Tie-Outs and Barking Dogs

A lot of you may not like what I have to say today, and that’s OK. In fact, I’m going to be very blunt. I’m done trying to be nice on this issue.

If your dog is outside barking at people that walk past your house, don’t complain to me about it. I will simply ask you why you let it happen. I can’t fix it. It’s NOT a TRAINING problem. It’s a people problem. Specifically, YOUR problem.

Here’s how you fix it:

No tie-outs.

No outside kennels.

No bark collars. No e-collars.

No choke chains. No prong collars.

No corrections of any kind.

Your dog will never, I mean NEVER, be outdoors without you, on a 6-foot leash (not a flexi.)

You will get dressed early on a Saturday morning and take him out to potty.

You will give him extra time to poop, too.

You will walk him around the block multiple times per day.

You will not use the tie out just while you are grilling, or eating, or chatting with friends.

You will not leave him out while you run inside for just a minute.

Period. End of story.

Your dog is barking for a reason. And it’s not because he likes getting zapped or sprayed or choked. 

“He’s being territorial.” “He’s protecting me.”

Bull. He’s not paying the mortgage. You are. Until he does, it’s your yard. And since you’re out with him, you can walk him to the other side until the neighbor dog passes.

“He’s just saying hi.” “He wants to play.” “He’s not vicious, he’s energetic.”

Woof & sniff is saying hi. BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK (growl) BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK is not “Good afternoon. How are you? Did you hear the gossip about Fifi?” And since you’re out with him, when a dog friend comes by, you can let them greet each other politely.

“He’s always been like that.” “He was abused as a puppy.” “His breed always barks.”

And if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.  Remember, you’re out there with him now.

“Oh, he’s usually fine.” “He only barks at _______.”

But sometimes he does bark, and sometimes _______ comes past. And it’s something you want to change. So you’re outside with him now.

“They feed off each other’s barking.”

So take them out one at a time. You are taking them out on leash and staying with them, right?

“He won’t pay attention to me.” “I can’t get him to stop.”

Why should he pay attention to you when you haven’t paid attention to him? But now, you do pay attention to him, because you’re out there with him. Building a relationship.

“He likes spending time outside.” “Dogs should be outside.”

Really? Then why is he barking? Let’s talk about your relationship. Which is improving because you’re outside with him. Right?

“I want him to bark, once. Then stop.” “He lets me know when someone comes.”

And since you are now outside with him, on leash, you can take care of the situation, visitor, or distraction. And if not, then you subconsciously want to own a reactive dog, and that’s a whole different ball game.

If you want to train your dog to pay attention to you, come when called, or follow your cues, by all means it’s a training issue.  Does he bark while you’re out on a walk? Want to figure out what your dog is telling you with his barking? Need help helping him overcome his fears? Would you like your dog to play with you? Wish your relationship were better? All these things can be addressed in training or behavior modification.  And in all these aspects, YOU are integral as your dog’s guardian, companion, owner, parent.