Dog wont stop barking at DD

[tiggger1]

I am looking for some ideas on how to stop a dog from barking.. My mil has a sheltie mix and she is a sweetheart. The only problem is that recently while my 3 year old daughter was playing hide and seek with grandma, the dog started barking at her.. It isnt in a mean way, its more of an excited bark. MIL thought it was upsetting the dog, so we dont hide in the house anymore. well we recently found out from the past owner that if someone is "hiding" the dog finds them and barks..OK but once she starts, she doesnt stop...until you remove her from the room and let her calm down for at least a half hour.. So every Sunday, my mil ends up hiding out in her bedroom with the dog for the night once the dog starts barking.. Yesterday Emma didnt even do anything but walk into her toy room and the dog chased her and started barking..I know its because she wants Emma to play but even when she does, the dog doesnt stop. I love the dog but the barking is getting on my nerves! What can we do to stop her from barking like that..

 

[Lorix2]

The chasing and barking at you're DD would concern me. The dog is being protective or aggressive, if the dog is easily excitable, it's very possible that this dog could turn on her if left alone, I'd be very careful around the dog not to put it in a position to defend (or attack). The dog is probably highly protective of you're mom?

My mother has a Pom that DOES NOT let up barking when my mother moves suddenly or gets up and walks, she's right behind her barking and running - drives me out of my mind with that high pitch bark and there's just nothing we can do

 

[tiggger1]

She isnt left alone with her but I am honestly not too worried.. its not a mean bark, its more of a " play with me, or ill drive you crazy" thing... she does the same thing when we walk in the house but the second you sit so she can kiss you she is fine... the problem is that emma will play with her and then get bored and want to play something else and the dog still wants to play.. and doesnt stop barking until Emma plays with her again. the thing is emma can tune out the barking and continue to play but the rest of us cant!

 

[RSoxFan]

A sheltie is a herding dog. It is that dog's instinct to try to "herd" anything, including children, into one place. When the dog sees your daughter running around, it activites its instincts to herd. The dog isn't trying to "go after" or hurt your daughter.

 

[Goofyluver]

Squirt her with a squirt bottle

 

[RNMOM]

I agree about the herding but I would still be concerned as dogs can "nip" at the item they are herding. I would try to work with the dog and your daughter/and grandma. Dogs are pack animals and the dog probably feels she is in a higher level than your daughter due to size, etc. Your daughter needs to be more authoritarian and be taught to make the dog submissive to her. Since she is so young, that might not be possible so I would take care when the two are together. Honestly, you don't want an accident to happen if the dog just follows instincts. Perhaps speaking with the vet or a trainer might be helpful.

Don't let the dog and your daughter play tug of war, chase or teasing games as this might trigger aggression.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Grandma needs to be firm and tell the dog NO and mean it. If dog does not obey grandma it means that grandma is submissive to the dog.

Barking is barking...doesn't matter the reason. However, as RNMOM is saying continued barking can esculate into a "nip" for a herding dog.

Here is your tip....
TRAINING....have adults go over and hide and then when dog starts grandma says NO! Do not even let the dog utter a peep. Do a down-stay. Force the dog to watch you play in slience.
Dog has to ignore what humans are doing.
Train, train, train....