Skip to content

HELP! Never-ending barking at our guests at home

Behavioral Issues
  • I adopted my Basenji Mix, Bradley, a year ago and anytime we have any guest(s) over, he absolutely will not stop barking at them(especially if it is a male). He is not aggressive towards them at all, if anything, he's more afraid of them because anytime we have them try and pet him, give a treat, sit with him, etc. he backs away. I feel like I have tried everything and I am almost to the point where I want to give up, but I know that won't help solve the problem either. Does anyone have this problem as well, or have any tips for me?
    Thank you

  • You need to teach 2 things.. a 100 percent solid down/stay and "leave it". If you have to use a collar and leash to keep him beside you and down, do it.

    Do not continue trying to get interaction. The more they totally ignore him, the less stressed he'll be.

    Once you can get him to stay at least 15 mins, get a male friend to come over. Put him in down stay and give the leave it command if he barks. Once he is QUIET, the person leaves. Keep repeating as often as you can get men to come over. Once he is quiet from the start, lengthen the time by a few minutes. ALWAYS tell him good boy and give a treat for being quiet.

    It would help a lot if you can try this out in a park too. If he's less reactive to men there, they can walk past and toss a treat (not look at or talk to). Once he seems to like seeing them coming because he associates with treats, they can say "GOOD BOY" as they pass. Then they can stop and toss the treat. Eventually they can stop, say good boy, toss the treat, speak to you and move on. Eventually he will link men to good. Throw in some women too, but concentrate on men.

    http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm

Suggested Topics

  • Help

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    Do let us know what you found out from the vets.
  • Please Help!!!!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    Fran, my older b and I are also those who can't sleep throught the night. So, we all get up and take care of business. At least your pup will out grow this… Any chance we will see you at the EBC specality in Aug in Auburn Wa again? I would love it!
  • Basenji Help!!

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    V
    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • Help adapting to new home

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    7k Views
    S
    Not sure, it could be so many things that a human can not see or smell. But, my terrier would do a low growl every time we drove by our old vet. We changed vets and he stopped but he still knew even 10 years later that he hated that vet. Not sure what happened to him that he hated them so much but he was neutered there!
  • Help!

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    U
    Thanks guys! I will be checking those books out!
  • Help with biting

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    D
    Hello I'm New , My Daisy Is A Biter. If You Touch Her Sometimes. She Seems Really Sensitive All The Time. She Can Be Fully Awake And Loving Than It Switches. She Has Gottin Us Good A Couple Times. I Don't Know Why She Can Turn Like That She Is A Spoiled Pooch. Do You Have Any Ideas What I Could Do.