I have a 6 year old collie/cross had him from birth and since his mum died last year he barks at anything when he`s out or in.

If a leaf blows in the wind he barks, he`s nuts anyone know what can help me.

I'd have to see him in action to get a better idea but from what you say I'm just wondering if he is a nervous type and is missing the company of his mum. If it was at things rather more substantial than a leaf I'd of thought he might just be protective towards you, this is an easy one to figure out, just let some-one else take him out and then see what he does.
He hasn't by any chance figured out that when he barks he get's attention off you even if it is only you telling him to 'shut up and stop being silly'.

Hi WALLBUILDER

Yes he does know I will tell him to shut up because our next door neighbours hate animals and don`t want him around so I have to tell him off.
I think he is lonely, he drags you when you walk him he won`t learn to walk he wants to do everything as though it was yesterday. He has never walked properly.
He has a lovely nature but he is nuts.

I definately need help with him, he`s so cute he is called CJ

if he's always pulled when you walk him then at 6 years old it's a bit late to try to change that.

To try to stop him barking, keep some treats with you, and if he's not barked for a while give him one occaisionally, if he barks don't give him one for a while. He'll soon figure out the association.

cyclone.

I have done that with the treats over a couple of months did not work.

He has always pulled he seems to think he has to run and drag you and when you tell him to walk he does for a few steps and then off he goes again.

Not sure what happened when he was born, he was the only one that survived from a litter of 6

Collie's are highly intelligent dogs and do need a great deal of mental and physical exercise, when he's in the house you could try a distraction method, for max my dog that is a bone,, if some-one knocks at the door he barks but if he has half a cow leg then his attention is 100% on that trying to 'kill' it.
One other thing I've tried with a german shepherd I walk who likes barking at other dogs for the fun of it is that I make him sit down and rreally enforce that so he's not jumping around, I then get in between him and the dog and make it very clear that barking is not permitted by my tone of voice. It is beginning to work but as his owner let's him get away with blue murder it's an uphill battle.

WALLBUILDER

I will try the bone, he has little chews and barks with them in his mouth. So I will go for the bigger bone.
I have one worry though, the last time he had a bone he forgot which was his bone and his leg and was eating his leg.
Thats what I mean about him not all being there.

Rosie,

Have you asked advice at your vets ?

Your vets should be able to refer him to a dog behaviourist who will help you with these issues.

Good Luck

++++++++++++++++++++

Hi rosie.
I am no expert but it sounds as though CJ is very nervous.
First off, i do not subscribe to what Cyclone says about CJ not being able to change his way's when it comes to pulling. When i met my partner she had a Collie that had never had a days training in it's life, yet within a few days i had him eating out of my hand. You see what you have in CJ in one of, if not THE most intelligent dog in the world.
It sounds as though it is a bit late in the day to try the silent treatment when CJ barks.
Have you ever tried scolding CJ when he barks?. You could try randomly scolding him, i suggest sending him away to his basket (dogs hate not feeling wanted) and then when you know he is going to bark at something, glare at him. If he does not bark, treat him like crazy.
Alternatively you need to take CJ's attention away from whatever is making him bark. This would come in the way of treats etc.. but NOT after he has started to bark!.

Try thinking like CJ.
Does he tend to bark at something (like a leaf falling) until it hits the ground and then stops?.
If he does, then he is simply doing his job!. He is guarding you against a perceived threat and when that leaf has stopped moving, he has done his job.

Parcel tape - wrap it round his muzzle a few times and Hey Presto!!!

Seriously though there is a product that attaches to their collar and when they bark it emits a spray, the smell of which dogs dont like - again its all about association so you may not have much luck just like the titbits experiment!

My dog barks at the door and strange noises outside which I find reassuring. Strangely though he never barked once when we had burglars breaking in through the kitchen window. I had to do all the shouting myself!!! Theres a saying in there somewhere.....

Thanks for all the help.
Vidster- he barks when the leaf or whatever is on front of him, he barks at the postman at the front door when he is in the back and can`t see him. He hates next door window cleaner.
He barks at the dark.

coopster1974 We bought a thing that went round his neck and when he barked it had a loud pitched sound to stop him, in 4 hours he figured out if he barked louder and more often the batteries did not last long.

franc1987 I will try yelling at him but I have a fear it won`t do any good.

He wants to be with me all the time, even when I am on the toilet he barks to tell me to hurry up to see him again.

I have ahad 4 children and he is by far the worst for wanting to be near someone.

Originally posted by rosie
Thanks for all the help.
franc1987 I will try yelling at him but I have a fear it won`t do any good.

He wants to be with me all the time, even when I am on the toilet he barks to tell me to hurry up to see him again.

Rosie,

I would not shout at an already upset dog, the same behavioural symptoms in a cat would be signs of a crippling insecurity problem which could get worse if not helped.

I really hope you try a dog behaviourist first, some might offer free advice over the phone or if you are charged you should be able to get your money back on your pet insurance.

But I would do something sooner rather than later especially with four children in the house.

PIF_Tails

My four children are 22 and married with my grandson, 19 and married and a 15 and 10 year old.

They are not little and CJ has grown up with them all, in fact the three youngest helped to bring him into the world.

I will try out what you say, thank you.

We have a young dog that we are currently training and she too likes to pull in order to get where she wants to go faster.

I've just about sorted it out by changing her 'reward' system - and changing the 'reward' to something she doesn't want if she does something I don't want ;) In other words, her 'reward' is to get something she doesn't want.

By pulling, she gets what she wants, so when she pulls we stop and turn and walk in the opposite direction. It only takes a few steps before she looks up to say "Are you totally mad? We are supposed to be going the other way"

Of course she has quickly worked out that to get to go somewhere faster (and sometimes get a biscuit or a pat), she has to walk nicely and not pull!

The barking might be a bit more difficult and Will need more patience. Remember though, that paying the dog any attention at all will just reinforce to the dog that barking gets the attention its looking for, ie... bark = biscuit, bark = complements, bark = pat on the head

You should be able to find a way so that... bark = being ignored even more, bark = going out in the cold, bark = you turning around and walking away, etc. A collie isn't daft and should work it out quicker than most.

Try a bit of reverse psychology- even if the dog thinks you are daft :? :thumbsup:

rosie.........a customer of mine had the same problem....she got a gadget from her vet..it goes on the dogs collar....every time the dog barks iy gives off a very high pitched sound..it can only be heard by dogs.....i'm not sure if it causes the dog any pain but it certanly doesn't like it..it soon leans it only happen when he/she barks. btw i think it was expensive

hi Kirky

I have tried that did not work he figured out if he barked more the batteries did not last long. All summer we had the high pitched noise.

Originally posted by rosie
All summer we had the high pitched noise.

i didn't think humans could hear it:confused:

Perhaps we have dog ears, because we could hear it.

Well said Tony! It takes a little time, and a lot of patience on your part, but it's worth it.

If you're looking for a quick fix for walking nicely then try a Halti head collar. If the dog pulls, his/her head is turned and they wind up turning! They will find a new type of collar as uncomfortable as the time you first put a tradittional collar on, but they get used to it.

I still prefer the proper training and effort method though. Try taking your dog to a training class with other dogs (your vet will have details). Our class often has nervous dogs attending, and just watching other dogs' behaviour usually sets them a good example!

I suspect your dog feels responsible for looking after the pack now, and jumping to attention when CJ barks just lets him know he's in charge. I agree with Vidster. If he barks, deny him your company. But don't speak - just lead him into another room and shut the door. Open it when he stops barking.

If this is too stressful for him, try walking away or turning your back. If he paws at you, look away. Reward 'quiet' with a fuss. Don't shout at him, coz he'll probably think you're joining in and following his lead!

This may be bobbins. Everybody's dog is different and responds to different methods.
Hope you find your cure. ;)