Question: I have a 3 year old German Shepherd mix who barks furiously whenever anyone walks past my home.

Salli: The first thing to realize is that German Shepherds were historically bred to be very protective. In addition to herding duties they were used as perimeter dogs, to guard the perimeter of the flock or of the whole farm. That being stated, it’s important to insure that your dog or any dog for that matter will respond to the your calm direction when you say enough is enough.

Your first training job is to help your dog understand what is or is not a real threat. I think it’s appropriate to acknowledge the barking by going to look outside and directing your dog away from the window when someone walks by. By doing this you are showing him you appreciate his vigilance, but you are not concerned. You may be able to nip a lot of this in the bud by this simple act.

The remaining barking can be dealt with by keeping him away from the window with a tether if needs be and rewarding quiet behavior with positive attention, toys and treats. Whatever you do, avoid raising your voice at the dog, as he will perceive this as your barking right along with him.