[Drgnrdr]

Okay, problem...a question on a pitbull in class that barks all the time...I have done everything I can think of up to this point and the guy is getting mad at his dog, I tried to explain atten get, wants to play with others..etc.., he's about 3 1/2 months old. So I have tried everything I can except ignore, it's hard to ignore him when there are 9 other pups and 12 other ppl in the room and they are all trying to hear me. Pos. Reinforcement only suggestions please. He will listen to me and stop when I walk over to him and tell him to be "quiet", but I can't keep doing that every 5 minutes. Let's see if I can remember everything I have done: I redirected him, by turning away from what he was barking at, giving a toy to redirect his attention, making a loud noise, hitting him with water in the face, blocking his view from others, I had them give him lots of attention after we taught down, he was to do puppy push ups, (sit, down, sit, down, watch me, treat them, do it again), and even get barking on cue so he does it when they tell him, trying to get the parents to be consistent is difficult, (also telling them to exercise him to wear him out a bit before class also) but I am trying to explain they should do these things all the time and their timing and persistence is not as good as his....so any suggestions?

[Madeleinemom]

Not an expert here, but here are my two cents:

I would require the parents to exercise him prior to class, to tire him out a bit; he seems to get totally overstimulated in class (not fair to him and your other clients).

Although the socialization aspect of a group class is valuable, I would think that private lessons might be better for parents and pup at this point - perhaps adding a calm, adult dog to the mix (proviing that the pup is not DA)?

[Drgnrdr]

Thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate all advice.

[PitRottMommy]

We have absolutely silent dogs that do NOT bark unless very stimulated (intruders).

We achieved this by stimulating them when they were puppies. When they barked, we gently held their jaws closed and said "quiet". No dog likes restraint. Eventually a dog will equate their vocalization with restraint and, if he wants freedom, will be quiet.

The advice on extra exercise before class is an EXCELLENT idea. I have a friend of mine that had a GSD that was an absolute idiot during class. She was ready to turn this dog back over to the breeder because she just wasn't trainable. It took a blowout of diarrhea during class for Kim to realize that her GSD had anxiety and would get diarrhea because of it. Kim started giving Endosorb to combat the diarrhea...and the dog excelled.

Just gotta figure out what is going on in this puppy's head. Sometimes it isn't a training issue. In Kim's case, her GSD was trying to tell her that she needed to go to the bathroom.


Sami

[Miakoda]

I agree that the dog is not being properly exercised. Of course this is a young puppy & I'm against strenuous exercise of any kind, but a 30 minute session of fetch or several short walks throughout the day with one immediately before class should help drastically. Chances are that this obedience class is the most "exercise" the puppy is getting and it's not meant to be physical exercise. And I also bet that the class is the only time that the puppy is around other puppies and dogs.

IMO by going over to the dog & speaking to it regardless of what you are saying is only reinforcing the behavior. Putting your hands around the dog's mouth is only reinforcing the behavior. For example, the dog wants attention & now he's got it.....he doesn't care what kind of attention he is receiving only that he gets it.

I suggest that the owner start exercising the dog is the above-mentioned ways. I also suggest that the owner set up a play date with other pups (current on vaccinations) so his own pup will get in some extra socialization. And during class, ignore the dog.

[Drgnrdr]

trying to get the parents to be consistent is difficult, (also telling them to exercise him to wear him out a bit before class also)

I told the parents to exercise him, they are not listening, no follow thru.
I solved it myself. I got him to stop barking. Gentle leader and temporarily Leave the area when he barked at a dog, quiet 3 seconds, return to area.
But I do want to say THANK YOU everyone for the info and your attempt to help me solve this, Keep up the good work.