Barking...should I be worried?

[kian]

Dang Deb, I was going to address the "Dear old Mum" comment.....banging head here....

Rob, Deb and I are both long term members and moderators as well. FYI: We do know each other as well.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kian, no worries angel. You were addressing the actual issue, for which we are always all grateful.

I felt the need to address the manner in which I had been referred, in the third party even, despite my contribution to this thread. This is a community, and as I had already explained, We know Kathryn, and we know the issues she has already faced with Douglas. For someone to just pop on here and take a post out of context, essentially, without the knowledge we already have, with no background information or even a completed profile (didn't know there was one....then how did one join?!) is insulting.

I am so glad you provided a more articulate response than I ever could have to this issue. I can teach my dogs to do what I wish, but I'm not very good at explaining it to others, sometimes. Lastly, I don't enjoy being made to feel like I'm some old lady, holed up with her yappy Cavaliers when those who know me clearly know that is not the case.

Don't bang your head darling. We're alright.

[kurimusoda]

Perhaps the barking isn't too bad now but I'd for sure want to have trained so that it was controllable now and in the future.

I guess I have never thought about anything ever going "out of control," since I've always been proactive rather than reactive with training. But I can see how this type of situation may go out of hand if the owner were to leave it up to chance and not attempt any type of training.

You speak of all the advice; there is a reason for the expression "too many cooks spoil the stew". Everyone may be well intentioned (including me) but it's so easy to get conflicting advice.

Maybe it's from my experience in graduate school, but I've always tried to gather as much information as possible and then spend some time to digest all of it. And you're right, oftentimes that will include conflicting information. It's not that I will take all the advice and use it all at once and all together. I make a clear concise plan with training and stick with it to give it a chance, if it's proving to be ineffective then it's time to reexamine and make another plan. But that's just my style

Here's some more! Go on Amazon; read the reviews on dog training books, pick out three or four. Get them through inter-library loan and read them. Make your "pick of the litter" and buy it, digest it, use it. With one book you will get a field proven guide for your training. The writer/trainer will have ironed out inconsistencies and given you the polished result.

I love this idea! I turn to Amazon all the time for their great reviews--don't know why I didn't think to use it to pick out an effective training book.

The Nylabones: somewhere I read or heard about those things causing problems to the digestive tract, something about being plastic and not subject to digestive juices.

I'll keep this short since this isn't the appropriate thread to go into detail about this. There has been much discussion on DP about proper chews and in particular Nylabones. Nylabones happen to work for us and we've had zero issues with them

As for giant breed dogs and the skeletal problems related to them--I have thoroughly researched and addressed all those issues (anywhere from time of neuter to types of food). At his check-up exam and vaccine booster trip to the vet, we will double-check with his vet to see if he needs his bones x-ray'd to make sure they're developing properly.

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Also... training update! \o/

Today was the first day working in a controlled and simulated situation! Periodically throughout the day I played the doorbell sound effect on my computer. The first time Douglas barked and started going for the front door (our office is located upstairs), I let him have two barks and called him back to me. After the next bark I used a firm "no," and put him in a sit+down. He did his usual "harumphs," but settled down. After he settled down he got a pat on the head and a calm "good boy."

Each following time it took him less and less time to settle down, and he voiced less "harumphs."

Now I'm just waiting for a delivery or visitor!

[oldie moldy]

Well I've been mulling all this over and I must say it's been stimulating.
Kian, Pondering the warning about the hand on the muzzle. I completely missed the aspect that you're hosting a forum and advice given might well be misapplied by some unfortunate. Some poor soul who had adopted a rescued pit bull who had been abused is setting on a bomb and my technique probably will get him hurt. Good call. With all my dogs, starting from puppy hood on I lovingly handle them just about every which way. Get him on his back and check the toes for cheat-grass seeds, tummy and arm pits for ticks, toe nails for trimming, and so on. And along with checking his teeth and gums, I also sniff his ears. Might sound a little kinky but I need to first know what the ear smells like when it's healthy and then if it ever smells like old gym socks I know we've got an ear infection. (off to the vet) My point being that my dogs haven't ever had a time where they haven't had me handling them. Now, I think probably most all dogs at some point (teen-age dogs) try it on for size to see if they can get away with showing a little growl or threat behavior to the master. If the owner allows this to pass uncorrected the dog will only continue and get worse. My dogs know that I'm the boss and you bite me at your peril. This really is the only instance of aggression that I've seen in "normal" life and it's easily to deal with it. Of course we've all heard of the dog on the chain who is teased by kids and becomes aggressive and other and worse situations but I see those as outside the normal man-dog relationship.

Now Deb, (Deb is it??) You can call me oldie, moldy, rob, moldy rob, oldie rob or anything else you can think of and I don't much care. The only things I get angry about any more is people who hurt kids or dogs.
Given that you seem to be running a forum open to the public and dead easy to join, if you expect the new person to serve some sort of apprentice ship before posting opinions maybe you ought to make that clear. If you'd like to be regarded as the "Great and Terrible Oz" of the daily puppy maybe you ought to put up a sign. Of course, I'm an American and of a generation that doesn't do grovel very well. I've come to understand you know Douglas and Kathryn and Kian and you all know each other back and forth and have a long history and regard my intrusion as trespassing. Fine. Sorry. But if I might make a suggestion: when ever I want to have a private conversation I pick up the phone. It's a little less public than an inter-net forum.

Kathryn, I'm glad things are working out for you and Douglas. You are coming across much more able than I first thought. I'm not so worried for you both now.
One little observation if I may; you spoke of German Shepherds and barking. It's a general problem, people get a dog because they like the looks of it or saw a movie with that kind of dog in it and really the people have no idea of what kind of role the dog will have in their family. "But he was so cute when he was a pup!" And as a adult dog the poor thing is bored silly. And barks. Working dogs like the GSD are very bright and make wonderful partners, but confined to solitary go a little nutty as you or I would do. I'm sure you knew that, I just had to stick up for one of my favorite dogs.
Best Wishes, Rob

[kian]

Rob please don't think your trespassing, we do not make the forum rules, we just enforce when needed such as the video spammers as of late. Everyone is welcome and you most certainly are. It would wonderful for you to introduce yourself and your pack in the introduction section so we can know you a little better. Your right about GSD's, so many people will get a stong dog and have no clue as to what to do with the dog. That is where I make my money, mostly it's because of owners novice and uneducation regarding the dog they have chosen.

If a older dog begins to growl at it's owner, first thing I suggest is a medical evaluation including all blood work. As dogs age, they can't tell us if they don't feel well, so they might growl. It's something we all go through as our dogs age, if it becomes behavioral then I look closely at the owner. A grow is a clear warning, one to be respected.

Anyway, Welcome Rob!

Kathryn when I'm working with a new pup or doing some behaviour reinforcement with mine, I have been known to recruit some neighbour kids to help,depending on what I'm working on. They are good to knock on the door, most will do anything for a popsicle! Of course I know thier parents, so that makes it easier.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Now Deb, (Deb is it??) If you'd like to be regarded as the "Great and Terrible Oz" of the daily puppy maybe you ought to put up a sign. Of course, I'm an American...
Best Wishes, Rob

I give up! I responded to you in a polite manner, even suggesting that there are things I could probably learn from you, and I welcomed you to this Forum. I also was the one who indicated that we never know who is going to read these posts, and therefore must assume the reader may or may not be familiar with dogs and for that reason, we must have measured responses, but it was kind of you to give the credit for that to Kian.

Kian is perhaps one of the best trainers I know, and she has the ability to explain things in such a fashion that the least bright among us can understand. This Forum is enhanced by her presence and we are all grateful.

You sound like an intelligent, articulate man whom I'm quite sure will have a great deal of good, common sense to offer.

[Nileska]

Kathryn,I admire your methodical approach to collecting "dog savy" and applying it to Douglas.You are much more advanced than I was at your age...(I am just guessing) My parents were not dog people though I had a couple of dogs when I was quite young,a pack of Coonhounds and beagles in my 30s then didnt get into northern breeds till much later.

Once I had the wild Siberians to train I joined an obedience training club where I had some good instructors.We were encouraged to compete in obedience trials which were often in conjunction with all breed shows...AHA ! I had found my niche....I had started breeding and wanted to show my own dogs so off to confirmation/showmanship classes with the pups.

Once again I had a great instructor and I took her class several times over,each time with a different dog...Once I was emeshed in the show world I found people who were eager to mentor me if I was willing to learn and I find even today there is always more to learn...Good luck Kathryn and never stop learning.

[kurimusoda]

Thank you Richard for your kind words! Looking at a list of commands needed in obedience trials, they sure seem advanced--and great mental/physical stimulation for working dog breeds. I had considered "canine freestyle" with Douglas as a way of exercise and training practice, but I'm afraid he would knock me over when attempting those figure 8's between the legs

An update on Douglas! It's been a little over a month since my original post, and the good news is that Douglas has been doing great on his barking (or should I say, lack of barking)

Doorbell:
At the sound of the doorbell (whether real or played on the computer), Douglas will usually bark once or twice. Now I don't even need to give the command, I just need to simply LOOK at him and he'll do "down" (complete with his head down too).

Footsteps outside the bedroom door:
He still doesn't remember house guests from the night before (but like Deb said, that's normal). I let him have three barks, and then he quiets down after a sharp "NO!" However, if enough time passes, he'll forget AGAIN, and I'll have to correct him again. It's at least some progress

Thank you all for your support and great advice!