Question: I just got a 6-month-old Doberman. He barks at everyone that passes by outside and when I walk him. How can I stop this behavior? – Sohail
Answer: Your puppy is probably scared. If he was not well socialized by the age of 4 months, it is likely that he is fearfully aggressive. You can find lots of information on socialization the Resources page of my website (www.flvetbehavior.com). At this point, you will most likely need professional help with your pup because he will be a big guy in no time at all.
Start by getting him in a positive reinforcement obedience class, so he has working relationship with you, some skills and a little exposure. Make sure to avoid situations where he will bark, even if that means taking shorter walks at quiet times of day until he has some skills. Letting him bark with no coping tools and no control will only make the behavior worsen.
Make sure to use a head collar or no pull harness to control his movements as well. Once he has some basic skills and you have him under good control, it is reasonable to slowly expose him to those stimuli again using positive reinforcement. After basic obedience, if you are still having trouble, your dog might be appropriate for a Reactive Dog Class. I teach such a class at Lucky Dog Sports Club. You can find more information at www.flvetbehavior.com.
Dr. Radosta
Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
Read more articles by Dr. Radosta | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/08/02/why-does-doberman-bark-at-everyone/
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