Q: When driving, how do you train your dog not to bark at people walking on the sidewalk? When she is in the car and when walking her on a leash?

Hiya, Jennifer!
One client of mine takes along a marrow bone or a stuffed Kong for car trips, so that her dog is happily working away at that, especially during city driving where there are more likely to be people on the street. Not only is it a good distraction, but it’s also building positive associations to car travel and breaking her habit of barking out the window.

As you work on this, you can also try a calming cap, which looks like a head sock and works much like blinders on a horse, decreasing the level of visual stimuli.

As for barking at people when she’s on leash, first you need to determine the reason for her barking. If it’s excitement or demand barking, trying to gain her attention, then you need to work on her impulse control in order to teach her more polite alternatives to get her way.  Sitting quietly at your side would be a much preferred approach.

Do you have a dog training question? Ask Natalie’s trainer!

If it’s a fear-based behavior — barking to keep people away from her, for instance — then you need to make her more comfortable with people’s presence. Have you tried giving her treats as you pass people on the street? If she’s hungry and the treats are yummy enough, she might warm to the idea of passing strangers! Just like the Kong in the car, she’s starting to associate something she has found unpleasant up until now with more pleasurable experiences!

Via: Msnbc