You have very thoughtful questions. I think you'd enjoy the writings of two authors that are among my favorites: Patricia McConnell and Temple Grandin--both of whom have written several books about the way animals think, and the way humans interact with animals.
Ms. Granlin is fabulous! She lends such insight. After hearing her I thought "This is so simple! Why didn't we understand all this earlier." Most of what I have heard from her pertains to dairy cattle, but I am sure she is just as competent on other animals as well.
You have very thoughtful questions. I think you'd enjoy the writings of two authors that are among my favorites: Patricia McConnell and Temple Grandin--both of whom have written several books about the way animals think, and the way humans interact with animals.
Thank you! Last night we watched the Temple Grandin movie, and I ordered her book online while watching...
Lynne Barrows Webboard User Reg: 09-22-2007
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Quote: arik kershenbaum
Similarly, concerning consistency, every time we demand of dogs to act against their nature, we're pushing uphill. Sometimes it's necessary, but it makes our work harder. Dogs bark at intruders. Is it better to be "consistent" and demand that they never do so? On the other hand, we could we expect only partial compliance - at the cost of possibly confusing them with inconsistency.
I'm not a professional dog trainer, and I have little experience of dogs at all (3 years with Darwin), but it is kind of my job to ask these questions and understand what makes them who they are.
Arik, that's an interesting way to look at it, and a valid one, IMO. So you need to tackle it from a different angle if you are receiving partial compliance, by asking him to give you an alternative behavior as opposed to asking him to discontinue a behavior.
(caveat: I am by no means an expert and I have my own issues with reactivity at the door that we are working on}
For example, you may find it more effective to acknowledge what he's barking at. 'OK, Darwin, I see it', and then move on to another command that he knows well, and mark and reward it when he complies. (as opposed to giving him a 'no bark' command)
If it's in paticular situations that he barks, you can work on desensitizing him in those situations. There are lots of good threads here on desensitization...
For example, you may find it more effective to acknowledge what he's barking at.
Absolutely right. I can often tell from his bark and posture what's brought it on, then I sometimes join him at the window to make it clear that we recognise that he's trying to communicate. Just to demand silence, IMO, would frustrate him, as he's barking for a reason, not to annoy us. If I don't want to go to the window and he doesn't respond to "no bark", then I insist on a "come", and reward him heavily.
When I tell him not to bark he sometimes gives the cutest Homer Simpson d'oh of frustration...
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Re: Another odd barking question
[Re: Tracy Collins ]
#328691 - 04/20/2011 03:29 PM 
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