Barking question.......Pleasssse help!!

[kmzz]

Every other day I take Princess and my 3 yr old son to the park. Every time we go, she is constantly barking at the people. A lot of people want to come up and say hi, but they are affraid because of her bark. By the way, Princess will be 5 months old on April 1st. Some people are brave to come up, and actually pet her. She is okay with a majority of people. Is there a solution? I would really hate to stop taking to the park. She really likes going. Any suggestions are welcome. She also likes to use her leash as a tug toy. I am open for suggesstions. Thank you in advance. P.S. Tulsa-Dan I know you have some links that probably can help. I would appreciate it.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Here is an excellent thread on the subject, which is readily available to anyone by clicking the SEARCH ENGINE BUTTON!~


http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=48589&highlight=excessive+barking

 

[tfraile]

excessive barking at the park

I'd like to share what my trainer had me do. I walk two dogs, my boxer and my rottweiler. they both used to bark whenever they'd see someone coming towards us, and would even lunge at them which can be dangerous. I did two things. I changed their collars to the halti-type that slips over the muzzle and connects behind the ears. this allows me to control them with very little effort, and helps tremendously with the lunging.

secondly, I keep a pouch of small treats with me and as soon as I see someone coming, I start exclaiming with great happiness and joy, "oh boy, here comes a NICE person" and just keep at it, using a high and happy voice and constant treats. it is very likely that I'd get tense when I'd see someone coming towards us, and the dogs would sense this. the happy talk seems to diffuse this tenseness and has really worked. now my walks are much nicer, the dogs don't bark and lunge at people anymore. good luck!