Quick Fixes for Common Problems: Barking At the Window
This is the third installment in a series on quick fixes for the most common behavior problems I encounter as a professional dog trainer.
Barking at things seen out the windows at home is one of those slightly subjective problems. Some people are fine with it; others work from home or have sleeping infants and cannot have the self-appointed alarm system going off every 30 minutes.
Barking in the car is a little less subjective. I don’t know many people who enjoy being stuck in a small metal box with that kind of noise.
Prevention: The Ultimate Quick Fix
Getting relief from dog behavior problems doesn’t have to be complicated or include lengthy training programs.
Often, the fastest and easiest solutions come by simply adjusting the environment or human behavior to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.
Is that a cop out? Are you a wimp for solving your dog’s dumpster-diving habit by using a locking-lid trash can? Is prevention an inferior solution?
Nope! Not in the least.
For most people, the goal is solving the problem—not spending time training the dog. If prevention does the job and doesn’t create other problems, why not use it?!
(And if moving beyond prevention is part of your goal, that’s fine too. Prevention is always the first step of the training plan anyway.)
Relief At Home
Temporary window film is a fantastic quick fix for window barking at home! It obscures your dog’s view of the street, but still lets the light in.
It may not be enough obscurity for some dogs so test first with a layer or two of wax paper.
Of course, closing blinds/curtains or shutting the door to that room are also quick relief options.
Relief In the Car
Mia rides in a covered crate to prevent barking at things she sees outside
Quick relief for barking at things outside the car is a little trickier, but you still have options.
If your dog is small enough and your car large enough: crate him for rides. You can cover the crate with a light sheet if necessary to further block their vision.
If your dog is large or a crate won’t fit in your car, try a frozen, food stuffed toy like a Kong or Toppl to distract him. Use a hammock to keep the toy from dropping onto the floor boards.