Bernice: I would,nt know I,m a mouse not a dog!

Mousetrap: Speaking of mices.......the one that was living in my kitchen exhaust fan FINALLY left for the great outdoors

srnity: Don,t worry, it will be back for winter

Mousetrap: Oh nooooooooo, he's paying rent next year

Bernice: Are you home when he does this?

srnity: oh yes Im home.....he isnt allowed outside if Im not home....Im sitting in the pergola in the back yard and he races up and down the front fence, barking at all in sundry:(

Bernice: Maybe you could try carrying some small treats on you and when he starts, call him to you, get him to stay put near you, and give him one - I think dogs are like three-year-olds, they only get it when you do things over and over and over.................

Bernice: Damien needs to know the difference between barking at the fence because I am in the house and he is outside and he needs to "protect" and when I am standing out by it talking to the nieghbor.Your dog first need a VERY good grip on the basic sit command....I found that when Damien would go running up to the fence like a fruitloop...I would grab his kong (his absolute FAVORITE toy) walk over to him...stay calm,and very matter of fact with him...I would step into his view and tell him to sit..if he kept barking I would grab his collar and lead him away from the fence..tell him again to sit.If he did it he got his kong (but I wouldn't let go of it) I would keep the string in my hand..tell him good boy..pet him up..let him know THAT is what I wanted.I would start to talk to the nieghbor..still with the kong in his mouth and me playing with him..then I would give the out command and tell him O.K..to let him know he was relised from the sit..if he choose to hang out with me and want the kong to play then after one more sit (he works for everything he gets) he would get the kong free and clear to go play..if he chose to go back to the fence..the excercise would start over from square one.Honestly..if you can get a friend to help you do this..he will learn alot faster!! I agree 110% with srnity...you have to do this over and over and over..he will get it,it just takes time and ALOT of patience on your part,lol.Now...When the nieghbor walks up to the fence...Damien will run over and bark a few times..look back at me...if I command him away from the fence then he will come to my side or go get his toy.Good luck and let us know how it goes :)

anastasia: these arent neighbours :( they are from the caravan park down the road, all strangers...he barks at them all....every day there are different people....I live in a horse training area, where most my neighbours train horses...neighbours are OK...he dont bark, but when the owners of the horses come he goes beserk...too many strangers coming on our footpath is what gets him going....he will sit on command, always has, he shakes hands, (both hands...paws) singularly and both together when he sits up...he is obedient, he just hates strangers

Bernice: maybe thats not such a bad thing then him barking at them,lol?? But if it does annoy you you can still use my trick...just have to change it up a bit...use it more like a desensitising thing for him.