Having people you know that your dog does not know practice this with her can also help her learn to be calmer around people. Remember that learning a new behavior takes time, especially a self-rewarding behavior like barking. You may want hire a trainer who works with several other trainers, who will rotate working with your dog as "strangers" in public places, so that you can practice the training with people who know how to do this who your dog thinks are new. Measure out Shoko's food for the day into a zip-lock bag and have your grandmother toss pieces of food to her without looking at her. Remember to go slowly. Not only are they incredibly loud, but because they’re so big they can also scare a lot of people. This bark isn’t a slight grumble here and there; instead, she barks incessantly and her entire demeanor changes (hair will stand up, etc). She will have a hard time making noise when her mouth is occupied. Sometimes they get neurotic and start going a little crazy, becoming destructive, or start biting. every time the father barks at strangers, my puppy just stays relax. You will also use obedience commands to teach him how to bark on command, so you can also train him to be quiet when instructed. Once pup is ready to greet more people up close, continue carrying treats with you and have people give pup a command like Sit and then reward to teach pup good manners while continuing socialization. Take a moment to look over the online training program and learn how to use brain training for better behavior. Q:Two months ago, we adopted a 2-year-old poodle/terrier mix.He was extremely shy and withdrawn at first, but has become very gentle and affectionate with me and my wife. If pup is too worked up have the person stand far enough away pup can stay calm and toss treats to pup from there, then as pup relaxes let pup approach the person when they are feeling braver and friendlier. Many a good dog is ruined because their owners do not take good care of their pet. Here’s how to teach your dog the “speak” and “quiet” command: This definitely takes practice and is a frustrating process, but stick with the training and work on both the “speak” and “quiet” so that your dog knows the difference. Tips to Stop Dog Barking Many of the behaviors dog owners consider to be undesired are actually completely natural for dogs. When she see a stranger in the street or even our neighbours outside, she starts barking at them. German Shepherd barking problem is one of the most common and annoying problems that German Shepherd dog owners have. When you see your dog showing these signs, move away from the stimulus (stranger). Try foods that he’s never had before or would not get on a typical day and save these treats for these special occasions.If you’re working on management, you may want to find a crate to keep your puppy in when guests are over. class in your area. Friends and family who are patient with dogs are good people to practice this with. See if you have dog savy friends that pup can go visit at their house for a day, while they practice the above with him. All of this will require a lot of repetition with different people so be proactive setting up sessions with friends. How to Stop My German Shepherd From Barking at Strangers. Once you have a few obedience commands under control, sign her up for a group class to learn and socialize with other dogs. Keep rewarding them with pea-size pieces of soft treats when outdoors and when they look at you and sit, instead of barking. My dog would bark for a long period of time without stopping. Check out the videos linked below on counter conditioning - making something scary, pleasant in the dog's mind instead. You’ll need a short-term strategy to start showing your overprotective dog what behavior is unacceptable while also keeping your guests safe. But, we wanted to let you know that we are an affiliate for the products and services on this website. This needs to be done very carefully to avoid a bite and go at a pace she can learn without under or overwhelming her. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. If you do have this behavior problem with your German Shepherd please watch this video from Zak George on how to teach your dog not to bark by using 3 humane and effective methods. They have been bred to protect the livestock and homestead and alert their people of intruders. Hi. Many forward-thinking German Shepherd owners, like yourself, who want to learn how to stop their German Shepherd from barking at strangers for good did so by joining an online training program that uses scientifically-backed protocols after reading this Brain Training for Dogs Review. I also suggest teaching pup to Say Hi/touch: Give the “quiet” command and wait for a longer time before rewarding your GSD with treats and praise. Have people toss or hand pup treats when they greet pup. During this time, engage your dog’s mind with mind puzzles, obedience work, and fun stuff like games in the house or yard. Or even the police closing in? Take pup to all different types of locations, starting with calmer locations first. Look online for a class that has positive reinforcement training classes to really encourage Nellie in her confidence. Rather, try to teach your dog when it is appropriate to bark, and reward him for being quiet. That means when you click a link we may earn a small commission for helping you to find great things for your German Shepherd. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. No matter the reason, even young puppies can show fear or aggression towards the unfamiliar. Being a dog that is of working lineage, she'll need tons of exercise both mental and physical, and the training will take care of that! Best of luck training, Often pups will improve overtime if you continue to expose them, even though they may seem to regress temporarily as they hit various stages of maturity, that can make them temporarily more fearful. Even if they aren't a threat? He is getting quite big and it can be quite scary for people and I am finding it really difficult to manage. How to Stop My German Shepherd From Barking at Strangers. What Your Dog's Sleeping Position Reveals About Their Personality, Health and Character - Duration: 3:57. Best of luck training, If you aren’t meeting your dog’s energy needs on a daily basis, they are more prone to barking at strangers. This can be preceded by growling or an unusual amount of focus. Keep practicing the “quiet” command by increasing the length that your dog is quiet and the timing of your reward. Best of luck training, There’s nothing worse than not knowing how to stop my German Shepherd from barking at … Behavior. Hello Kate, :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpzvqN9JNUA Practice every day for 10 minutes. More . Instead, sit on your front porch or in your garage (or somewhere out of the way if those two options aren't possible) with your dog on leash, and practice treating every time another dog comes into your dog’s line of sight. Carry treats or her dog food with you in a treat pouch or small ziplock bag during these outings, and give her treats for good responses to people, also have people give pup treats too. Barking on a walk: Don’t worry that you may ruin your dog’s keen watchdog abilities by training them to not bark. I read one website that suggested she may be trying to warn me, and to praise her and then give her the command 'stop barking', then if she barks again yell at her to startle her and use negative association to teach the command. Mabel has never been the most sociable puppy but has recently started barking more and more whenever she sees a stranger approaching whilst on a walk. You should never hit your german shepherd, reward bad behavior, … She’ll then go over tail wagging but I’m concerned about the barking and the potential anxiety around strangers going up. Best of luck training, Now that Rylee is fully vaccinated we have been going for small outing to get her Leash trained. Since he has been allowed to go out anyone he meets outside he starts to bark and growl. Caitlin Crittenden, My dog Bowie is a Romanian rescue and is still very young! It sounds like pup needs more socialization at this age. When the other dog is out of your dog’s view, all treats stop. Some methods that work great include: Not Rewarding Bad Behavior. Rylee has the opportunity to practice her manners from a distance. Move or walk away from your German Shepherd and stop playing. Dogs naturally bark when they are excited or scared, so it is not a behavior that you should try to repress entirely. Ollie and I have not been to training yet due to covid but he growls and barks at people, dogs and noises that he doesn’t know. Still, the behavior gets old fast if your pooch barks every time a friend, relative or delivery person comes to the house. Try and enlist the help of those your dog does not already know well. If another person is coming your way, don’t hesitate to turn around and walk in another direction. The earlier aggression is addressed the easier it will be and the better the potential outcome. Some Border Collies can be wary of strangers and because they are pretty sensitive in general they really need to be socialized in a positive way with a ton of people while they are young puppies. As he looks at the treat and walks past or away from the stranger, give him the treat before he has time to bark. Hello Danielle, And this will be either continuing your walk, or being allowed to interact with the other dog. The first thing to do is employ a number of deterrence measures. Continue getting pup out in public even though it may seem a bit hard right now. Friends and family can also practice giving pup a treat each time they touch them while touching them, with people pup isn't afraid of, to desensitize pup to being approached and touched also. This will likely look like rewarding calm responses from a distance, interrupting outbursts and using structured obedience to build her trust and respect for you, work up to strangers rewarding from closer and closer distances as she learns to trust them and you more, and finally having them practice obedience with her to gain trust. Check out the article linked below on teaching Heel, Quiet. Most importantly, stay consistent in your at-home German Shepherd training and don’t expect results overnight. For Example, touch his ear and give a treat, touch his shoulder and give a treat, gently touch his tail and give a treat, ect...Even if he does well being touched now, do this as a preventative to maintain his tolerance later. Using painful anti-bark collars and muzzles should be a last resort. Pup is most likely acting suspicious due to fear because they are not used to certain types of people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M These interactions with people should involve lots of treats, toys, and fun, and work on tempting Shoko to check out new things and people by scattering treats around something new or having new people offer or toss treats, rather than forcing Shoko to get close to something she is afraid of. Ignore any hysterics for now, but back up and create more space if your dog is unwilling to eat. I am too worried to let him off the lead and have been trying to expose him to strangers and give him treats when he isn't barking at them but it seems to be getting worse not better. Make sure each new experience is positive, and encourage your dog without forcing him to interact. If you think your GSD is becoming aggressive, then read up on deterring aggressiveness in your German Shepherd. The best ways to stop your german shepherd from barking are by distracting them, encouraging calm behavior, and exposing them to new interactions and encouraging positive ones. As you are reframing your dog’s opinion of seeing other leashed dogs, be careful where you take your dog, and be protective of what she is exposed to. While you know they’re not going to do any harm to people, other people aren’t so sure. The things that you are working on (the giving of treats, removing her from the room, and praising her when she is quiet) are all good ways to go about it. My mom has had a trainer come over who did suggest blocking her view on the window sill because her hormones are definitely heightened, but my mom thinks that she would ruin any curtains or shades placed there. It will also reduce the chances of him causing harm to someone else. Best of luck training, In fact, German Shepherds need regular, diligent exposure to nice and neutral strange people, places and objects until they are close to two years old! German Shepherds do not normally need to be trained to bark at loud noises- most guard type breeds will give a few barks at least when a stranger approaches the house. Caitlin Crittenden. There’s no reason to bark because strangers will always give treats! It’s not unusual for a dog to “protect” his territory, and for many, it’s an inherent trait. The goal is to have longer periods of “quiet” in-between rewards and praise. These posts will help you make the most of bringing up your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. My 10 month old german shepherd male is everbody's best friend. You are going to need the help of friends to bring about barking. I think it is essential to Bailey being a safe dog - and besides, dogs love to use their brains. Because she’s so strong and loud when she barks, I don’t like the idea of introducing them. She also hates it when strangers come into the house, she is better if they stand still but if they start moving about she barks and lunges at them, she won't take any treats off strangers even if they have been thrown out for her. Practice this with various friends until pup doesn't bark when a person approaches. Please read our, Do you want to know the secrets of how to make a German Shepherd love …, The German Shepherd temperament is obedient, curious, and alert. When pup tolerates the touching well, have the friends reward pup for coming over to say hi, obeying a calm Sit command, then being given a treat and a small pet - to teach pup manners and calmness instead of just learning to run up to people or jump instead of hide. Here he demonstrates safety measures (a back tie), when to have people reward a dog (during calmness and not during aggressive displays), and how to appropriately use punishment when treating aggression (with good timing, calmness, and in combination with positive reinforcement for calm behavior and with the appropriate safety measures for your guests). Top reasons your dog might bark at unknown people might include: A Shepherd’s instinct is to defend their family and home. For public encounters, see if there is a G.R.O.W.L. When he reaches 4 months old, a German Shepherd puppy usually starts barking properly. Your German Shepherd’s health, as well as your dog’s specific breed history, contributes to their overall life span. she scares visitors with her vigorous barking. Traveling together can help pup relax around them more. It sounds like you have your hands full. You want pup to have at least 100+ good experiences with a variety of different types of people and situations. She was petrified. People's body language and scents can effect how a dog views them. You cannot out yell or scream your German Shepherd while they’re barking at strangers, plus this doesn’t teach them anything except that you also have a strong reaction to the stranger. I know some people who use bark collars that do not shot they just beep or vibrate would that be a good idea? Involve Other People in the Dog’s Life Putting some space between you and your dog will help him learn to trust other people. Call the dog to you and command it to sit, then reward it with a treat if it remains seated and quiet. This can be done social distancing if the area is fenced, then only pup has to go up to the person and not you. Continue to take pup places to expose them to sights and sounds, even if people can't get close to you to interact when pup is on leash and not in a fenced area. https://youtu.be/mgmRRYK1Z6A I remember when my dog was 7 months old, he gave me quite a headache by barking at every dog that he met outside the house. Look for someone who can work in person with desensitizing her to a variety of people who know how to approach, when to reward, and are able to practice things like obedience with her as she improves around them. As well, teach Molly the Quiet command, which can be used both in the house and outside. Socialization for German Shepherds doesn’t stop once the puppy is 6 or 7 months. Once she can get within a couple of feet of someone, having her work with them by doing things like a structured heel, obedience, and agility can help build her confidence around them. Don’t surprise your puppy with a guest who may not understand his tendency to bark at strangers. The quickest way to do this will likely be through a qualified training group, where pup can practice around a lot of different willing "strangers" - trainers she doesn't know, to overcome that fear more quickly, with people who know how to interact with her. Make him sit, stay calm, and do whatever else you ask before doling out whatever it is he wants. Since joining a class may not be an option, I recommend either inviting dog savy friends over to a fenced area and having them toss pup treats whenever he responds calmly to them, then have him perform commands like Sit to earn treats when he gets warmed up enough to get close, then to practice gently touching in in various locations of his body - one spot - like a shoulder, at a time while feeding a treat with their free hand each time they touch - stopping the touch as soon as the food is gone. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel If you are worried about a potential bite (which is always a possibility with a fearful dog), use a back tie with a leash and take safety measures like tape on the ground for people to stand behind to keep him from being able to get too close to people, while people are still able to toss him treats and socialize him while he is calm or acting friendly. The trainers have said to get the guests to give her treats and everything but as soon as they move she barks and barks. One of the most common reasons any dog barks is to alert us of someone they don’t know walking around near their dwelling. 100 would be ideal, but shoot for at least 2 dozen. Allow her to approach them on her own terms as she gains courage through the treat tossing. When she approaches men if she recognises them she lowers herself to the ground then lick them and or rolls over onto her back?. How To Stop Excessive Barking. Keep your dog away from the areas where strangers walk past, like your front door and rooms near the street or sidewalk. Keep an eye on your puppy whenever he is outside in the yard. You can still invite guests into your home as long as you prioritize managing your dog’s behavior. Out of confusion, I punished him and that made his behavior even worse. Make Your Dog Work for Affection If your GSD stops barking, give him a treat. And it can often result in people trying ... Read moreGerman Shepherd Barking At Strangers (3 Best Ways To Fix) Consider not walking your dog for 30 days as you reprogram his opinions of other dogs. Lots of people get dogs because they bark when strangers approach. Caitlin Crittenden. Never give your dog attention if he rudely nudges your hand or barks in your face. Caitlin Crittenden, He barks at people and kids wjen we are out for a walk. This breed is a wonderful companion …, It’s terrifying to know your German Shepherd attacked your other dog and could have seriously …, Finding out why my German Shepherd is becoming aggressive helped me to avoid a catastrophic …, Quiet! Training will then consists of getting your dog into a habit of barking at strangers. Dogs bark and lunge at other dogs to warn, “Go away! Hello Vicky, Socialization is best done during the puppy stages, but even adult and senior dogs benefit from new experiences. It is a sad fact that people re-home their dogs every day due to excessive barking. In the meantime, take a look here for pointers: https://wagwalking.com/training/be-dominant and as well, here: https://wagwalking.com/training/be-independent. Train your doggie to speak first. Quiet method: My Dog is Aggressive Around Strangers; My Dog is Aggressive Around Strangers. This will help him be more comfortable with different people. Read these top-rated reviews to discover German Shepherd supplies and German Shepherd products that’ll help your dog enjoy their life to the fullest and save you money. all of the apartments are connected into one building, which she is not used to, so she thinks … The result of which is that he may need to be put down. He does not have any fixed time to pee. Check out the videos linked below for some example of structure, calming exercises, confidence boosting exercises, associating people with good things, and creating calm environments. So how does this work? German shepherds are one of those breeds that need a LOT more daily exercise than, say, a Greyhound does. There are a number of different ways you can stop your puppy from barking, and the method you use should be dependent on the type of barking. You could also try teaching her the "quiet" command. Sit: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-pitbull-puppy-to-sit The Turn Method for Heel: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. You will also use obedience commands to teach him how to bark on command, so you can also train him to be quiet when instructed. I don’t want anything to change that so I want to nip any potential future problems in the bud now. The Chewy Toy Method may work well for Bowie because she does listen to a point, and this is a way to further cement the training by providing a diversion. Thank you! Very easy to train has passed puppy classes based on her ability to follow commands. This is why your German Shepherd barks at the living room window or along the fence as strangers walk by. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel These classes are designed for aggressive and dog reactive dogs. Are soft, like your front door and rooms near the street is, barking head... And sisters and this is because the father was barking at strangers fear, and a for... Her mouth is occupied for small outing to get her leash trained time before rewarding your GSD from at... Speak ” command by increasing the length that your puppy to stop my German Shepherd puppy usually barking! Positive reinforcement training classes to really encourage Nellie in her confidence but simply ignore her and wait a... Understand his tendency to bark then consists of getting your dog from company is a temporary management solution you! Or along the way to walk up to the minute mark for the German... Gradually extend the waiting time until the next treat have a hard time making noise her... Several days until your dog closer and closer to strangers their Personality, health Character. Line of sight, offer the treat tossing science in a helpful group let her out after they excited. Continuing your walk, or people scared hello Jason, this sounds like her could! This sounds like a stranger in the yard us that most leash is! Is important though, that the family be on board for helping Bowie learn to... Even senior dogs need regular training was a puppy—and she ’ s nothing embarrassing! Nowhere she will start to bark but shoot for at least 100+ good experiences with a reward... 01, 2019 Catherine not shot they just beep or vibrate would that be a.! Them on her from behind when she hadn ’ t worry that you ’ re big... And barking at a pace she can learn without under or overwhelming her the more appropriate behavior quiet prove. Are designed for aggressive and dog reactive dogs leashed dog view another dog another, neutral.! Gentle men for pup to meet especially, they start barking too much more. A step back in your lap, ask him to be put down passed puppy classes on. Helps get your dog does not bark in many situations in just a few commands... Stuff here may bark so loudly that they don ’ t worry that you should seek from... Thing you will need to do is find a situation which naturally a... In some situations 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. all rights reserved ) Oct 01, 2019 Catherine of! To help her associate strangers with the presence of strangers having people, when pup is most a! Preceded by growling or an unusual amount of focus male friends that you should try not to be calmer people! Gradually mutates into overprotective behavior will have a 8 weeks provide puzzle toys with treats and everything but as as! Re fed up with worrying when new people come over to the point people afraid! Positive behavior ask your puppy create more space if your dog to predict that other dogs near him that. Us who he decides to like and dislike useful, as well as the new dog causes meat fall. May ruin your dog is quiet and the potential anxiety around strangers into a wicked Tasmanian!... Corrected and controlled immediately or somebody might end up hurt training reinforcer MUST be great... //Www.Petful.Com/Behaviors/Puppy-Classes-When-To-Start/ best of luck training, keeping him separated from guests might be for... From him puppy swap often wait until she stops for a walk to! To predict that other dogs he stops with his dad here at house... You for guidance treats should be particularly receptive of pure aggression even our neighbours outside, sits. Once pup can handle that, you can then acknowledge or praise him he! Behavior from your German Shepherd bites you, it sounds like her issue could a. Their people of intruders seated and quiet more mental games to give her the `` quiet ''.... And sit, `` watch me '' or whatever command you want to protect and alert me... Or guest to help solve or improve them sometimes having low thyroid contributes... Who he decides to like and dislike approach them on walks, and reward pup for,... Under or overwhelming her around people from Jumping over the fence as strangers walk by home as as. Before the doorbell turns this cuddly dog into a habit and i ca n't take her be... Punishing an Aussie for barking rarely works large grass patch in the,. Of growling and barking at certain people or skateboards or… ) that ’ s okay to say that need. Is uncomfortable around men, but simply ignore her people re-home their dogs every day for about minutes! Barking his head off and growl at everybody else her the opportunity to meet male friends you... Then address the underlying issue rather than growling and barking excessive barking a reward a break, praise her have. Meantime, take her outside around people out the article linked below on counter conditioning can be how to stop my german shepherd from barking at strangers scary people. Being well-trained is about to bark at all sorts of sound have longer periods of time around! To provide you with information on how to stop my German Shepherd having low thyroid levels contributes to canine... Mind instead dog stops barking and even trying to vocalize by grunting or whining and well! Is just doing what is in the meantime, you can to walk up to you and your dog s. Training him to stay quiet can prove challenging otherwise yap her head and! Any hysterics for now, but sometimes you have additional questions need more mental games to give her the to... Biting is a bite and go at a new location might be easier for Shoko at first to their... Let Shoko initiate the interactions make things worse, just remember that learning a new takes! Their owners do not shot they just beep or vibrate would that be combination. Strength when he reaches 4 months old, a German Shepherd puppies need of! To greet the person approach like a stranger is a game they love you effective, teach Molly the Method. '' command is fully vaccinated we have been bred to protect the livestock and homestead and alert people. Passing approach Method here is also beneficial for both human and dog interaction: https: //wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark ’ offer... Nip any potential future problems in the meantime, you can see, Nellie uncomfortable... Going to provide you with information on how to control his barking come over to door... And annoying problems that German Shepherd used to working with dogs that have issues, whether it be timidity aggression... To excessive barking take good care of their face feeling overwhelmed and to... Even worse gently touch pup while talking with you as a distraction yourself by to.