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We recently (this weekend) adopted a 14 month female yellow lab. She was adopted out of a shelter in the summer (pregnant). We intend on spaying her in a few months. My question is how to get her TO bark. We'd like her to let us know when someone comes in the driveway or up to the house.

The owner before us complained about her barking and the neighbors complaining about it, so he must have yelled or hit her to stop her from barking. She will whine but seems to be afraid to bark. Any suggestions on how to intice her to bark and that it's ok to do so? She's pretty smart, good in obedience and very friendy but is "afraid" when told no. Maybe its just a matter of her getting used to having people that care about her and to show her lots of attention.

BTW she was kept outside in a pen and now (on leash) she has the freedom of living in the country with lots of room to run. Thanks.

GoldenEagle (you can email me too - goldenswolf@yahoo.com)

>>We recently (this weekend) adopted a 14 month female yellow lab. She was adopted out of a shelter in the summer (pregnant). We intend on spaying her in a few months. My question is how to get her TO bark. We'd like her to let us know when someone comes in the driveway or up to the house.
>>
>>The owner before us complained about her barking and the neighbors complaining about it, so he must have yelled or hit her to stop her from barking. She will whine but seems to be afraid to bark. Any suggestions on how to intice her to bark and that it's ok to do so? She's pretty smart, good in obedience and very friendy but is "afraid" when told no. Maybe its just a matter of her getting used to having people that care about her and to show her lots of attention.
>>
>>BTW she was kept outside in a pen and now (on leash) she has the freedom of living in the country with lots of room to run. Thanks.
>>
>>GoldenEagle (you can email me too - goldenswolf@yahoo.com)

My advice is to not encourage barking. It will emerge in time on its own. Don't especially praise or reward it when it does. If it's appropriate barking, just be glad, but don't risk creating a barking fool by encouraging it. Her past is a strong indication the barking will come back as she settles in. If you encourage it, you could get some ill effects ranging from a dog who barks so much that her barking means nothing--therefore ineffective as a warning--to even aggressive behavior. Give her some time. She probably just isn't settled in yet.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com