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Barking at people walking by your home
Hi all! If a dog is inside constantly staring out of a window and barks at everyone passing by – I know to teach a leave it and an over aroused dog that barks should not be staring out of a window correct? Are we setting them up for failure by trying to mitigate the behavior by allowing them to look out the window? But then again, I feel like if we can train the dog to not bark at people who pass by – is looking out the window a form of enrichment? What are your thoughts about dogs looking out of windows? Thx!
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9 Replies
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@JCongdon , if there’s constant barking, I personally would opt for making those particular viewing windows unavailable to the dog when training is not taking place. A baby gate, so there’s no access to the room, or opaque window film to block the dog’s view = easy management strategies.
When the person is ready to train, they could mark and reward the dog for noticing the trigger outside, ideally before the dog let’s out a single woof.
Perhaps other windows in the house can remain available to the dog if he is able to quietly view less arousing things from there — maybe birds and squirrels…?
I’d also want to make sure the dog’s aerobic exercise needs are being met and that there is plenty more enrichment in the dog’s daily routine so he has fun alternatives to pass the time: treasure hunts, food puzzles, etc. -
@JCongdon I love that you are asking this question:
Is it enrichment?
Emily Strong, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World defines enrichment: meeting animals’ needs in order to empower them to perform species-typical behaviors in safe, healthy, and appropriate ways.
Over-arousal and frustration at the window may not fit that definition. ????
Here’s a liink to a post with the whole interview I did with the book authors a few years ago (! – I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 years!) https://mycatchcampus.com/forums/discussion/entire-enrichment-chat-recording-link-here/
What are some activities this dog may enjoy, that might decrease their vigilance and increase their quality of life?
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Also, yes, if the owner wishes to eliminate barking at the window, then window cling or a barrier is your best bet. A “Leave it” only works if someone is home to say it, and if the dog is practicing the behavior, it will be very difficult to change.
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Totally agree, @catherine .
Personally, I am against dogs looking out the window, unless they are unphased by dogs, squirrels, people, cars…if they are just casually looking out, like, “Hey, my owner is home!,” or, “oooh, here comes my favorite dog walker!”, then OK, no biggie.
As a dog walker, I know this ain’t the case! So many dogs bored, searching for something to bark at, and, worse: they are reinforced for barking by that trigger “going away”. So, they feel like they made that happen and will do it again, over and over. Their stress levels are heightened and they are not able to come down from it when something else spooks them…well, trigger stacking can happen.
I don’t know why people think their dogs NEED to look out a window! I just don’t get it.
I have met a number of cute dogs (some walking clients and some we walk past) who can lie there at the front door and lazily watch dogs being walked and not say a peep. Maybe this is a form of enrichment for those dogs, but maybe they wish they had something more constructive to do. It’s always a good idea to give them a chew or puzzle to instead, I think.
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@bernerlabreclectus spot on, with your comments about reinforcement and trigger stacking – great education points for clients here!
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Thank you for your insights. My initial reaction is reactive dogs to outside stimuli should not look out of windows. My poodle gets barky with certain people and dogs walking by but always responds to a leave it. But correct and good point – when I am not there, I am sure there is a lot of reinforced barking!
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Yup! ????
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I agree with @catherine and @virginiad about using something to cover those particular windows. WHY IS EVERY DOG OWNER SO AFRAID TO DO THIS SIMPLE THING?!? Argh…I really do not understand the “need” people think their dogs have to look out of windows.
I like frosting them over with the window decal stuff, but you could use cheapo wax paper. It doesn’t have to be the WHOLE window, just the height the dog can see out.
I also like those dressing-type folding screens. Some are quite lovely and you can zip tie them to hooks bolted to the window or wall, if need to secure. Some dogs are afraid to knock a gate down and others seem to live for it, lol.
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I get that it can be super frustrating to deal with constant barking, Paula, especially when we know how effective management can be. Many dog owners may truly believe they’re enriching their dog’s lives by giving them a window view, thinking it’s a great way to expand their world.
Case in point – have you seen the privacy fences with the bubbles so the dogs can look out? That’s always struck me as a terrible idea, especially with multiple dogs. (Insert redirected biting here.) Since people are naturally so visual, it might not occur to them that the dog’s experience is different or that a sniffy walk would be far more fulfilling. Or that hiring a dog walker is a better use of funds! ha! – Another side note: I went looking for an image to add to this post and with the photo I found on Amazon was this language:
- Satisfy your curious pet with this pet peek window. Let them worry less about what’s out of the fence.
- It can help stop dog jumping the fence, keep them and passerby safe.
No wonder people think looking out is a good idea! Let’s remember our role is to gently share knowledge, build understanding, and create more compassionate solutions for both dogs and their people. Your clients are lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you to help guide them!
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