How to discourage territorial barking at home
I have a 4yo intact 55 pound male Labradoodle. He has a great disposition. However he goes nuts when someone walks on the sidewalk in front of our house. The double window in our main room is only ...
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You might consider a window film for at least the lower half of the windows. I did that at it really helps - I still get all the light coming in, but the dogs and cats don't see everything that goes on outside. Currently, my couch is in front of the window so both Tornado-dog and the cat Looney2 will stand on the couch and look out the top half of the window - but they aren't obsessed with it. It also prevent people from seeing into the house easily.
Tornado-dog has the instinct to be a barker (parsons russell terrier mix), so I know I can't stop it completely. But he also only barks if someone or something is outside. He doesn't bark at nothing.
So, when he barks, I look outside, then tell him he's a good boy, and then redirect him (I use the cue "away"). This has helped a lot. His barking is a signal something is going on - which is good. So by my checking it out, I let him know his warning was heard. And by praising and redirecting, I let him know I see the "threat" and have dismissed it. That settles him down.
Now, if he barks, I can tell him "good boy, away" and he will go play. The only time he won't move away is if the person or thing is actually on our property. And in that case, I go deal with it (ie, send them on their way) or let Tornado-dog greet them (if it's my yard guy, etc) and then redirect him.
He still barks, but it's not that non-stop obsessive behavior.
Tornado-dog has the instinct to be a barker (parsons russell terrier mix), so I know I can't stop it completely. But he also only barks if someone or something is outside. He doesn't bark at nothing.
So, when he barks, I look outside, then tell him he's a good boy, and then redirect him (I use the cue "away"). This has helped a lot. His barking is a signal something is going on - which is good. So by my checking it out, I let him know his warning was heard. And by praising and redirecting, I let him know I see the "threat" and have dismissed it. That settles him down.
Now, if he barks, I can tell him "good boy, away" and he will go play. The only time he won't move away is if the person or thing is actually on our property. And in that case, I go deal with it (ie, send them on their way) or let Tornado-dog greet them (if it's my yard guy, etc) and then redirect him.
He still barks, but it's not that non-stop obsessive behavior.
