HOw to teach adopted 4 yr old Lab to not bark at the weed whacker

[TheYellowLabradorian]

If my horse were afraid of the weed whacker noise, I know how I would get him over it--through desentizing; e.g. taking away the pressure when he relaxes. I'm wondering if this process would work for a Lab? I haven't ever owned a dog who bark at the power tools. What do you suggest I try? Thanks (again) for your help.

[Sophiesmama]

my poodle barks and chases the vaccuum cleaner...we just let her go for it, she seems to enjoy it...

[deidra]

I wouldnt let a dog attack a weed whacker!! Does your dog know the word enough braking? I would have someone start the weed whacker up and if she goes to bark I would correct her and say enough or whatever you use for quite. When she quits barking give her a high quality re-ward. Keep doing it practice 5 minutes a day 2 times a day, so she learns weed whacker=treat. Eventually you can take the treat away but it will take awhile.

[BigBrownDog]

I keep my dogs indoors when the weed whacker is being used. Any kind of lawn tool like that can kick up rocks/debris and cause injury particularly to eyes. So - my answer to your problem is to separate them.

[TheYellowLabradorian]

I keep my dogs indoors when the weed whacker is being used. Any kind of lawn tool like that can kick up rocks/debris and cause injury particularly to eyes. So - my answer to your problem is to separate them.

Thank you for replying.

[TheYellowLabradorian]

He doesn't attack. He just barks. Your suggestion is pretty much in line with what we are going to do. We'ved owned 6 dogs. He's the first to do this. He's adopted and has been in our care for two and weeks. I don't know what he knows yet, but there are big holes in his training. I'm confident we can bring him through this successfully. I just thought I'd check in to see what other ideas are out there.

Thanks for helping out.

[FLMike]

Our previous dog (a Pit that we got when she was about 2 weeks old; abandoned in a rental house) used to bark at and jump at the vaccuum cleaner. We cured her turning it on and when she started, I would step toward her and say "NO" firmly. Basically I used a Ceasar trick in "claiming the space" around the vaccuum. Took about 4 times of stepping toward her and saying "NO" b ut she never did it again after that....

[TheYellowLabradorian]

I wouldnt let a dog attack a weed whacker!! Does your dog know the word enough braking? I would have someone start the weed whacker up and if she goes to bark I would correct her and say enough or whatever you use for quite. When she quits barking give her a high quality re-ward. Keep doing it practice 5 minutes a day 2 times a day, so she learns weed whacker=treat. Eventually you can take the treat away but it will take awhile.

Problem solved! At least for now...we'll see if it sticks.

I put Yeller on a lead and brought him to the weed whacker while it was off. Let him sniff it and rewarded him with "good boy" and enthusiastic back scratches. Then I walked him away from it, while my husband turned it on. As Yeller stood still and silent, I rewarded him. We moved (at a safe distance) around the tool as it was being operated. I kept rewarding him for his good behavior. He never uttered a sound and showed no signs of fear. Phew.

Next, we did the same thing with the leaf blower. We went through the same process. He was fine.

[ChloeR]

My lab doesn't shut up when any power tool is near her. We just let her bark it out, the same way we let the baby cry at night

[Diesel_Dawg]

I'm with Sharon - your dog shouldn't be near motorized gardening tools, weed whacker, leaf blower or otherwise. It's all fun & games, til someone loses an eye....