Need your suggestions on training, please.

[jesuschick]

Well, I have been searching and researching (it is what I do) until I have myself nice and confused.

I really need to get Ruby in some sort of training/socialization. She has been socialized as much as Hope but she responds to people and pets as if that is not so. She even runs from us or sort of flinches back when we reach for her. She was never mistreated nor abused. She came form a respected breeder. She had the best breeder of all of the girls.

She is not mean, she is skittish. She relentlessly barked at our 17 month old granddaughter while they were here for Christmas. We thought after a day or two that she would relax but it continued the entire 5 days that they were here. Of course, her loud bark scared my granddaughter who cried and then she barked because that scared her.

A lot of the classes I have found are about potty training (she is the best at this) and tricks. She knows enough tricks.

Do I need a behaviorist instead of training? I want her to be able to be calmed and not so skittish. I want to help her and do so while she is still young. She is 14 months.

Hubby says that she is our guard dog and she believes that this is her job. Perhaps, but not to the point of being annoying to guests and neighbors walking their pets. Thank goodness, she is our only barker. Hope will bark only if Ruby startles her and Eden barks only as part of her "bowing" play which is adorable.

So, behaviorist? Training?

Something like AKC classes or classes at a place near me like this?:
www.k-9sinmotion.com/classes.html

Thoughts? Guidance?

I appreciate it!!

[brodysmom]

Is it a confidence issue? How do you respond when she barks repeatedly?

[Missy]

Penny loves to bark non stop at guests. I recently bought a spray bottle and filled it with water. I allow her to bark a couple times, then I say "quiet". If she doesnt stop, she gets sprayed. It distracts her from barking and makes her stop, and I can then reward her quiet behavior. You might not have the same exact proble
as me, but it might be worth a try for the barking.

[jesuschick]

I think it is confidence.
We say "no barking, Ruby" , "no, Ruby" or the like.
Sometimes she stops and sometimes she acts like she does not hear us.

With Matilda, our granddaughter, Ruby followed her around like she had interest in her (we were there at all times, allowed Matilda to offer her treats, gently pet her, etc.) but then would just bark and bark at her sort of randomly. When the baby jumped (startled) and cried, then Ruby barked because the crying scared her.

This is why I wondered about the classes near us. The Family Manners class and then perhaps to continue to build her confidence I could move her into non-competitive agility classes if the first class went well.

She goes berserk if they are sunning in a room and she can see people and/or animals out the window. I read that if they are disturbed by things outside that one should just shut the blinds. Are you kidding? I want her to learn to cope and self manage, not hide from her that people and pets exist.

She is a gentle sweetheart. If she was a human, she'd be the shy wallflower who is no bother nor barely noticeable. She'd be an introvert which is MUCH different than my other two, for certain!

[brodysmom]

I would go and observe a class at the training center without Ruby. Just sit on the sidelines and watch. How is the instructor running the class? Are people learning? Dogs in control? What is the general feel? Then you will know whether this is the right place for you and Ruby or not. A good instructor and class can make a world of difference. An out of control training center can ruin a dog and make the problems you are dealing with much worse. Go get a feel for the place and you will know whether its a good fit or not.

[jesuschick]

That is a good idea that causes me to have to be patient. The next classes start next week and go for 6-8 weeks. I will see if I can go observe one and if I like the climate, sign her up the next session in the Spring.

I wish there was a small dog class somewhere. I picture Ruby in class with a bunch of Labs, Shepherds, Bull Mastiffs and Kristi's hippo dog! haha!

[tallulahcouture]

We have a similar but not quite as extreme problem....We do a training class with all BIG dogs...lol it looks quite funny... I took her initially because she was fine with small dogs but 'charlie big spuds' with anything bigger than a spanial!

It did help, as she got used to big dogs but i has not completely cured the problem.
One thing we use at home is....
when she barks at guests, can you quietly and calmly walk her in another room, leave her there until she stops barking and then allow her back. If she's quiet....then reward her with chicken (or whatever you feed). If she starts barking again, the repeat this process and take her back out.... After a while, she may get the message that barking = isolation and calm behaviour = chicken. This is quite a gently method and may help.

[Lucy]

Curious to hear what they say!

Kiki is a little cow and usually starts Gambit off barking whenever ANYONE comes over. I think she's doing it to say hi though? Could be wrong. But my mum lives next door and sometimes come over a couple of times a day and Kiki can SEE her and will still bark. My mum ignores her and she carries on barking but runs up to her wagging her tail. But it is incredibly frustrating because NO matter what I say, she won't shut up haha. I live in a building with 18 apartments and I'm so scared people will start complaining