Barking Boxer

[JennieandMax]

My little Max has developed a new habit -- barking at me and my husband. This started about a month or so ago. I should say that he doesn't really bark so much as he ``arfs,'' which is adorable in small doses. This can go on for 20 or more minutes. I know he's doing it for attention and he must think it's working or else he wouldn't keep it up. He'll get right in your face and arf and arf and arf.

I tried a recommendation from ``The Dog Listener'' where you exclude the dog from the pack when he does something you don't like. It worked for that day, but that was it. Plus, how can I ignore that adorable face?!

I thought boxers were a quiet breed?! Max will be 10 months old this month, is this just a phase?

Help! I mean, Arf!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Trying something once or for one day isn't going to work. It takes persistence, consistency and patience. You didn't learn how to drive in one lesson and the dog isn't going to learn that barking at you is no way to get attention in one day or one try.

It seems obvious from your post that you cannot ignore your pup when he does this and therefore he is winning and getting just want he wants from the barking.

If you are going to try a method of correcting behavior, give it some time and keep after it or it will never, ever work.

 

[PingsMomNiki]

LOL he's just 10 months old and havin fun.. just play with him and give him lots of attention, especially right now at his age... he just wants to play! :D

 

[Jaime&Louie]

What I used to do is distract him. I wouldn't give him the needed attention that he was demanding from barking in my face, I would turn his attention to a chew, or a toy and get up and walk away. Eventually he learned. Distraction is good with this breed because they're so ADD as it is that their attention spans are very short and are happy to go from barking in your face to chewing on a good chew.
Just my two cents... good luck!!!

 

[Jade010103]

My Jade (22 months) still barks at me sometimes when she wants to play and it's only when she's feeling fiesty. I can't just sit there and ignore her I have to actually get up and walk somewhere else always keeping my back to her cuz I half to laugh when she does it cuz it's so funny. She is getting better at it and it doesn't happen alot anymore but she does still try, you just have to ignore it or they'll never stop.

 

[Kiwi_Storm]

Yet another thing I have gone through with Storm! We too couldn't ignore the barking but what worked for us (and yes I know its hard!) is quietly getting up and leading her out the door and shutting it. You have to do it EVERY time! If you do the barking will soon stop and he will learn that it doesn't get him anywhere. It is one lesson she learnt pretty quickly actually.