One question: do you think the blast of water would cause dogs not to like water???? My little Papillons LOVE to take a bath and love the water. I would hate to mess that up.
Sometimes when we are gone from the house for a few hours, my neighborws told me that my dogs would bark--sometimes quite a while. So I tried turning on the music (sort of loud) and closing the blinds. Our neighbors helped up by walking around the house and seeing if they could hear any barking. It worked like a charm. NO barking at all. Thanks for that great tip. Judith
Keeping the dogs from barking at a campground is an easy fix, if you are open minded enough to see this. Dogs that bark are bored, under disciplined, or both. In order to fix this, you must first get used to the idea that your dog’s behavior is a direct result of what you’ve taught it as acceptable. If you think it is unacceptable for your dog to bark, and your dog barks anyway, its not the dog’s fault…its yours…either your way of communicating is ineffective, or your dog doesn’t respect you as a leader. By accepting your responsibility, you are making the first steps towards correcting it.
Also, let go of any excuses you may have. Just because your dog is a certain breed, or came from certain circumstances, it doesn’t predispose your dog to bad behavior. There is no “barking gene” that some dogs have and others don’t. It doesn’t matter if the dog is big or small, young or old, pure bred or a mutt…all dogs have the same primal needs. If you think disciplining your dog is ‘mean’, consider the other options mentioned here (shock collars, water guns, etc), and tell me why you think it’s ‘mean’. One more thing…discipline is not punishment. Know the difference!
Two things every dog needs as top priorities in their lives are EXERCISE and DISCIPLINE. That is more important that affection. I am not saying that affection isn’t important, its just not the most important thing. Too much affection, and not enough exercise and discipline equates to a dog that barks, acts nervous, is aggressive, or in general exhibits ‘unwanted’ behavior.
The best news is, you can accomplish both with the same activity…THE WALK. Walking a dog does not mean putting it on a flexi-leash and letting it pull every inch of leash out. It doesn’t mean letting the dog stop and sniff at every bush and trash can on the path. It doesn’t mean letting the dog walk on the left, then the right, then the left….A walk consists of a dog walking beside or behind you, where you control the pace, you control the ‘breaks’ (to smell, eliminate, etc), and you control the duration. It takes practice, but in the end, the dog will learn discipline and recognize you as a leader. So, back at camp, when you snap your fingers to get your dog’s attention, they will give you their full attention. Additionally, you dog will have burnt enough energy that it will want to rest when it’s at camp…not bark.
I get up, eat a small breakfast to tie me over until everyone else is up, and the dogs and I go on a journey. I lead the way, they follow with diligence. They come back relieved of bodily functions, they get their bellies full of food, and then they rest. By then the rest of the crew is up and ready to eat, and once we finish breakfast and get ready to start the day, the dogs are ready to go inside and sleep while we are out. We keep the same routine at home as well.
PS I am not Cesar Milan, but I have tried his techniques (one of which is detailed above) and I can tell you IT WORKS!!
My new 1yr old Border collie gets super excited and snap at cars and chews the interior. I've tried spraying her with cintronells and it works if Im alert. I tied her to near the inside back of the cherokee but she still goes nuts..She just loves to chase things that move..plus I'm planning a 4500 mile trip with her in an RV soon..Guess I'll tie her down and/or get a muzzle..Hate to do it but!!
* This post was
edited 07/24/08 05:13pm by Sabluka *
Sablukaave you tried putting the border collie in a crate when you are not around to watch him or her. Also for travelling? It appears that you have a very strong herding instinctive animal. Not good for someone in an RV all day or even in a campground. They need activity. Lots of it. Also dog food that has lesser protein might help. Mostly border collies need activity. Ball chasing, running, etc. Not just walking. It isn't enough for them. And do crate them when you are not around. You don't want them to get hurt by chewing things they shouldn't when you aren't watching.
Class C Coachman Santara
5 Dogs:3 Australian Shepherds, 1 Sheltie, 1 Border Collie
2 Cats:Just cats
Chrysler Town & Country Toad
Funny you mentioned chewing. She's on the floor chewing up a box as I type. Yeah I try and get her and the Aussie running each day. I play with them a lot during the day plus they play fight a lot to. I'm ard all the time so I know what they are doing at all times.
I can't crate an animal. Just isn't my way. I had 7 at once, rescues or strays, and never had to do that. Never had a BC before tho. Did have a real active Aussie. I'm ard all the time so I know what they are doing at all times.
I used to mush for fun and my philosophy is minimalism as far as training goes. Ever seen those overly trained animals and their sitting there virtually shaking in fear they might do something wrong. I hate that.
Well a few days trip aught to give me some idea how it may evolve. I envision just keeping her leashed up some. Main prob with her now is she runs off. I have to train her to come when called for sure.
These comments have set me to thinking and they all are surely appreciated.
razorbass wrote: If you think it is unacceptable for your dog to bark, and your dog barks anyway, its not the dog’s fault…its yours…either your way of communicating is ineffective, or your dog doesn’t respect you as a leader.
razor. That is exactly right on.
I remember what George Attla said: "Dogs don't make mistakes, humans make mistakes"
Absolutely the gospel
Here's some about him. He's an Athabaskan Indian.
George Attla
George Attla, legendary open-class sprint musher, has won more Fur Rondy World Championships (10 wins) and more Open North American Championships (8) than any other musher, and and he has won 9 ISDRA Unlimited Class medals as well. George won his first Fur Rondy World Championship in 1958 and his first Open North American in 1969. His book, Everything I Know about Training and Racing Sled Dogs, though now out of print, was considered the musher's "Bible," and his life story became the subject of a film, Spirit of the Wind (later re-titled Attla!), and a book by Lew Freedman, Spirit of the Wind: The Story of George Attla, Alaska's Legendary Sled Dog Sprint Champ.
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ave you tried putting the border collie in a crate when you are not around to watch him or her. Also for travelling? It appears that you have a very strong herding instinctive animal. Not good for someone in an RV all day or even in a campground. They need activity. Lots of it. Also dog food that has lesser protein might help. Mostly border collies need activity. Ball chasing, running, etc. Not just walking. It isn't enough for them. And do crate them when you are not around. You don't want them to get hurt by chewing things they shouldn't when you aren't watching.
