When Bojer is barking in his crate we have recently started using a squirt bottle with water and a littel bit of vinegar and saying "Quiet" and giving him a spray. He seems to respond to it because he is not barking after that, but is that bad to do that when he is in the crate, will he assocaite the crate with getting the spray. He is six months old and he always gets treats when he goes in his crate and he goes in the freely, But his barking has gotten to much for my fiancee and me so we will try anything. He is crated all day with a dog walker once a day, but we are looking this week at doggy day care, which I think will be the best for him. Any ideas?
Barking More Than Ever!
- Thread starter Bojerpup
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Cami
Boxer Insane
I would stop squirting your dog while in the crate. A crate is supposed to be a safe haven and it sounds like you are not providing that by what you are doing. You are of course stopping the problem (barking) but not stopping the true cause of the barking.
I would try to figure out the cause of the barking. Is he not tired out enough before going in? Is he bored? Are there safe chews and or toys for him to play with while in there?
When you say crated all day how long are we talking? A mid-day dog walker is great but may not be spending enough time with him to burn off all of that boxer puppy energy. I suppose that he may be sufferring from some sort of seperation anxiety, but if he is barking while you are home, and in the crate then I would tend to think that boredom is playing some sort of issue as well.
I would try using the quiet command when the barking starts, minus the squirt bottle and then when he does stop barking then immediately offer up lots of praise/treats. You might have to "retrain" the crate. Start by pretending like it is his first time being in a crate, baby steps. He goes in without issue, praise and treat. Let him out, continue this multiple times. Only treat when he is being quiet, or even only open the door when he is not barking. Make it very short attempts time wise. He needs to know what is the proper way to behave while in there. Just be patient and persistant.
The doggie daycare sounds great also. But I would still get to the root of the original problem with the barking so that a daycare doesn't have to be relied on long term.
Good-Luck
I would try to figure out the cause of the barking. Is he not tired out enough before going in? Is he bored? Are there safe chews and or toys for him to play with while in there?
When you say crated all day how long are we talking? A mid-day dog walker is great but may not be spending enough time with him to burn off all of that boxer puppy energy. I suppose that he may be sufferring from some sort of seperation anxiety, but if he is barking while you are home, and in the crate then I would tend to think that boredom is playing some sort of issue as well.
I would try using the quiet command when the barking starts, minus the squirt bottle and then when he does stop barking then immediately offer up lots of praise/treats. You might have to "retrain" the crate. Start by pretending like it is his first time being in a crate, baby steps. He goes in without issue, praise and treat. Let him out, continue this multiple times. Only treat when he is being quiet, or even only open the door when he is not barking. Make it very short attempts time wise. He needs to know what is the proper way to behave while in there. Just be patient and persistant.
The doggie daycare sounds great also. But I would still get to the root of the original problem with the barking so that a daycare doesn't have to be relied on long term.
Good-Luck
I would ditch the squirt bottle (definitely get RID of the vinegar - that's just nasty and it could get in his eyes).
How much time in total is your pup spending in his crate? I understand it's during the day with a walker coming mid way to let him out for a bit, but is he there at night too? Is that when he's barking and driving you nuts? If so, I think the root of your problem is a bored dog who needs more time out the crate, and something to do while he is in there. Actually, its probably the root of the problem whether he's in there at night too or not. I think your idea of doggy day care is a good one
It's good for him to be able to socialise with other dogs during the day.
But back to the crate and barking thing. I can understand your frustration, but by giving him attention when he barks (even negative attention is better than none at all) then you're actually reinforcing the behaviour. I would suggest as little time in the crate as possible, and that you steadfastly ignore any barking he does while he is in there. Difficult, I know, and it may get worse before it gets better, but its the only way to rid him of the notion that barking is going to get your attention and/or him out of his crate.
How much time in total is your pup spending in his crate? I understand it's during the day with a walker coming mid way to let him out for a bit, but is he there at night too? Is that when he's barking and driving you nuts? If so, I think the root of your problem is a bored dog who needs more time out the crate, and something to do while he is in there. Actually, its probably the root of the problem whether he's in there at night too or not. I think your idea of doggy day care is a good one
It's good for him to be able to socialise with other dogs during the day.But back to the crate and barking thing. I can understand your frustration, but by giving him attention when he barks (even negative attention is better than none at all) then you're actually reinforcing the behaviour. I would suggest as little time in the crate as possible, and that you steadfastly ignore any barking he does while he is in there. Difficult, I know, and it may get worse before it gets better, but its the only way to rid him of the notion that barking is going to get your attention and/or him out of his crate.
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