Barking/jumping on the window sill
Dear Darcie, My big dogs constantly jump on the window sill to bark at the outside world (especially when I’m at work). Even a product designed to deter them from “jumping on” something may work. Thanks.
You’ll like my article on how to stop unnecessary barking. It’s great training when you are at home. When you are away, you’ll need to manage the dogs better so they can’t reward themselves by barking in the window.
Now we do have the ScatMat (search at SitStay.com to see it) and in your case, you might like to try it. But don’t do that until you’ve tried some other things first. I like the natural method of training, then if I have to go to something else like a ScatMat tool to keep my dogs safe, I will.
If your dogs are crate trained or will stay in a smaller room, like a bedroom or bathroom, while you’re gone, that’s the best way to leave your dogs while you’re out. Keep a radio or a TV on to blur out the sound of the outside of the house. Make sure your dogs have toys they can’t destroy and chews to keep them busy when they’re not sleeping (these are also available in great choices at SitStay.com).
What you’re trying to accomplish is to give your dogs peace when you’re away. And taking away the window so they won’t be rewarded by barking at things that move outside will help their level of stress come down so they can rest. Most dogs sleep a lot during the day, that is your goal for yours.
Exercise them with a nice long walk, at least 30 minutes, an hour is better, before you leave them, make sure that they have pottied so that’s not a problem while they are alone.
You might consider putting the dogs in different areas of the house unless they will stay calm together. Sometimes one is the culprit that starts the barking. Watch to see who starts it. It’s not always the dog who starts barking, it can be the dog who alerts first. Watch them a few times before you start working with them, you’ll see what I mean.
No yelling. That just sounds like you’re barking, too, and it will up the alert.
Let me know how it goes.
