The Barking!!!

[Rachael1983]

Emma has been barking at EVERYTHING! I appreciate her efforts in trying to protect the home, but I cannot calm her or get her to stop. Only thing that stops it is, putting her in the crate and covering it. If I let her out she's back at the barking.

I need solutions please. I'm taking tylenol now.

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

Emma has been barking at EVERYTHING! I appreciate her efforts in trying to protect the home, but I cannot calm her or get her to stop. Only thing that stops it is, putting her in the crate and covering it. If I let her out she's back at the barking.

I need solutions please. I'm taking tylenol now.

Oh, wow. We went through this exact same thing with Teddy. I found that the only thing that worked was teaching him QUIET. We taught him to SPEAK and immediately after, we said QUIET! He'd tilt his head like he didn't understand that word and we'd immediately give him a treat. Then, every time he barked inappropriately, we'd say QUIET and give him a treat when he looked at us. Finally, he just knew the word and we used it EVERY SINGLE time he barked inappropriately. For example, he would bark at the sound of the thermostat when it came on to heat the house or he'd bark because he saw a leaf blow by the window. He gets it now and he is a lot more calm. I really do think these dogs think they have to alert you to each and every sound and you really have to be strict about enforcing QUIET.


I know it sucks but I think you can correct it! Sorry about your headache!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Maybe try the Bark Genie?

[Maximo]

My boys tend to alert bark more when they haven't had their outdoor activities and have pent up energy. Could be that Emma is suffering a little cabin fever too. Or did she just recently find her voice? Or is she still getting accustomed to the new sounds of your new home?

I give the quiet command or redirect my guys to a couple minutes -- really brief session -- of doing tricks for treats. That usually settles them down. If they don't quit, I announce that I am leaving the room (they are gated in the living half of the house).

I hope you find what works for Emma.

[Rachael1983]

First Alert? For Pets - Bark Control - Bark Genie? Automatic Bark Control (Black)
Has anyone ever tried this? Fascinating concept.

Kristen, Emma could have a little cabin fever. We hadn't been out more than just potty time the last few days. I would say yesterday was the first time I've seen her act like that since we've moved and since I've had her.

[Jkpal]

Piper has recently started barking at my (very nice) backyard neighbors. She hushes when told, but the minute conversation starts, she's back to barking. So when that happens, I say, fine, then you go in the house...in the house, by herself, being ignored does not work for Piper! It's still a work in progress, but she seems to be getting the message that in order to be part of the action, she cannot be disruptive. When she does 'demand' barking in the house, I implement the ignore-thang by hiding out in bedroom or bathroom for a few minutes (umm, how is it I get relegated to the bathroom?!!!) Goshdarn if our Yorkies aren't the most beguiling and mystifying little dictators--and loved happily beyond reason!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

I stopped Tibbe from indiscriminate barking by first teaching him to bark on command(easy peasy), with treats for rewards and then once he was doing that like a champ, one day when he stopped barking on his own, I immediately gave the "Quiet" command together with a hand cue slicing my hand across my throat and stuck a treat in his mouth. Next time he stopped barking on his own, I repeated that. Next time he stopped barking on his own, I did the same and so on and so on. After a while, I gave the "Quiet" command and hand gesture while he was barking and it surprised him and he stopped barking to look at me, knowing I had a treat. I raved "Good Quiet!", praised him and instantly stuck several treats in his mouth.

Next time he started barking again, I let him bark for 10 seconds or so, then gave the "Quiet" command and gesture right in his face so that he stopped again in shock and for the treat he was hoping to get. Immediately praise/serial treating with a huge smile on my face. Repeated it many, many times, setting him up for success at first by having treats on hand and kind of getting over in his face when I gave the command and every time he stopped barking he got a smile, praise & big treats, an "uh oh", turning away from him and no treats when he didn't stop.

Before too long, in about a week, he basically understood that going "Quiet" was even more rewarding than barking and we kept the training up for a good two months, so that now he stops barking with just a look in his direction and he is always praised and treated when he stops barking(a natural instinct for a dog) on command.

Of course, he knows I don't usually mind his barking within reason and even encourage it when the doorbell rings or he hears an unusual sound, especially at night. But he now polices himself and only barks about 10 seconds and only longer if he's very concerned - though usually his barks will turn into low, serious growls if he's really concerned there is someone or something close to the house. Still, even barking at the top of his lungs and in full force, he will stop with my serious look in his direction or with my command if he's in the other room, knowing that is what pleases me because he's now trained that that is the best thing for him to do - gets him better gratification - instant smiles, praise and treats every time and everybody is happy.

[Jkpal]

YJilly--you are brilliant and determined and relentless and quite wonderful!! I do believe you have a bit of Yorkie in you; and you, too, must be adorable! I value your advice and detailed instructions--which prove amazingly effective. Thank you plus, plus, plus...!!!

[Magnus]

I should carry the treat bag around with me in the house.... My two are way too spoiled and I need to get back into training them.

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by Magnus

I should carry the treat bag around with me in the house.... My two are way too spoiled and I need to get back into training them.

Agreed for mine, too. When I lapse - so does he!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

[F Sans MS]YJilly--you are brilliant and determined and relentless and quite wonderful!! I do believe you have a bit of Yorkie in you; and you, too, must be adorable! I value your advice and detailed instructions--which prove amazingly effective. Thank you plus, plus, plus...!!![/FONT]

Oh, aren't you sweet but I'm far from brilliant and can't take credit for any original training techniques. They've all been tried before by somebody and each generation just passes them on. Almost any training technique for any given command will work as long as it's kind, fun and rewards the dog for his getting it right. And I think we all must be part Yorkie on this forum!

[Lilly pickle]

Hi
I am also having a problem with barking. At home I can cope with it but when out she barks at other dogs. She is wagging her tail all the time and running up to them as if she wants to play but just barks all the time. She is still a puppy at 6 months old. We have tried a distraction word and food treats but once she starts barking that's it. Picking her up will distract her but I don't want to get into that! Help is it to late. Jillyb

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Lilly pickle

Hi
I am also having a problem with barking. At home I can cope with it but when out she barks at other dogs. She is wagging her tail all the time and running up to them as if she wants to play but just barks all the time. She is still a puppy at 6 months old. We have tried a distraction word and food treats but once she starts barking that's it. Picking her up will distract her but I don't want to get into that! Help is it to late. Jillyb

Sounds like excitement barking - wants to meet and greet dogs when out and about. Here is what I would do if this were my dog and maybe you can use all or some of it to help your girl.

To me, this little girl needs way more socialization by taking her every where you can to meet other dogs for short periods of time, rewarding behavior you want and walking her quickly away from any dog she acts inappropriate around and terminating the session. Just keep working with her to teach her that barking is inappropriate and will get her an "uh oh", immediately turned and walked in the opposite direction, away from the very dog she wants to meet, whereas as long as she's not barking she's got a food treat in front of her that she will get if she restrains her impulse to bark until the dog passes - then she gets her food reward.

If this were my dog, I would be working her at home on teaching her impulse control - training her to restrain herself by obedience training and teach the "watch me", "wait", "leave it", "stay", etc., during very short, fun, frequent obedience lessons two or three times a day for the next two months. As she keeps her focus and is maintaining her command, once she has restrained herself for the appropriate time - only a couple of seconds at first while gradually increasing the time a little more each day until she is able to focus and restrain herself up to one minute in two weeks time - and then on up to two minutes in another month. Once she's done the command, tell her "Release" and immediately feed her a treat, smile hugely and praise, pet/tickle/scratch her affectionately - even doing a little dance celebration once she gets up to 30 seconds of holding herself quietly.

Teach her to focus on something you want her to focus on whenever another dog approaches outside, such as a squeaky toy or your fist closed over a favorite treat and give that focus command when she's out walking, before any dog approaches and teach her to maintain her focus by gradually increasing the time she restrains herself from looking around and focuses on your spot of choice with lots of positive reinforcement every time she gets it right and maintains it longer. If she breaks off too soon, you are hurrying her too much, so cut back on her focus time.

In time, use this command when outside and another dog is approaching and keep on working with her even if she breaks concentration a little bit or looks over at the dog by walking faster, squeaking the toy louder, making a kissing sound(works well with Tibbe) with your lips, jangle your keys and using whatever techniques you have to maintain her focus on you. If she does give in to barking, immediately say "uh oh", turn and walk the opposite direction as fast as you can, even running to get the message across to her excited brain that barking means stopping getting closer to the dog she so badly wants to get near and no treat is ever given.

If she's learned the focus command sufficiently at home, she should begin to use her impulse-control skills when out on a walk, given enough repetition and time. Be sure to always cross the street when another dog is approaching during training to put as much space between her and the other dog and help her maintain her focus on your hand or whatever you teach her to focus on while another dog is passing, in addition to making "uh oh" noises if she looks away briefly or using a squeaky toy, clicker or jangle your keys or something to immediately attract her eyes, focus back to you and walk fast to get on past the other dog.

Until she gains control of her impulse to act out, bark and gain what she sees is instant gratification from barking to greet another dog and can learn how to replace that impulse with a desire to hold her barking in and focus on your eyes or your fist with a treat in it, she will continue to bark and "misbehave" - though dogs don't see it that way. But by little by little keeping on working on teaching her that by restraining her barking impulse and focusing on you, ultimately she will gain more gratification due to serial treating(several treats in a row), celebration, party-atmosphere, lots of smiles and your pride, and believe it or not, she will begin to get it in a couple of weeks if you are persistent and consistent and keep it fun for her.

She will begin to associate that barking means getting summarily turned around and walked in the opposite direction from where she wants to go fast and even run in very fast, very tight circles, making her focus intently on just keeping her footing and keeping up rather than checking out the dog with dignity. It will sink in that learning to reign in her impulse to bark which gets her a luscious treat once she's walked quietly by another dog, followed by several more treats, your smiles, praises and a party of approval between the two of you, and she gets to keep on walking forward as you recite her praises going forward, is far more rewarding than getting turned and walked away very fast, getting no treats, smiles or praises or any fun at all.

Dogs learn the ability to walk by another dog outside by repetitive, fun training and association of the good and bad things that happen depending upon her behavior. Given enough time and patience, they really do learn to choose to do the behavior that is most rewarding to them so be sure you make her choice to stay calm and quiet the best she's ever made.

[Lilly pickle]

You got my dog spot on. She was a rescue dog and had not been socialised. We think she had spent all her early life in a handbag or being carried! Our older dog (not yorkie) is well socialised and not a barker so this is all new to us. I will try the walk/run away tactic with treat (she is not terribly motivated by food when she is barking). I may have been making the problem worse by trying to introduce her to other dogs. She used to bark at other walkers too but this has got better so it gives me hope! Thanks for any advice you may have I am prepared to try any and all suggestions to have a well adjusted sociable fun dog. Jillyb