How to keep our dog away from the blinds...

5 years ago

Does anyone have any solutions to keep our 15# dog away from our floor to ceiling blinds? Two small windows (36") and one large window (four 36" windows in a row). Some sort of indoor dog fence even? She currently just karate chops the wood blinds in half whenever someone walks by our corner lot!

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Mrs. S

5 years ago

I have a few thoughts, none of them great, or easy. But with possibilities.

Yes, you could try a long indoor dog fence. But won't she just run around it? Or slam against it, pushing it into the blinds and windows? How about just covering up the bottom part of the windows so she can't see out there.... maybe some window cling material.... and then keep the blinds pullled up higher, out of her reach.

You could try adding heavy drapes and keeping them pulled. If she doesn't see the people out there, she won't be bothered so much. Or (at great expense), build a wall or place landscape hedges strategically so she doesn't get triggered.

Lastly, it is possible (even desirable) to train an alternative behavior, rather than running for the blinds (e.g. ringing a string of bells, or grabbing and shaking a chew toy, or running to you to get a treat--whenever she sees a person outside). This involves knowledge of how to train an alternative behavior. I use clicker training and have had success, but it is a learning curve if you've never done that.

I have been taught that it's a really bad idea to allow dogs to bark at windows, because they are more likely, after issuing months and years of "defending territory" and issuing those "warning" signals, to run out there and bite someone, if they ever get the chance. I'm not sure how that would apply to your dog, since they are all different, of course, but I always keep that in mind with our dogs, who like to do the same thing.

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Comments (8)

apple_pie_order
5 years ago
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pricklypearcactus
5 years ago
Visually this isn't the ideal option, but I have used this freestanding gate to keep my puppy out of areas where I couldn't use a traditional doorway gate.

Richell 3 in 1 Convertible Gate
Sammie J
5 years ago
We trained our dog by misting her in the face with water (just a regular water sprayer from Target). This was recommended by her doggie daycare. It seems a bit mean, but it didn't hurt her and the behavior stopped in a hurry. If you do this method, make sure to spray every time, immediately, as the dog is pawing the blinds - or even better, as she is nearing the blinds. Consistence is the key. Soon, she just had to see me with the sprayer and she would retreat.
Steve J
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I agree with others, training the behavior is the best way to stop it. Obstacles are generally only a challenge for most dogs, and simply another thing that will aide in destroying the blinds.

If they're horizontal blinds, you could just raise them up from the floor about 12-18" to allow the dog to see under them. But if they're vertical, it will be all about training, and consistent training.

My hidden fence system came with an indoor puck I used to train our dog to keep out of my dining room, and to keep away from our Christmas tree which was very effective if you don't think you can be diligent enough to train with other means.
erinsean
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We had business where people came to our office door and knocked. Our poodle would run to the door and bark. I cupped my hand around her nose and said "No". After two times, she would run to the door...look at me and wag her tail and sort of go ar-ar-ar softly. So agree training is best. Would you be able to keep the blind up a little so your dog can see out or do you need the privacy? This is just till she/he is trained to stay away.
miss lindsey (She/Her)
5 years ago
Would you let a five year old human behave this way? That is about the intelligence level of a dog. They are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for and can be taught how to be polite.

I would try just calling Dog over to the window, giving the command to Sit, and rewarding with a very small treat and verbal praise when the sit happens. Do this a few times a day, then more randomly, then eliminate the treat in favour of verbal praise only. Also treat/praise if Dog approaches the window and behaves politely without command.

When Dog runs at the window destructively without being invited, give a stern Off or Leave It command, count to five, then give the Sit command with reward.

If your dog doesn't know these three commands yet, start today. There are YouTube videos to teach you how, and all it takes is 15 minutes per day of deliberate work to make a huge change in a dog's life. Do not use any method that requires physical punishment.

The point is to create an alternate (polite) behaviour as Mrs. Pete suggested. Hopefully very quickly Dog will start associating the window with a place to sit nicely in order to get positive reinforcement.
chiflipper
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
A friend's English Mastiff went through one of her floor-to-ceiling front windows because of this behavior. On Vet's advice, she bought an "electric fence" and collar. Yep, the kind for exterior use. Yes, the wire will look strange in your front room but, you'll only need it "up and running" until your dog understands, maybe 3 weeks. The spray of water etc. doesn't work...because you aren't awake and home 24/7. The "fence" is always on and provides a deterrent every time. If the unwanted behavior ever resurfaces, promptly put it up again for a time. BTW, it worked perfectly on her "problem" Mastiff and all subsequent dogs...solved the dirty nose prints too.

How to keep our dog away from the blinds...

Mrs. S

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