brody_smom
Experienced Member
I think this is more of a training challenge than a behavior problem, but it does relate to an incompatible behavior I am trying to train.
Here's the scenario: We have a very small fenced back yard. On the other side of one fence lives a 3 year old female lab who spends most of her days (and nights) alone in the yard, barking at whatever passes by her fence. She is on a corner, so there is a lot that goes past. On the other side of the back fence lives a chihuahua, who is let out periodically to entertain herself, and two small children who have access to a trampoline which is right next to our fence. They can see into our yard easily when standing on the trampoline.
I have been trying to do training with Brody in the back yard throughout the day: tricks, obedience and some agility, interspersed with fetch as a reinforcer. If the lab or chihuahua barks, or if the children are playing outside, Brody will alert and run to the fence. I have been trying to interrupt him before he gets to the fence and starts barking, clapping my hands, patting my leg, keeping my tone playful, throwing his ball, etc. His reward is continued play and/or treats/ear scratches/praise. This works occasionally, but when it doesn't, I feel I need to resort to firmer tones, calling his name, or cuing "off", as he often jumps into flower beds. If he responds, he gets praise and ear scratches, treats when I have them handy. When he doesn't respond then I say "Let's go!" and head into the house. This almost always works right away, and he usually just gets a "good boy!". I am concerned about giving him too much reinforcement for this as I am likely to set up an unwanted chain where he ignores my other attempts to call him off, but he still gets rewarded for coming to me at the end. I want to find a way to eliminate the behavior of running to the fence to bark.
Here's the scenario: We have a very small fenced back yard. On the other side of one fence lives a 3 year old female lab who spends most of her days (and nights) alone in the yard, barking at whatever passes by her fence. She is on a corner, so there is a lot that goes past. On the other side of the back fence lives a chihuahua, who is let out periodically to entertain herself, and two small children who have access to a trampoline which is right next to our fence. They can see into our yard easily when standing on the trampoline.
I have been trying to do training with Brody in the back yard throughout the day: tricks, obedience and some agility, interspersed with fetch as a reinforcer. If the lab or chihuahua barks, or if the children are playing outside, Brody will alert and run to the fence. I have been trying to interrupt him before he gets to the fence and starts barking, clapping my hands, patting my leg, keeping my tone playful, throwing his ball, etc. His reward is continued play and/or treats/ear scratches/praise. This works occasionally, but when it doesn't, I feel I need to resort to firmer tones, calling his name, or cuing "off", as he often jumps into flower beds. If he responds, he gets praise and ear scratches, treats when I have them handy. When he doesn't respond then I say "Let's go!" and head into the house. This almost always works right away, and he usually just gets a "good boy!". I am concerned about giving him too much reinforcement for this as I am likely to set up an unwanted chain where he ignores my other attempts to call him off, but he still gets rewarded for coming to me at the end. I want to find a way to eliminate the behavior of running to the fence to bark.