Learning bad habits

[dippa]

Hi all,

I'm getting my Ridgeback this Sunday, and my partner is getting her Border Collie in 4 weeks.

We both work during the day 8.30am till 5.30pm so wanted them to have some company, we will be taking off the first week and company home during the day while they are young.

Anyway to the question, our next door neighbour has a dog that barks during the day I maybe because he's bored. If we keep our dogs well excerised and looked after whats the chance our dogs will learn off the bad habits of the next doors dog?

Cheers

[rythmnrr]

I wouldn't worry so much about the neighbors dogs ...RR's aren't known to bark for just any reason they really bark if they are playing or something is wrong etc. Mine don't make a peep unless they need too!  Thats whats so great about the breed you will know something is up when they bark!!  If they are pups the RR and BC, I would just make sure they get out of there confinement at least a couple times a day. Puppies can't really hold ther bladders until after 24weeks of age . 
Good Luck!
Rene'

[caro]

As Rene says, I wouldn't worry so much about the Ridgeback as they tend to bark only when there is a reason.  However, whenever the farm dog next door is out with the cattle and barking at the cows, my bitch always has to respond.  My male just looks, but Cat can be quite noisy.  I would, however, be more concerned about the BC.  BC's need a job to do because they get bored very easily.   If, however, you give them enough time to tire each other out, you will probably be OK. 

Caroline

[Safi]

We have a Rottweiler on the other side of our fence and our 5 month old RR has never once returned the barking. We have even run into other dogs on leash that would bark at her and she would just sit and look at them. The Alaskan Malamute at our puppy class however .. once he starts to howl, our RR starts barking soon after

So far the only real barking is when she is at play. I think you are really going to enjoy your RR .. I know I am totally enjoying mine

Steve

[lilacocelot]

After reading how Ridgebacks hardly bark, I am surprised how much my pup is barking. He def. barks alot during our puppy preschool class at all the other puppies in the room. And lately he has been really barking at my cats, while they just sit there looking back at him.

[1st5]

My boy Brodie doesn't bark unless he feels he needs to...like when someone is coming to the door or when he is playing at the dog park.
The pup Jess barks a lot right now...mostly excited at play. She'll settle down I think.
You hit it right I think...keep them exercised and tired.

[Keeper]

so Dippa...tell us about the pup.  He must be 4+ months by now...and perfectly trained, right?   

[dippa]

Hi Keeper, yep, perfectly trained!!

If by perfectly trained you mean, ignore me and chase the other dogs, then yes

Max is great, he has great personality and I think will grow to be a gentle giant. He's stopped the puppy bitting and has his puppy training underway and is now towering over all the rest of the dogs in the class. Its amusing watching him with our Border Collie (who is 3 weeks younger) which makes him look a little slow on the uptake, I expect the BC will quickly take the alpha dog status with Max already following him around!

Funny thing is Max was the smallest of the litter and expected to grow to around 36kg. However he's now 21kg and tomorrow will be 4 months old to the day, and our vet is expecting him to grow closer to 50kg mark!

In regards to picking up bad habits from next doors barking dog, that has not been an issue as everyone suggested. We walk both dogs seperately at least once a day, most of the times twice, this is keeping them from being too destructive in the back yard (expect for parts of the poor lawn!) and they amuse themselves while we are at work.

Now if I can just to get him to listen to me more!

[malismum]

Hi, my girl Mali won't even bark in reply when we go for our walk and pass by dogs behind fences. I am sure you know the ones I mean they sound really mean.  I am so proud of her, while they bark and snarl their heads off as we pass
she behaves oblivious to all the commotion and just keeps walking. It is true Ridgebacks will only bark when they need and it usually means something is not quite as it should be.

Ann

[Keeper]

sounds like you both are training...and it works if it is consistent. 
Yes, Ann the majority of adult RRs let you know if there is something unusual on your property...or your vehicle.  However, depending on the training...and the enviornment...(other dogs) they are not ALL quite on walks like your girl.

Dippa, some lines are large.  Some are in the standard...and some are even at the low end of the standard.  I have noticed our RRs getting larger in the past few years.  Not something I think we should advocate by breeding them.   JMO.  I think many of the dogs from European countries are more substantial and a wee bit larger than in the states. 

I remember the first RRs I seen in this country were heavier boned and larger than the standard
But for a time they began to go back toward our Standard...now in my area they are creeping up again.