Please help - barking at other dogs

[Bellaandhelen]

Please advise me- the barking has become so out of control.

I have 2 unrelated, fixed, adopted 2 y/o yorkies: Bella and Baci.

Bella- I adopted from a rescue in early April. I don't know anything about her history- she does have a scar from a trauma on her R ear though. She is very attached to me and less loving towards any other people, but not mean- just a bit skiddish and not as cuddly. I do think she has quite a few fears and larger dogs is probably one of them.

Baci- I adopted about 3 weeks ago from another YTer- he is very loving, friendly, and well-adjusted. He's a bit skiddish around new people at first, but warms up quickly and loves to cuddle in anyone he know's lap and loves to play. Baci and Bella get along beautifully - and have from the moment they met! Also, they both get along with the little chi down the street.

Bella's barking was really under control before Baci joined us. We addressed her barking at the front door with shaking coins in a metal container- and the issue completely resolved. She was pretty good on our walks too- she would only bark at this one big dog in the neighborhood (when I first got her, his owner had just let him out roaming the neighborhood and he ran up to her - scaring her and me. He's not a mean dog, but I would never let any new dog come up to Bella without their being on a leash and the owner beign present). When I just had Bella, dealing with that one other dog wasn't too big a deal. When we would run into them on a walk, I would try to distract her with treats and commands, keep her on a short leash and tell her no barking- she would still bark some, but it would resolve pretty quickly and we'd move on.
Since Baci joined us, it's harder to control her since I am now walking two of them. Now, Bella is barking at any dog she sees or hears (pretty much every house in the neighborhood) and then her barking gets Baci barking. It's really embarrassing! I can't get them to stop! Right now, I've been walking them both on retractable leashes- because the like to have their space to potty and to sniff around.
I find myself dreading walks (we do at least 2 resonably long walks a day) now when I used to love them. I know the walks are good for them, but I don't know how to stop the barking.
Also, there are 2 yappy schnauzers who live in the yard next door. Before Baci came, we could get Bella to ignore them by telling her not to bark. Now, Bella and Baci run right up to the fench and bark viciously and the 2 schnauzers bark viciously right back- It's hard to get them to stop and it makes it impossible to just have a peaceful, fun time playing in the backyard with them. I am exhausted from all this and I feel like I am loosing all my ways to have them be able to get exercise and fun because of the barking.
Please help!!!

[polomysweetpup]

I have yorkie named Polo and he barks at every dog, He sees small or big so I know were you are coming from.

You know those little soda cans you can buy at they grocery store.
Buy some of those and put pennies in it and bring it on your walk. When they see another dog and start barking shake the can and use a cue word Quiet.
If that doesn't work whenever they bark turn around and go in the opposite direction. Wait until they are calm and then turn back keep repeating this until they get it that if they bark they get turned around.


I hope this helps you

[Bellaandhelen]

Thank you- I do need to try the coin thing on our walks. I'll try tonight and let you know how it goes. LOL- I need get a bag or somethign to carry all the stuff I need during walks: treats, coins in bottle, bags for poop, keys, muzzle/dog mace (in case a dog tried to attck my little ones)... it's getting to be too much to hold on to

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Bellaandhelen

LOL- I need get a bag or somethign to carry all the stuff I need during walks: treats, coins in bottle, bags for poop, keys, muzzle/dog mace (in case a dog tried to attck my little ones)... it's getting to be too much to hold on to

I was considering wearing a toolbelt myself!

[Bellaandhelen]

So, I gave in and have started carrying a bag on our walks to tote all the gear I need. The neighbors already think I'm crazy- the dog stroller told them that I'm glad I'm not any younger or caring what folks think of me
The coins really helped on our walks last night and this morning- I wish I had tried it sooner. The barking hasn't stoped completely, but I am optimistic that with some consistency I will be able to get things under control. Bella HATES the coins so it worked pretty good for her- Baci doesn't seem quite as bothered by them, but just having Bella stop helps calm him down. I'm just going to keep trying and be as consistent as possible.
One thing that makes it all hard is balancing both retractible leashes and shaking the coins at one time- I can't shake and hold down both buttons on the leashes at once. Maybe this is just a sign that I need to walk them on shorter/ non-retractible leashes or need to use a coupler and one retractible leash. I guess I should just try it- it's just a shame because I love them having more freedom to sniff and have their own space. They hate the coupler- especially cause they don't want to be near each other when they are doing their business- and they usually only poop on walks. Definitely want them to keep doing that outside.

Thoughts on the leash thing?

What do others with multiples do about walking/leashes?

Forgot to bring the coins out in backyard first thing this morning, so it was a vicious barking mess at 5am- sorry neighbors. Will try coins later today for that. Also, I'm thinking of planting some thick bushes by the fence in September when it cools down a bit- maybe that will help to seperate my babies from the neighbors schnauzers.

Originally Posted by Maximo

I was considering wearing a toolbelt myself!

LOL- I love it!

[Buster Bailey]

I have two 9 1/2 mth old yorkies and I have a coupler. I loved it at first, because it was a lot easier for me, but it is difficult for the pups when they have to go potty. One stops & the other one has to stop pretty much right by them. I now only use the coupler if I know they probably won't have to poop on our walk (which they'll sometimes still do anyway). I normally walk them on 6 foot leashes. They get tangled enough with 6 feet of leash (why I got the coupler in the first place), and I can't imagine what the tangle would look like with more leash! I have a problem with my little ones barking at other dogs as well - they only bark at moving dogs on our walks though - they can walk right by a dog in its own yard & not say a peep. They think every dog on a walk wants to meet them & be friends, and well, that's just not the case! I have also been thinking about getting a bag of some sort to go on walks with, but I just don't want to do that since I also go running with them on our walks. I bring a water bottle with me sometimes (I just hold it in my hand the whole walk) & squirt them on "stream" when they bark - that seems to work pretty well for me to get them to stop barking at another dog. If I don't bring it though, I have a harder time getting them to stop. I use a pop can/pennies at home, maybe I will try that on oour walk. Thanks for the post!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Bellaandhelen

So, I gave in and have started carrying a bag on our walks to tote all the gear I need. The neighbors already think I'm crazy- the dog stroller told them that I'm glad I'm not any younger or caring what folks think of me
The coins really helped on our walks last night and this morning- I wish I had tried it sooner. The barking hasn't stoped completely, but I am optimistic that with some consistency I will be able to get things under control. Bella HATES the coins so it worked pretty good for her- Baci doesn't seem quite as bothered by them, but just having Bella stop helps calm him down. I'm just going to keep trying and be as consistent as possible.
One thing that makes it all hard is balancing both retractible leashes and shaking the coins at one time- I can't shake and hold down both buttons on the leashes at once. Maybe this is just a sign that I need to walk them on shorter/ non-retractible leashes or need to use a coupler and one retractible leash. I guess I should just try it- it's just a shame because I love them having more freedom to sniff and have their own space. They hate the coupler- especially cause they don't want to be near each other when they are doing their business- and they usually only poop on walks. Definitely want them to keep doing that outside.

Thoughts on the leash thing?

What do others with multiples do about walking/leashes?

Forgot to bring the coins out in backyard first thing this morning, so it was a vicious barking mess at 5am- sorry neighbors. Will try coins later today for that. Also, I'm thinking of planting some thick bushes by the fence in September when it cools down a bit- maybe that will help to seperate my babies from the neighbors schnauzers.




LOL- I love it!

With two I dont use retractable leashes just regular leashes and I can put them both in one hand

[Bellaandhelen]

Thanks Buster Bailey. I just saw your other thread about being embarrassed about the barking- I totally understand!!!! I guess at least we know we aren't alone in this

Thanks Chachi - after hearing from you and Buster Bailey, I am going to switch over to regular leashes and see how that goes for a while. I am new to the multiple dog walks and obviously what I've been doing hasn't been working, so time to try something new.

[MI Yorkielover]

You are definitely not alone. I am being systematically driven out of my mind with our seven month old yorkie Hazel. We got her about five weeks ago and she constantly barks in our back yard. Sophie (who is an absolute angel) we got when she was an eight week old yorkie puppy (she's eight months now) and isn't a strong barker but Hazel ! We have a very large fenced in back yard with dogs on all sides and the barking never stops! We get up at 4:30 am to avoid the neighbor dogs but the rest of the day is like bedlam!! We have bushes on all sides but she just goes underneath to bark. I'm waiting for one of the neighbors to call animal control and by then I'll be in tears. We have seriously considered giving up on Hazel and sending her back to the breeder who offered to take her back if we had any issues but we are very attached to her thus making this a very hard decision. If anyone can help us we would greatly appreciate any advise.

[mercurylady]

Hazel is the SAME way! I am so embarrass to take her out. She'll attack.....

[Bellaandhelen]

Ok, so using regular leashes on walks has helped me tremendously! Definitely not perfect- but much less barking and I am much more in control. Maybe we've run into less dogs lately, but the coins in the can are really helping, so I'm very optimistic things will continue to improve.

I'd definitely recommend trying the coins to anyone else having trouble with barking.

As far as the back yard- again the coins are helpful- but there's more of a challenge because there is so much more freedom for them. I haven't been able to experiment as much since we've been having a lot of rain.

MI Yorkielover - I'm so sorry- these little cuties really can make us feel like we are loosing our minds with the barking! And adding a second has been so much more to handle than I anticipated! Have you tried the coins yet? Or squirting with a water bottle? Do you have any way to confine your babies in a smaller area in the backyard? I sometimes babygate our deck to keep ours up there and the barking is much easier to address and manage. I must admit- I'm sad to hear that bushes don't help

[MI Yorkielover]

Originally Posted by mercurylady

Hazel is the SAME way! I am so embarrass to take her out. She'll attack.....

Mercurylady-Who said "what's in a name?" ha-ha

Originally Posted by Bellaandhelen

Ok, MI Yorkielover - I'm so sorry- these little cuties really can make us feel like we are loosing our minds with the barking! And adding a second has been so much more to handle than I anticipated! Have you tried the coins yet? Or squirting with a water bottle? Do you have any way to confine your babies in a smaller area in the backyard? I sometimes babygate our deck to keep ours up there and the barking is much easier to address and manage. I must admit- I'm sad to hear that bushes don't help

Bellaandhelen-I agree that adding a second is much more difficult to handle especially an untrained seven month old. We have a patio outside our slider we may try to fence in, thanks. We are willing to try almost anything in order to keep her. Unfortunately coins don't work and we don't want to reward the barking with calling her for treats so I end up chasing Hazel around the yard while Sophie watches and then joins in thinking it's a game I guess . I'm not as young as I used to be and it's a real pain (literally)!!

[megooego]

Originally Posted by Bellaandhelen

One thing that makes it all hard is balancing both retractible leashes and shaking the coins at one time- I can't shake and hold down both buttons on the leashes at once. Maybe this is just a sign that I need to walk them on shorter/ non-retractible leashes or need to use a coupler and one retractible leash. I guess I should just try it- it's just a shame because I love them having more freedom to sniff and have their own space. They hate the coupler- especially cause they don't want to be near each other when they are doing their business- and they usually only poop on walks. Definitely want them to keep doing that outside.

Thoughts on the leash thing?

I don't know what kind of retractable leash you were using before or if it had this, but I just recently got a new retractable leash and it has a button you press in to stop the leash from extending, and you don't have to keep your finger pressing it down you can just snap it in place at a certain length. This way you could still have the retractable so the dogs have their space. I don't know if this would help but i know that it's much easier for me when I take my Jimi places because I can be carrying things or taking care of other business and not have to hold the button in the whole time. This way you could snap both leashes in place and then take out your can of coins and use it if you needed to.. If you already have this feature on your leash and its not helping just disregard this lol sorry

As for the barking, my pup doesn't have issues with barking just whining at other dogs mainly because his puppy instincts take over and he wants to go play with them. He just doesn't realize that most of these dogs have no interest in playing with him haha I'm going to see if the coins help me as well!

[Bellaandhelen]

Hi- I just wanted to tell you guys thank you- taking the coins with me consistantly and using the shorter/regular leashes has made walking enjoyable again!!! It took a few days for them to readjust to the regular leashes, but now they seem happy and I think they know I'm mor ein control now because they don't even start barking nearly as much- often I can get them to stop just by saying "quiet" and one shake of the coins definitely stops them. YAY!!!!!!

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

Bellaandhelen-I agree that adding a second is much more difficult to handle especially an untrained seven month old. We have a patio outside our slider we may try to fence in, thanks. We are willing to try almost anything in order to keep her. Unfortunately coins don't work and we don't want to reward the barking with calling her for treats so I end up chasing Hazel around the yard while Sophie watches and then joins in thinking it's a game I guess . I'm not as young as I used to be and it's a real pain (literally)!!

I am so sorry- I feel your pain! The backyard is just so difficult because there is soooo much more space for them to run circles around us literally. I have found that the coins do help out in the backyard- but I find that I need to be out there actively keeping them distracted/playing with them to keep them from the lure of the fence and barking at the neighbor dogs. I do think they seem to find it a most fun game - the barking and the feeding off each other when we are trying to get them to stop I think the idea of fencing your patio in would help you manage them tremendously- especially if they are wearing you out with running around such a large area. Do you get to take them for walks often? I find that the more/ longer walks I take them on the better their behavior- especially with Baci my little ball of energy He can run the neighborhood with me!
I will be sending you good thoughts!!! Hang in there!

Originally Posted by megooego

I don't know what kind of retractable leash you were using before or if it had this, but I just recently got a new retractable leash and it has a button you press in to stop the leash from extending, and you don't have to keep your finger pressing it down you can just snap it in place at a certain length. This way you could still have the retractable so the dogs have their space. I don't know if this would help but i know that it's much easier for me when I take my Jimi places because I can be carrying things or taking care of other business and not have to hold the button in the whole time. This way you could snap both leashes in place and then take out your can of coins and use it if you needed to.. If you already have this feature on your leash and its not helping just disregard this lol sorry

As for the barking, my pup doesn't have issues with barking just whining at other dogs mainly because his puppy instincts take over and he wants to go play with them. He just doesn't realize that most of these dogs have no interest in playing with him haha I'm going to see if the coins help me as well!

Thank you for the tip- I am always appreciative. That button was broken on my leashes - I still like the retractibles but think I'll only use them when both my hubby and I are out walking together- so each of us only has one dog to handle My Baci seems to do that high pitched whining- I was wondering if it was fear or excitment- hmmm. Maybe it is just that he wants to go play...

[eauxbehv]

OMG I am all over that can idea. My 5 yr old is so naughty pulls on leash and barks at EVERY THING and he has taught my 5 month old the same bad habits. He was so out of control yesterday barking at a dog he hurt his foot and I had to carry his little chunky bum home.