Embarrassed - CRAZY around other dogs!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Buster Bailey · 08-05-2009, 02:00 PM

I have 2 yorkies, 9 1/2 months old (they are brother & sister). I take them for walks every day (about 2-3 miles) & they go on puppy play dates & trips with us all the time, so they have been exposed to all kinds of dogs & places. They behave very well - except they go CRAZY around other dogs. They are the nicest dogs ever & just want to meet other dogs...but they are so crazy & hyper that no other dogs want to meet them anymore (or the dog owners), plus there's 2 of them! I now let them each meet a dog (if the owner is willing) ONE at a time (the other is in my arms freaking out while the other one gets to meet the dog on our walk, then they switch). I've tried a water squirt bottle which sometimes works to get them to stop barking, and have resorted to muzzles when they get too out of control at my husband's baseball games (I get some dirty looks from fans trying to watch the game!). I just can't figure out the freak-out around other dogs. They bark SO LOUD that I get so embarassed. I make myself be calm & assertive when we pass other dogs, but they just can't calm down. Any suggestions?

yorkieagility · 08-06-2009, 07:58 AM

I have multiple dogs too and when one starts barking, they ALL start barking. Also doesn't help that most yorkies are natural barkers.

If they were mine dogs I would work with them one on one. Unfortunately, it means that you can't carry both of your dogs around until the problem is solved. I would carry tons of treats and reward my dogs for not barking and sitting nicely in presence of other dogs. This is not going to be a quick fix so it might take awhile before they learn that they have to behave around other dogs.

I might also want to check out some good doggy day care facility around the areas. Having my dogs in doggy day care might allow them to interact with many other dogs on a daily basis so that meeting a new dog would not be so exciting as it is now.

Buster Bailey · 08-06-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieagility

I have multiple dogs too and when one starts barking, they ALL start barking. Also doesn't help that most yorkies are natural barkers.

If they were mine dogs I would work with them one on one. Unfortunately, it means that you can't carry both of your dogs around until the problem is solved. I would carry tons of treats and reward my dogs for not barking and sitting nicely in presence of other dogs. This is not going to be a quick fix so it might take awhile before they learn that they have to behave around other dogs.

I might also want to check out some good doggy day care facility around the areas. Having my dogs in doggy day care might allow them to interact with many other dogs on a daily basis so that meeting a new dog would not be so exciting as it is now.

There actually is NO doggy day care available where I live - I've checked & was pretty bummed about that. I'll keep working on it, and hopefully they will get there. Thanks for the post!

DunkinDoodle · 08-07-2009, 06:08 AM

I have a similar problem with my 5-month old yorkie, Dunkin. He's so well behaved inside. Aside from some puppy antics and the usual accidents, he's doing really well. But as soon as we get outside, any people walking in the distance or dogs being walked make him go nuts ... but he's not only barking. He starts to growl and lunge at them, even if they are 100ft away! We're in a townhouse community, so there are always people out and about, and his barking is disturbing the the neighbors.

We've tried desensitizing with treats for the past 2 months, but he's just too worked up by the distractions to even take the treats. Sometimes he'll take the treat but start barking while it's in his mouth. We invested in a small squirt bottle yesterday, and I hope it helps to give him a quick squirt when he barks/growls.

He's such a good companion, and I would hate to think that we can't ever take him to parks or places in public. (You don't even want to know how AWFUL he did the last time I tried to take him to run an errand at PETCO.)

If you find a solution that works for you, please let me know!!

Cirlonde · 08-07-2009, 06:19 AM

Slightly similar situation...my Yorkie gets her feelings terribly hurt if she is ignored by strangers and/or their dogs. She's very friendly and usually does fine to greet other people/dogs, but if someone walks on by her and doesn't pay attention to her that's when she starts barking her head off and trying to get to them. Talk about embarrassing....

-C

Buster Bailey · 08-07-2009, 06:56 AM

Sounds like a lot of us are inthe same boat! If I find anything that works I will let you know!

Maximo · 08-09-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Bailey

Any suggestions?

I used the coins in a metal can method that several people suggested in the forum. A couple of shakes of the can, and my 8-month old boy stopped barking at every dog/car/person we passed on the street. He still gets a little excited and strains on his harness around dogs or kids, but he no longer barks.

DunkinDoodle · 08-11-2009, 06:30 PM

Based on the progress Dunkin has made with the squirt water bottle method, I recommend it!

It's been less than a week, and the change has been incredible. Most of the time, I don't even need to spray him. While we are out walking, he'll see something he wants to bark at and instead will look at me and the water bottle. He usually decides to mutter a low little "woof" instead of his typical bark attack (in which case I don't spray him). I'm also giving him treats when he doesn't bark at something he would normally bark at.

So far so good, and it's great!!

RoxyLuv · 08-12-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Bailey

There actually is NO doggy day care available where I live - I've checked & was pretty bummed about that. I'll keep working on it, and hopefully they will get there. Thanks for the post!

Do you have family, friends, neighbors that you can set up some play dates with your dogs a few times a week?

Buster Bailey · 08-12-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoxyLuv

Do you have family, friends, neighbors that you can set up some play dates with your dogs a few times a week?

Our friends that have a 20 pound dog that Buster & Bailey used to play with are going through family illness & are no longer around to have play dates. My in-laws have an English springer spaniel that Buster & Bailey love to go & play with, but the springer pees on them, so everytime we go there, they have to get baths (although we still see the springer at least every other week). Our other friends all have big hunting dogs that would eat my 2 if they got around them (their owners told me so!). I used to take Buster & Bailey on play dates but now we really don't have too many people around to do that with. I wish there was a doggy daycare...I've actually though about starting one but don't think I'm quite up for that at this point!

08-05-2009, 02:00 PM	#1
Buster Bailey Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN Posts: 188	Embarrassed - CRAZY around other dogs!! I have 2 yorkies, 9 1/2 months old (they are brother & sister). I take them for walks every day (about 2-3 miles) & they go on puppy play dates & trips with us all the time, so they have been exposed to all kinds of dogs & places. They behave very well - except they go CRAZY around other dogs. They are the nicest dogs ever & just want to meet other dogs...but they are so crazy & hyper that no other dogs want to meet them anymore (or the dog owners), plus there's 2 of them! I now let them each meet a dog (if the owner is willing) ONE at a time (the other is in my arms freaking out while the other one gets to meet the dog on our walk, then they switch). I've tried a water squirt bottle which sometimes works to get them to stop barking, and have resorted to muzzles when they get too out of control at my husband's baseball games (I get some dirty looks from fans trying to watch the game!). I just can't figure out the freak-out around other dogs. They bark SO LOUD that I get so embarassed. I make myself be calm & assertive when we pass other dogs, but they just can't calm down. Any suggestions? __________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom

08-07-2009, 06:19 AM	#5
Cirlonde YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 402	Slightly similar situation...my Yorkie gets her feelings terribly hurt if she is ignored by strangers and/or their dogs. She's very friendly and usually does fine to greet other people/dogs, but if someone walks on by her and doesn't pay attention to her that's when she starts barking her head off and trying to get to them. Talk about embarrassing.... -C __________________ (`•.¸Proud Momma of Chloe Belle and Karli Sue¸.•´) ~.•* Jersey's Four Leaf Clovers *•.~

08-07-2009, 06:56 AM	#6
Buster Bailey Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN Posts: 188	Sounds like a lot of us are inthe same boat! If I find anything that works I will let you know! __________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom

08-11-2009, 06:30 PM	#8
DunkinDoodle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Chester, PA, USA Posts: 49	Update! Based on the progress Dunkin has made with the squirt water bottle method, I recommend it! It's been less than a week, and the change has been incredible. Most of the time, I don't even need to spray him. While we are out walking, he'll see something he wants to bark at and instead will look at me and the water bottle. He usually decides to mutter a low little "woof" instead of his typical bark attack (in which case I don't spray him). I'm also giving him treats when he doesn't bark at something he would normally bark at. So far so good, and it's great!!

08-06-2009, 07:58 AM	#2
yorkieagility YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: House Of York Posts: 1,079	I have multiple dogs too and when one starts barking, they ALL start barking. Also doesn't help that most yorkies are natural barkers. If they were mine dogs I would work with them one on one. Unfortunately, it means that you can't carry both of your dogs around until the problem is solved. I would carry tons of treats and reward my dogs for not barking and sitting nicely in presence of other dogs. This is not going to be a quick fix so it might take awhile before they learn that they have to behave around other dogs. I might also want to check out some good doggy day care facility around the areas. Having my dogs in doggy day care might allow them to interact with many other dogs on a daily basis so that meeting a new dog would not be so exciting as it is now.

08-07-2009, 06:08 AM	#4
DunkinDoodle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Chester, PA, USA Posts: 49	I have a similar problem with my 5-month old yorkie, Dunkin. He's so well behaved inside. Aside from some puppy antics and the usual accidents, he's doing really well. But as soon as we get outside, any people walking in the distance or dogs being walked make him go nuts ... but he's not only barking. He starts to growl and lunge at them, even if they are 100ft away! We're in a townhouse community, so there are always people out and about, and his barking is disturbing the the neighbors. We've tried desensitizing with treats for the past 2 months, but he's just too worked up by the distractions to even take the treats. Sometimes he'll take the treat but start barking while it's in his mouth. We invested in a small squirt bottle yesterday, and I hope it helps to give him a quick squirt when he barks/growls. He's such a good companion, and I would hate to think that we can't ever take him to parks or places in public. (You don't even want to know how AWFUL he did the last time I tried to take him to run an errand at PETCO.) If you find a solution that works for you, please let me know!!