Of barking & being the bad kid on the block

If only life were this peaceful all the time with our very vocal Layla Moon.

We go to the dog park.

We walk at least 5 miles each day.

We play fetch.

We work on impulse control.

We try to socialize with other people and dogs.

Still, our nearly 6-month-old Layla Moon has become a verbose little beast, barking at everything and nothing at all.

On walks, she barks when dogs pass by. She barks when people she knows seek to pet her. She barks when there’s an ill scent on the wind.

Don’t get me started on what happens when we encounter a squirrel or rabbit. Dear reader: When it’s announced I’m recuperating from a broken hip, it will be because a squirrel was sighted and had to be immediately verbally assaulted.

To try to remedy our Layla’s barking, The Weed and I walk around with all manner of treats in our pockets: Training treats, Beggin’ Strips, hot dogs, shredded chicken, American cheese, pulled pork. You name it, we’ve tried it.

Still, Layla insists on singing the song of her people. Loudly.

Research tells me this is the prime age for Layla to find her voice. Also, the most important time to work with her on using her powers for good.

I’m told to stay calm and in control when she barks. Don’t get annoyed. Don’t yell.

So, when this tiny dog terrorist takes off on a canine rant, I go all Zen Master…Deep breathing and apologizing to whatever/whomever has been the focus of her angry outburst.

Research says I should not use a muzzle. Frankly, I’m not sure I could do that anyway.

I should encourage her quiet by treating her only when she is fully composed. This may have happened. Once. I threw the bulk of three hot dogs at her in celebration. Total meat sweats situation.

I should help her avoid encounters that cause barking, like turning away from another dog walking down the street. Do you know how difficult it is to dodge dogs in a dog-friendly community?

I should make sure she is tired after a range of diverse activities.

I should identify the type of bark she is barking: Alarm bark, play bark, frightened bark. There are a lot of barks to identify, people.

The one bright spot to Layla’s sudden verbosity is the kindness and willingness of people to help.

We’ve had neighbors visit the house to be barked at while eating from a nice plate of cheese. We’ve had neighbors plunge their hands into bags of pulled pork to entice Layla into a composed state.

The countless people I’ve apologized to are all very nice and seem to understand I’m parenting a bad kid right now.

Last week, a lady at the dog park volunteered her dog, Red, to walk alongside us as Layla assessed his likelihood of assaulting us. Red took Layla’s barks like a champ as I tossed heaps of training treats on the ground in front of us. Research tells me tossing the treats on the ground will encourage her to look for the treats and maybe, MAYBE, not focus so much on her bark.

Lastly, research tells me to be consistent. Well, researchers, that’s one tall task.

I will do my best all while trying to silence the bad kid on the block.