Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:53 am Post subject: Standing at window and barking
Hi everyone
In the past couple of months, Pheebs has learned how to put her paws on the ottoman in front of the window and watch the world go by - this in itself is fine - she seems to really enjoy watching all the kids go to school and all the people go about their daily activities and spends hours just standing there watching the human traffic.
Only problem is that over the past fortnight or so, she has started barking at people as they walk by! Often scaring the living cr@p out of them as they walk past (we have a drive and a garden - approx 4 metres from window to footpath). I have tried ignoring her, giving her treats for good behaviour, discouraging her from watching out the window even if she is being good to try and stop her barking - but it isn't working for love nor money. She really took the biscuit this morning when the postlady came past the window (about a metre from her head) and all hell broke loose - she was wiggly waggling and barking her little head off The Postlady absolutely cacked her pants (must admit I did too cos I wasn't expecting her to bark )
Her tail is wagging the whole time she's barking so I don't think she is being aggressive - I just think she is saying hello While I do consider it a good thing sometimes (as the unsavoury sorts may view it as a deterant) I don't want her becoming a street "worrier" and getting me into trouble with passersby or neighbours when I'm not here.
Oh and she has also, over the past week, started to bark when the door is knocked or doorbell rung - she's never done this before and we tend to ignore her if she does it. Is this right??? It doesn't seem to stop her doing it though
Any ideas on either issue?? I just don't want her to be a nuisance dog Thank you in advance x x
As far as the door bell barking - bailey does this and i like to keep it - he will only bark once and sonds wonderfully scary for passers by - those visiting know bailey anyay and know he isnt a monster.
As far as pheebs barking at the window - unfortunatly all i can suggest is moving the box away so she cant get up there and stop her all together. Or if you wanted to keep her at the window and have some time - kneel with her at the window - praise her when shes silent - the moment she barks tell her no - gab her collar and remove her from the window and dont let her back for a few mnutes - if shes running back and dying toi get back at the window try crating her for a minute and let her out again and so on
Hally does both of these, and if I'm honest, I have never discouraged it, - she is a good protector, and that suits me she sits on the arm of the chair and watches the world for by
It doesn't seem to bother people walking past, although quite a few times now when people have come to the door, by the time I answer it, they are often down the bottom of the drive
Sorry, not much help guess I just wanted to reassure you that Pheebs is not the only one
Trouble is M, we've tried moving the box away and she just puts her paws on the window ledge and does the same. I do the praise when she's good, move her away when she isn't and it works for that moment yet as soon as I leave the room she starts again. Her crate isn't used as punishment (as you already know) and I want to keep it that way for the times when we do shut her in.
My problem with it is that I don't know want her doing it while I'm not there - she isn't shut in her crate anymore while we're out. Plus on the other side of it - she doesn't do it all the time - there seems to be no consistency with her barking.
I know what you mean on the crate thing Lucy - ive never used it that way for bailey either.... - do you think pheebs still does it when your not there? - i wonder if its a protection thing (even though shes not agressive it could still be her protection) and maybe when your not in the house she dosent do it?.... you'll have to set your cam up again lol!
Hally does both of these, and if I'm honest, I have never discouraged it, - she is a good protector, and that suits me she sits on the arm of the chair and watches the world for by
It doesn't seem to bother people walking past, although quite a few times now when people have come to the door, by the time I answer it, they are often down the bottom of the drive
Sorry, not much help guess I just wanted to reassure you that Pheebs is not the only one
You know what Sue??? that IS a great help I really wanted someone like you to say that!!! Right, I'm putting it to bed - I'm fine with it!! She only lets out one or two barks and her issues are over so in the grand scheme of things, she isn't really really awful! Just wanted to gather thoughts on whether it was PC to allow her to do it
Although I don't want innocent people passing by to be worried by her, I equally like the fact that she may well scare potential offenders away. She has only done it twice this morning (since 7am) and once was at the postlady who probably just gave her a fright as she appeared from behind the hedge without warning!
M you are probably right - I think we may well need to do "Puppy Cam" again
Dylan also does this.
The tail wags like anything,but the neighbours dont see this and I have had some filthy looks from them I have to admit it has become louder in the past few weeks.And I think this stems from the paper lad walking right past our window early one morning and he frightened the hell out of me,being on my own most of the time.I opened the window and asked him to use the path he got mouthy and I got mouthy back since then Dylan has become more territorial.
Pheebs is just doing her job, she is protecting her beloved family. I can understand where your coming from about not wanting to upset the neighbours, but our neighbours actually said to us the other day, we always have a look outside if we hear your dogs barking as it a warning that someone is about.
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The Postlady absolutely cacked her pants (must admit I did too cos I wasn't expecting her to bark 
)
While I do consider it a good thing sometimes (as the unsavoury sorts may view it as a deterant) I don't want her becoming a street "worrier" and getting me into trouble with passersby or neighbours when I'm not here.
Thank you in advance 
x x
guess I just wanted to reassure you that Pheebs is not the only one 
