got a new dog... can anyone help me??

Hi everyone! I'm hoping some of you other dog owners can give me some advice. Four weeks ago we became the proud owners of Chelsea, a 5 year old cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle cross). We absolutely love her to pieces and for the most part she is an exceptional dog. She's completely housebroken, never ever chews on anthing when left alone or gets into things (oops. lied about that one lol.. if we leave the bathroom door open she will get into the kleenex's in the garbage can ). The problem? She's extremely over protective. If she's home alone she never makes a noise (info curtesy of my neighbours). If I'm the first one home I can make all the noise I want outside the door and she doesn't make so much as a peep.... however once one of us is home any little bitty noise from the hallway, the street, another apartment will cause her to run to the door or window growling and barking.

How should we handle this? I'm worried that if she does it too often the neighbours might complain... I can't bare the thought of losing her.

thanks for any help on this one!!

Valerie

edited to include pics... isn't she a doll??

No boozybears I am sorry but that dog will always do that I have had a lot of experience with that breed. I am surprized that it doesnt do it while you are gone to. But as it gets older it will chill out some Anyways I think it is so pretty POTM for sure......I hope you get a second one and good luck

I second

awww.. thanks guys!

Ok.. guess there's worse habits she could have them trying to protect me right?

Val

The trick is to get her to do something else, distract her, so that the barking and growling only last a second. When she does her barking act, say "thank you" or "enough" whatever you want, call her and ask for a sit, down, roll over and reward her. Make her work for a few minutes.
Make sure you are rewarding the behaviour you are asking for , and not the barking and growling.

You have to ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good. Get like a clicker and click at her to distract her when she barks, then say her name and try to get her to come over. Give her treats when she does. Is she a rescue dog?

thanks for your ideas guys.. i will definetely try them!!

No, she's not a rescue dog. Although extremely smart her previous owners have done absolutely NOTHING with her. She's never recieved any training.. she never even knew how to play! Can you believe that? When we picked her up last month we asked about her favourite toys and were told she doesn't have any toys! So our first order of business is to get her to play and to be able to walk the 2 km trail around our lake without needing a break! (they never took her for walks either! )

If she cooperates and learns quickly though I'd love to get her involved in the local hospitals and old age homes as a therapy dog!

Val

boozybears said:

No, she's not a rescue dog. Although extremely smart her previous owners have done absolutely NOTHING with her. She's never recieved any training.. she never even knew how to play! Can you believe that? When we picked her up last month we asked about her favourite toys and were told she doesn't have any toys! So our first order of business is to get her to play and to be able to walk the 2 km trail around our lake without needing a break! (they never took her for walks either! )

Click to expand...

Sounds like you rescued her just the same
good luck with her, she just needs some time to learn acceptable behavior.

the key is to completely ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good...when she is barking and snarling, ignore her and reward her when she is being good. even just a pat is a reward...pat her when she is sitting quietly by you. But you should not pat her or fuss her when she comes to you...it has to be on your terms. She will see any attention when she is being naughty as attention which she wants. deny her the attention and it should stop the unwanted behaviour.,

Beautiful dog how could you not play with her?