Oh the barking!!! (Mountainbiking,boxers and out of shape owners)

[Charlie-girl]

Hey guys,

Just came back from a mt bike ride with a friend and Charlie (13 month boxer babe). We have not done alot of riding as she just passed the 1 year "no go zone"but she has an annoying habit that she does with me and nobody else.

While riding she goes nuts barking at me and my bike, especially when we are moving slowly (climbing). If the person I am riding with gets ahead of me she will run up and run beside them for a while (no barking) then turn around, race back to me and bark like crazy. I am not sure if it is the combination of me on a bike or just the bike that gets her so vocal. (Maybe she sees the pain that I am going through )

When the bike is not being riden ( in the house) she ignores it. There sems to be a similar pattern when ever I try to vacum or use a shovel in he garden. She does the same thing by being very vocal and she does everything to grab the offending article from my hands.

I really want her to be able to come on my rides as it is a very effecive means of draining the bottomless pit of energy that she seems to have.

I think I need to get her out on a flat area with her on leash and every time she starts barking I will stop the ride. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Rich

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Don't give her any attention when she's barking. Continue on your ride and don't acknowledge it. She'll give it up when she finds it doesn't get her what she wants. . . . whatever that is

If she's barking because she wants you to stop, you've just reinforced her barking by stopping the ride when she barks. Since you don't know for sure what she's trying to tell you when she's barking at the bike, you should be careful of how you react to it. I think ignoring it is the best bet.

Good luck.

 

[Niladog]

Protecting or playing?

My girl is VERY protective of me and has similar behavioral traits. She seems to do it only to me and not my husband. We started using the spray bottle on her, and she seems to be responding well. I realize that you may not have room on the bike for the spray bottle, but you could try using your water bottle.

While it is annoying, her protectiveness is kind of cute!