[Dog Lover]

We have 2 Chocolate Labs. Hazel bark at everything and Mocha barks at hardly anything. We take our dogs just about everywhere with us. And now that it's summer time we're seeing more motorcycles. And unfortunatley motorcycles are neer the top on Hazel's to bark at list. At first I thought it was just the sound but we saw a parked one with no one on it and she went into a barking fit and wouldn't stop until we left. We try and distract her and tell her to calm down. I don't really feel comforatable scoldng her for barking but should I? I don't know what else to do!

Another thing on her to bark at list is the windows. We have a buch of windows in our living room so when the blinds are open she can look out and start barking over and over and over. When we look outside nothing is there! None if us get it so we close the blinds and let her calm down. As soon as she leaves the room we open them back up. A minute later she comes back to the living room because she wants to be with us (she doens't handle being left alone very well she's a people dog) and the whole thing starts over again. What can we do if there's nothing there?

She barks at other things as well like lawn mowers, bikes, people knocking on the door, anyone if they just came into the room (doesn't matter if they left then came right back in), I'm sure she barks at other stuff but that's all I can think of right now.

Thanks for listening!

[Curbside Prophet]

Systematic desensitization is the way to go here. There are several ways to do it, and I suggest that you leave the planning and training for both the barking and desensitization to sounds to a behaviorist who is able to see the dogs in their own environment. I do not recommend scolding the dog for barking because to your dog it may sound like you're barking yourself. You could give a command like "quiet" in a firm by calm tone, but unless your dog knows what "quiet" means it's useless. If you say "quiet" and the dog immediately settles, give plenty of praise. I'd say until you can get another pair of eyes to see the problem (a professional), I would reward all good behaviors, block your dog from open windows (even if it means not allowing your dog in the living room), and ignore all bad behaviors as a form of punishment.

[Dog Lover]

Ok, Thanks so much Curbside Prophet! But I do have another question where would I find a behaviorist? Just look them up in the phone book? Or do vets have people like this?

Thanks again!

[Curbside Prophet]

The answer to your questions are yes and yes, but you have to be careful. Certainly if you can get a recommendation from someone you know that would be the best way to go. Otherwise, review the thread titled "Big Mess"...I attempted to answer this exact question there. Let us know how your search goes.

[Dog Lover]

I looked at it and went to the link but there wern't any that were very close so I think I'm just going to ask my vet.

Thanks so much!

[opokki]

You might also be able to find someone here: http://apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx

Some of the trainers there do behavior consultations as well.

[Dog Lover]

Oh thanks opokki! There were some closer places in here I think I might try. Thanks!