Help please! 5 months ago I rehomed a spayed 2 year old Labradorwho is generally well mannered apart from incessant barking at the start of our walks. Nothing distracts her and I find it rather embarrassing! Treats don't help, toys,commands, distractions just don't stop the bark, bark, barking which only stops whenshe tires herself out. Thereafter she walks well on the lead, socializes with other dogs and is a good girl. This seems quite bizarre behaviour, is there a reason for it, or is she just happy? In the garden or in the house she only barks at valid noises, or cats! Help...
Answer:
Pammy,
Welcome to here!
How much and what type of exercise does she get?
Answer:
An houra day walking on the lead, longer at weekends at the doggy park where she is off the lead, running/swimming.
Answer:
If your dog starts barking then I would remove the lead and sit back down, when she has calmed down I would try again. This is rather painstaking but until she is quiet you do not go out of the door. She should soon get the message that quiet equals a walk.
Also try giving her something to challenger her mentally, finding articles or searching for a dummy.
Answer:
What a good idea, thank you! I am going to try this and will keep you posted. Today she saw 3 squirrels on our walk and went crazy barking, but that's understandable I guess? Needless to say I no longer have a problem with squirrels digging in my bulbs/plant pots in the garden!