How do I stop my dog from barking at the dog park?

Question

I recently adopted an Old English Sheepdog who is at least 5 years old. I have been told by a dog behaviourist that he is a well balanced dog. 

He is very good on his leash, as I can walk him loose-leashed and he heels very well.......

He likes to go to a large dog park near where I live. He gets along very well with other dogs with no aggressive behaviour at all.  He seems to be very well socialized.

I have him off-leash at the dog park, as all the other dogs are off-leash.

When he is in a group of dogs who are just walking around in the park, he will just stand there and bark among them, like he is saying "here I am".  

At least I THINK that is what he is doing. I am not 100% positive for his motive for this barking.......

He does not bark at one particular dog, he just barks in the midst of them and stands there barking.

When I feel that the other dogs (and dogs owners) have had enough, I will call him to move to a different area so they can get some "relief" from his barking, to "bother" another group of dogs and their owners.........LOL.....

When he is with one or two other dogs, or by himself at the dog park, he won't bark at all, just sniff and greet them. He enjoys running on the paths in the wooded section of the park and likes to go shoulder deep in the lake that is in the park.

I would really like him to stop this "here I am" barking.  Or at least keep it to a minimum.  I realize that his breed is instinctual for herding. Is this why he barks in a group of other dogs?

At home, he only barks when he hears a strange sound outside or someone is at the door, and then only barks once or twice, which for me, is acceptable. I want to let anyone at the door I have a dog in the house.....

How do I minimize or eliminate his barking when he is in a group of other dogs?

Lacey UD, RE · Accepted Answer

Sounds like he isn't barking because he wants to play since he's standing there.  This could be a fear response. Many rescues do not really know how to socialize with other dogs.  Dogs really aren't meant to be in large groups of strange dogs.  They would rather play with one or two close "friends". 

Ask the behaviorist to go to the park with you so that the behavior can be observed.  A good behaviorist should be able to pick up on the cause right away and help you train through it.

? · Answer

Why are not walks adequate? Canine parks are boring him. They furnish no optimistic bodily or intellectual activity. Walks must be every day. Then do an endeavor like obedience, rally-o, or agility. Every dog trained i know has stated canine parks are not for exercising, they're for the humans enjoyment. Dog parks must under no circumstances replace every day undertaking and activity. BTW in the event you didn't comprehend you mainly do though, but GSDs are herders. He's bored and looking to make the most out of this awful hindrance he's in (the dog park in situation of real recreation) and he is long gone to his roots with herding. Simply do other movements, and keep the canine park best a couple of times per week if you have got to. Solves your issues! Add: do not confuse stress with enjoyment. His "begging" to head to the dog park is apprehensive, excited, stress. He is no longer enjoying it, or getting exericse, peculiarly if all he's doing is barking at each factor. Task his intellect.. That you could also let him run in tennis courts, tuition playgrounds, ball fields, empty tons..Off hours of path however first-rate locations for being off leash.

? · Answer

You can put on an electric collar that will shock him when he is barking, so it will teach him not to bark. You can also try the treats method. If your dog starts barking, you can bust out a treat and he will be more interested in the treat and will immediately shut up. Obedient dogs will be very submissive when treats are involved. Good luck!

? · Answer

You can buy this thing that looks like an air horn and you let it off and it produces a sound which dogs hate and they stop barking... Very good can buy online or in local pet store... Or you can buy an anti bark collar which lets off something which they also hate (doesn't hurt them) and stops them from barking which doesn't require you to do anything

Anonymous · Answer

There are a bunch of things you should know about dog training but we are going to discuss what I feel are some the most important. Keep in mind that these are only some of the things you should know. Go here http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?Ep26

1. Repetition is the number 1 principle of dog training. Dogs just like humans learn by doing things over and over in order to get better. 

2. Dog Training can and should be fun for both you and your new pet. 

3. Training sessions should always be short but sweet. I never work a dog more than 15 minutes in a session to keep from losing the dog's attention. You should train you dog at least once a day but never more than three formal sessions a day. 

4. Your goal should be that each training session is just a little bit better than the last one. You need to always strive to make the training better, slowly. I mention this because quite often I see people who do daily training sessions but the dog never gets better and it is not the dogs fault. 

5. Having patients is very important in dog training. Losing your temper does not work with a canine it simply makes things worse. 

6. Exercise is very important in the training process to get rid of all the dogs nervous energy. 

7. Taking your pet for walks is very important because it develops serotonin which gives your dog a feeling of well being. 

8. Always be sure to give your dog a bunch of praise in your training. It is your dog's paycheck for doing a great job. 

9. Never hit your dog. I have heard people say I never hit my dog instead I roll up a magazine and swat it. It's the same thing... hitting is hitting. 

10. After each training session be sure to do something that your dog will enjoy. Take it for a walk, throw the ball or maybe even rub its belly. Just do something that makes the dog look forward to the next training session. 

These are things that I teach my dog training students as well as my dog training clients. I hope these things will give you something to think about when training your dog. Spend some time training your dog daily and you will both reap the benefits.

? · Answer

dont take him to the dog park

How do I stop my dog from barking at the dog park?

6 Answers