Question:
We have a neutered, 7-year-old, male American Eskimo dog. We've had him since he was an 8-week-old pup. Behaviorally, he is a challenging dog. He barks excessively for food when we have guests or at any sound outside. He also guards excessively -- his food bowl, toys, sleeping space -- and he growls aggressively if anyone walks past him. He has never bitten anyone, though.
He can be affectionate and greets our family warmly when we come home. But we are looking for guidance in curbing the barking and growling. We've tried obedience training more than once, to no real effect.
R.G., Minneapolis, MN Jun 20, 2010
Answer:
Your dog is barking and growling in order to get attention and to assert/insert his presence. This behavior-modification method may work: Try reward training -- when he barks or growls, say "Quiet," praise him, and put him in the sit-stay position; then reward intermittently with a treat. If he cannot contain himself, say "Go away" and point to the room to which you will send him for a 10- to 15-minute timeout. I call this "shunning," and most pack-oriented dogs hate it and soon shape up.
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