Barking only in the evenings

[Billys mum]

My 11 year old has recently started barking just as we are settling down in the evening to watch TV. He goes into the kitchen and barks constantly. i think he is barking as he wants a treat/biscuit. I just don?t know why it?s started out of the blue. We?ve tried distracting him with toys and playtime it?s now so bad that we just dread the evenings. We ignore him as I obviously won?t give him a treat if he?s barking for one but he goes on and on and on. He knows the Quiet command but it doesn?t work in the evenings. He has been to the vets recently and there is nothing medically wrong. Any suggestions? My husband has retired recently (6 months ago) and he does spoil the dog and I wonder if he has rewarded him when he?s been barking and now this is what?s happening. Help!!

[Jaysmumagain]

Just wondering has this started since the nights have started to get darker!

Also does he do it if you make him stay in the living room when you watch tv. Lastly what about later does he keep this up through the night.

Maybe bring him out of the kitchen when he starts, give him the quiet command and make him lie down.

Cockers are such crafty monkeys - it could be a case of boredom and thinking I'm not the center of attention now the tellys on   The selective cocker deafness is another thing...my old boy would be deaf to most things....but the cupboard dog which stored his food and treats would somehow see him appear in seconds, so would the lead coming of the hook

Hope someone comes along with some other ideas....give it a few days to see who post on here, so regulars tend to come along during the week.

[Mudmagnets]

Just wondering could some constructive training before you settle down for the evening help - recalls, retrieves that sort of thing. Training does seem to wear out minds and if he is tired maybe he would settle better. Scentwork training can be done inside or out for example.

Another idea to help him settle (maybe after the training) is a tool like a nylabone toy that he can chomp on and so relax

[bizzylizzy]

This made me smile as we have a very similar issue  with Humphrey and the cause most definately DOES stem  from my hubby  , he creeps into the kitchen mid evening to snack and Humphrey?s very quickly on his trail (wonder why?    ) but if he hasn?t heard the fridge door open by about 7.30 then he plonks himself infront of the telly and barks, just to remind us, - if we ignore that hint, his next step is to sit by the door and woof as if if wants to go outside, as he knows we don?t risk ignoring a toilet call but as soon as I approach the door, he turns round and races to the kitchen! 
Itnever fails to amaze me how quickly they adapt to a routine ruled by the clock and what devious little wotsits they can be , especially if it involves food!  D but the  suggestions from Jaysmumagain  and Mudmagnets are good, 👍
Best of luck! 

[Billys mum]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.last night he was barking and my husband went upstairs and watched TV up there and I stayed downstairs and Billy came and settled next to me and I didn?t hear a peep out of him! So it is definitely something to do with my husband. I?ll work through all your suggestions and see how we go!

[Mudmagnets]

 My husband has retired recently (6 months ago) and he does spoil the dog and I wonder if he has rewarded him when he?s been barking and now this is what?s happening. Help!!

aha so Billy is wrapping daddy round his little paws  maybe get hubby to reward him for being quiet instead would work?

[Jaysmumagain]

Hubby yep that could well be it.  Harry has his master wrapped round his little finger too

He runs off with anything I shout and say 'leave it' and he drops it.....not when hubbys in because the game is all about the chase and the reward yep hubby rewards him to get things back.