the doorbell but outside it's a whole other story. I taught him "quiet" through basic training. It did take a long time though & really STILL in progress. For me, I confronted him by saying 'no', walking up to him positioning myself between him & whatever he's barking at, while focusing on him. If he calmed down & composed himself and focused on me I'd treat him. Otherwise he would just retreat away from what he was barking at which was also fine by me.

Now when he's outside & I tell him "quiet" he'll stop about half the time. The times he ignores me is when there's someone or something right at our fence. It can be frustrating but it's just who he is by breed too. He can also be a little neurotic sometimes & can bark just to hear himself bark, so I try to not let him out too late at night or early in the day for our neighbors sake.

With my pack, all I have to do is yell "HOSE". They have discovered it is like a very large water spray bottle. It works, even if they see me go for the hose all of them immediately quit barking.

lange · 03-14-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogi

With my pack, all I have to do is yell "HOSE". They have discovered it is like a very large water spray bottle. It works, even if they see me go for the hose all of them immediately quit barking.

LOL I imagine you have to be creative w/your guys. With the sheer size of your pack I think you deserve a holiday named in your honor. I can only barely manage one like this! If I had all yours I'd consider going the simpler route of having my ears removed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lange

My sympathies to you all too. I don't have a terrier but you wouldn't think it with Wrigley. He is all about alarming. He's not too bad inside unless someone rings the doorbell but outside it's a whole other story. I taught him "quiet" through basic training. It did take a long time though & really STILL in progress. For me, I confronted him by saying 'no', (Edit- bad explanation here- I would tell him "Quiet!" first, then when he'd CONTINUE his barking I would then confront him as mentioned, ect) walking up to him positioning myself between him & whatever he's barking at, while focusing on him. If he calmed down & composed himself and focused on me I'd treat him. Otherwise he would just retreat away from what he was barking at which was also fine by me.

Now when he's outside & I tell him "quiet" he'll stop about half the time. The times he ignores me is when there's someone or something right at our fence. It can be frustrating but it's just who he is by breed too. He can also be a little neurotic sometimes & can bark just to hear himself bark, so I try to not let him out too late at night or early in the day for our neighbors sake.

Sorry I should have went over my post a little better.