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I just adopted the cutest little dog, but he barks at EVERYTHING!

Posted: May 26, 2011

I'm not sure his exact breed. He looks like mix between a long haired terrier, like a Westie and a Lhasa apso. He's small and cute, but he barks at the cats, he barks at the guinea pig, he barks out the window at birds, squirrels, etc. It makes it difficult to have him in the same room with me when I'm working. I've had him now for about a month and I thought that once he got used to the two cats and the guinea pig, he would stop his nonsensical barking, but he hasn't.

So how do you break a dog from constantly barking?

;

Swift correction - longtail4711

[ In Reply To ..]
Grab an extremely yummy treat, like warmed hot dogs pieces (never met a dog who could resist those!). When he starts barking, give him the command "STOP!" clearly and firmly (don't scream it or repeat it. Be very deliberate about it) and wave the treat in front of his nose as you say it. He will immediately turn his attention to you and the treat and stop barking. Wait 3 seconds and give him the treat and say "Good boy!" and act thrilled and happy. Wash, rinse, and repeat. When he starts getting that "stop" means a treat, you can start drawing out the time between the command and the treat. Go from 3 seconds to 5 seconds, to 7 seconds and so on.

Okay, now don't blast me for this. I am totally - devoted to animals, but SM

[ In Reply To ..]
my sister has 4 little dogs who bark at anything that moves, even when people move about in a room. I saw this infomercial about a collar that gives them a little "shock" when they start doing this. I am thinking of getting her this for Christmas. Of course, I would thoroughly check it out first to make sure it wouldn't actually hurt the dogs. I think if you looked on the As Seen on TV websites, you could find it. I can't remember the name at the moment. She has spent years doing what was suggested above. They still bark.

Be careful - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
We were thinking about getting one of those collars for our dog who is extremely spastic and we talked to a certified dog trainer first. They warned against it, as the shock gives them a little pinch and does hurt them some and could turn the dog aggressive instead of helping anything. They said even a dog who has never hurt anyone and is very mild mannered could turn aggressive with these collars because once it is set off, the dog could associate the pain with whoever is near them and snap. They don't understand that they are wearing a collar that caused the pain and that you have a button you push; they will associate the pain with whoever is closest to them most likely and could develop resentment and/or aggresstion.

We decided against this after talking with a trainer as we have small children in the house and wouldn't want to risk it and we love our dog and wouldn't want to hurt her.

We instead enrolled her in obedience school at a local Pet Smart and it did wonders. Granted, we have only done the beginning class but she responds much better and she loved the class. Turns out she just has a brain that loves to be stimulated and learning different commands is just perfect for her. It keeps her better behaved and her mind busy.

Just my opinion, but I don't think the collars are worth the risk, but I'm not judging anyone who has used these before.

How terrible to use that! I have a rescue dog that one of those was used on - Horrified

[ In Reply To ..]
and she was terrified of everything that even resembled that control. People should have to have those shock collars put on them and see how it feels. They would never use them again. You cannot be devoted to animals if you use one of those, you are an animal abuser.

I have one of those "bark-off" things... - momofjacks

[ In Reply To ..]
It's an as seen on tv product I think, but I got it at Target. It's battery operated and emits an ultrasonic pitch that dogs don't like, so when they bark they hear the noise as an automatic correction for the behavior. It works on my Jack Russell, but he's normally pretty quiet. I only turn it on when I know there's going to be something going on that will give him a reason to continuously bark - like people coming over or in and out of the driveway.

Would that work for howling? - MIB

[ In Reply To ..]
My dog has taken to howling when I leave.

This started after I moved from a house into a condo. I know she misses me, I understand the separation anxiety and/or boredom, and I have tried everything I have read about - I turn on the TV, stuff a Kong toy, she has toys and treats and an old T-shirt of mine, but still she howls.

The vet suggested Benadryl and I am also considering a citronella collar.

Do you know, would that sound thing work for howling? Or does anyone have any "howl-off" suggestions?

you need to get the dog to obedience classes - ASAP

[ In Reply To ..]
I have had little dogs forever it seems. Right now I have two. They were rescue dogs as all of mine have been. Had one first, a Shi Tzu and she barked at the wind... when I got teh second, a pom-chi, she learned the behavior from the first. Since I had little dogs before I let them get comfy in the home, then off to school they went. They are beautifully behaved, happy dogs now. They bark, but not at every dog gone thing now.

It seems to be a little dog behavior, yappy nervous barks. The only thing that works is consistent and good training. Shock collars and sound collars are cruel methods of dealing with a negative behavior, can injure and confuse the dog.

If you cannot afford a trainer, try going to to Cesar Milan\'s site and using the training tools there. It\'s a very cool site. Just be consistent and patient.

Barking dogs - dj

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a cute little 6 lb yorkie who barked all the time. I bought a spray collar at PetsMart. I sprays a lemon spray up at her nose when she barks. It\\\'s battery operated and fits up tight against undeside of her throat. Works like a charm. I don\\\'t even turn it on anymore, just put it around her neck. However, it will not work on dogs with a long nose.

Two things that might work - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
A water pistol or a put some pennies in an empty soda can and shake it.

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