barking at folks while walking

[flyer]

Colt and I have been doing the trails for weeks now, but this past week he has started to bark at people when he sees them coming. He is almost 14 weeks old.

 

If the trail is busy he doesn't do this. If we are downtown he doesn't do this. It is when the trails are quiet and we only run into someone every five minutes or so. This week has been rainy and cold so the trails have been quiet.

 

He is off leash and comes with enthusiasm when called. I can also have him stop and stand on askance. I have ignored the behaviour thinking it would go away. Once the people are close he greets them with a tail wag, but he is barking too. Nothing frantic but he is loud and it is directed. Of course most say how cute, but in another couple of months it will not be.

 

At home he only barks until I head to the door so I can't exactly train a quiet at home so I'm thinking I have to do this on the trails. Suggestions on how I might go about this? Today I stopped with him when he barked, thanked him and then told him to sit and talked to him as the people approached. This worked, but I would rather he didn't bark at all in this situation. Is this possible?

 

Thx,

Flyer

[Sue_Deutscher]

If he likes to follow you, you could try running in the other direction, away from the stranger, when he barks. Then as soon as his attention is on you, following you, stop and walk back the other way.

 

Maybe he is just excited to see someone and he will learn if he barks, he will have to run the other way from the person.

 

Sue

[flyer]

Will give it a try.

 

Thx.