Bad behavior with visitors

by Art
(Pompano Beach, FL)

Luc is almost one year old. I did have him in puppy school for a while and he knows the basic commands. My problem is that when someone comes to the door, or even when I go to the door to get the mail, he barks quite a bit. If I am letting someone in, I usually pick him up.

Today I had a visit from an advisor who came to the house to speak to me. I picked Luc up as usual, but when I put him down, he didn't quiet down at all. He kept barking and was jumping up on my visitor. At one pint when we were sitting down, Luc jumped up and almost caught the guy's shirt sleeve in his mouth. Eventually, we put him in the yard and he quieted down. When I let him back in, he wasn't any better.

Needless to say, I was embarrassed. I don't want to subject my visitors to this kind of behavior but I am not sure how to train him not to do this. Any suggestions? I live alone with Luc and we don't get many visitors. He is fine with people when I walk him, almost a little shy! Otherwise, he is a sweet little Coton buddy.

Thanks

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Feb 06, 2016
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Barking NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

I just remembered I forgot 1 of the most important parts when teaching them not to b overactive when people visit. B4 u start training please make sure that they have been exercised. Spend 20 mins playing fetch or take a 1/2 hr walk. By them not being so full of piss & vinegar this will help them focus better on training.

Also their r some good free videos to help or u can find Zak on Facebook

www.YouTube.com/ZakGeorge

Feb 06, 2016
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Barking NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

As Gale said theirs lots of good info on the site. I'm pretty sure included in this info is also teaching ur puppy to place on a particular spot in the room where ur door is located. It can just be a rug against the wall.

Once u teach the place command then teach them to stay their until u release them u r ready for visitor practice. Get a friend that can come & help u to knock & enter ur house. Once the dog hears the knock use a leash, command the dog to place on rug which the leash will help u guide them to rug. Leave to answers and door if dog breaks, go back & guide the dog back to rug & give place command b4 ur friend is allowed to enter. Ur friend can not come in the house until dog remains. Even when ur friend enters & sits down the dog cannot leave rug until u issue release command.

This can take 5-10-20 mins. This will require practice 1 wk, 2 wks is not unusual. But once it's done it will last a life time & also will help ur pup along w/impulse control, nervousness when u invite ppl to ur house & also ur peace of mind.

Then the last step is sharing a bottle of wine w/ur friend, or treating them to a sandwich or whatever u prefer to thank ur friend for their patience & time.

Good luck. Just remember if u r stressed doing it ur dog will be to. Just know it won't be perfect at first. Don't get nervous. Let your friend know they may not get step into ur house quickly at first.

Feb 06, 2016
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Barking NEW
by: sherry cotton candie

I do not know if this might help you but I have one like yours that wants to bark when someone is at the door. I have found it is the door bell that sets her off, not the person.

When expecting guests I will either put her out back until they arrive or watch for them and let them in before they ring the bell,
sometimes I just unlock the door and tell them ahead to come on in. She is fine with them then.

Had service people here last week and with one she was fine, but in the past have had to keep her on a leash. Some of them she just does not like.

They are protective but once people are in usually she is fine. On occasion when they start to leave she will bark--who knows why.

Good luck,

Feb 05, 2016
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The dreaded barking NEW
by: Gale

Hi - I keep forgetting that there's another Luc here in South Florida :)

You can find a lot of good advice about barking from our visitors throughout the site. Just type "barking" in the search this site box.

Here are a couple pages you may find helpful (just copy them into your browser):

https://www.coton-de-tulear-care.com/excessive-barking-at-door-knock-or-doorbell.html

https://www.coton-de-tulear-care.com/how-to-stop-dog-from-barking.html

https://www.coton-de-tulear-care.com/dog-behavior-problems.html#Barking

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