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Canine Behavior/Barking dog

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Expert: - 10/30/2008


Question
I have a cockapoo and lately when we go to bed he will go up under my bed and bark. I try to get him on the bed but he doesn't come till later. Also at times he will go up under a bed off the living room and bark again. Both times appear to be for no reason although I am inclined to believe that something is causing him to bark.Do you know why?

Answer
Now, this is odd!! Can you think of anything that might have originally triggered this behavior (such as a thunderstorm, loud sudden unexplained noise in the room, etc.?) Have you added anything new to your room immediately before this behavior began (like a chair, etc.)?  This sounds like a superstitious behavior that the dog has acquired after responding to something that frightened him and made him go under the bed; he appears to be anticipating something.  Your best response is to totally IGNORE IT.  I think you are contributing (totally without meaning to, of course and out of kindness) by attempting to urge him onto the bed; that is a reward to the dog.  His behavior, whatever started it, is getting your attention.  Like children, dogs often produce behaviors because they are rewarded by attention (even negative attention!)  Instead of attempting to cajole him or comfort him, LEAVE THE ROOM and close the door behind you; count to ten; open the door and go back into the room.  If the dog persists in barking (he can stay under the bed so long as he doesn't bark...he'll soon give up on staying under the bed) leave the room again and close the door.  Set the dog up for this treatment by "going to bed" a bit earlier a few nights in a row just so you can attempt this counter conditioning.  If he goes into the other room as you described, close the door to the room and leave him in there; count to ten; open the door; repeat until he is out from under the bed.  If your response is a non-reward (and in fact, punishing, since he will not want to be left alone behind a closed door), it's more likely to extinguish quickly.  Let's try this "quick fix" method for a few days and see how it works.  Please repost with results.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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