barking... again

[Nikki+2]

I did use the search function for a solution but it seems like most methods work better for one dog (water bottle, buzzing, metal bowl, etc.) and I have three.

Anytime the doorbell rings my 3 go absolutely bonkers. They totally feed of of each other. They are barking at each other as much as anything. It's just a huge game. Once we let whoever is at the door in they continue to bark and go crazy. It is very embarrassing.

I have tried the pennies in a can. It worked great at first and then got a little less effective. Also, if they were barking at friends and we shook the can, we scared the friends as well as the dogs. Very embarrassing. It is really out of control.

I was looking at silent dog whistles today- has anyone had any success with them? The only post I could find said it didn't work. I know teaching them to speak is a good way to teach them not to bark but with three adult dogs, I just don't know if that's going to happen. Okay, any suggestions?

[autumn star]

Good luck Nikki, I hope you get some great responses because I am starting to have the same problem w/my two!!!!

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Oh, I feel for you. Although, it's actually only 1 of mine who is a barking noisemaker...then the other 2 start.....last night, we had a bad rain storm with high winds knocking over trash cans, etc. outside...so of course Foxxy started...then Diva...then the puppy...I was so frustrated I yelled BE QUIET!!! and they did....they scared me(it was 2AM & I was sleep), and I guess I scared them too out of reflex...lol. But I know what you mean about 1 starting something and the others follow... they do it when they hear the doorbell too..it's like once they start, it goes on and on for awhile...even after the person has come thru the door!

[yml]

Take any advise on this too...I did try the pennies in a can, worked for a day if that, and off they go again, and it is worse when one is trying to out bark the other, OMG! Help Please!!! Nikki+2 if you get any PM's on this please PM me and share!!! Thank You~ Yvonne

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by yml

Take any advise on this too...I did try the pennies in a can, worked for a day if that, and off they go again, and it is worse when one is trying to out bark the other, OMG! Help Please!!! Nikki+2 if you get any PM's on this please PM me and share!!! Thank You~ Yvonne

LOL, I will! They sure are stinkers!

[kezza]

Oh me tooooo! Pixie has turned into a yapper!! it's getting embarrassing when she's barking at the neighbours and once she starts she won't stop...she's also doing it more while out walking on the lead..usually when other dogs are barking and they start her off..she can make a hell of a noise for a lil 3lb yorkie!

[ldenise]

"They totally feed of of each other"
you don't realize how totally true that statement is.
I started ringing the door bell very often just to get them used to hearing it and not responding so loudly. I think if I had stuck with it I might have accomplished something. but I gave up too soon. good luck. we got 4 that do the exact thing.

[MyDuke]

The only time i'm home and hear Duke bark is when there's some noise outside of our door. However, my pet contract stated that if my neighbors complain of barking, i will have to get rid of my pet. I recent found out that a few of my neighbors complained that they heard dogs barking.

I'm just really worried since he's going to stay with a friend who has a yorkie that barks a lot as well. I hope he won't pick up any of the habbits and that my neighbors will stop complaining.

I tried the penny in a bottle and water spray and saying no or stop. He still does it, I think it's just in his nature.

Anything else would help,

Thanks,

[marcerella02]

i just finished reading Caesars book Be the Pack Leader (Lord knows i need to be it!) anyways... he said that the water and pennies and whatever totaly don't work... what he really recommends are cirontella collars. But they have to be worn at least for 10 hours a day for the dogs to get the hint.. not just when you know (or don't know) when someone is going to come to the door. Layla's babysitter's labradoodle was a horrible barker and she used the collars and had incredible sucess with them.. now Pluto (the dog) doenst' have to wear it at all anymore.

another thought... do they all know sit? He also suggests getting a friend or two to work with you for the day... ringing the door bell and the door doens't get opened until they are all sitting and staying... i guess you have to already be the pack leader for that to work (Which again.. i am not.. lol.. so sure doens't work at our house) but if you had the time it would be somethign great to work on

[mypreciouspups]

I have 4 and yes they just feed off each other, and it can be so annoying and embarrassing..
I hope you get some idea's as I would love to hear of some different ones also..
good luck...

[Nikki+2]

Well we're going to try this. Everyday for around 15 min. we're going to work with them. My daughter will ring the doorbell, I'll say hush but then ignore them until they settle down. Once they are calm I'll praise them and give them a treat and then start over. What do y'all think? Maybe they'll catch on eventually?

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Well we're going to try this. Everyday for around 15 min. we're going to work with them. My daughter will ring the doorbell, I'll say hush but then ignore them until they settle down. Once they are calm I'll praise them and give them a treat and then start over. What do y'all think? Maybe they'll catch on eventually?

i think that is great. They are going to learn that whoever they are DYING to see is not coming in until they are quiet. And when they are quiet they get a treat AND get loved on by the person coming in.. That's great. But keep in mind.. if they start barking again.. she should go back outside and start again. good luck and keep us posted!

[val]

I bought a loud bike horn, I have two big barkers. It did not work for my bigger dog, but she is ten and very stubborn. My little yorkipoo, different story, just seeing the horn scares her now, so we don't have to use it half as much. I find it works great, and she is almost three. Hope this helps. She was a big barker as well, I found that her bark was worst than the bigger dog, and my oldest is kind of a watch dog for us so I have given up on it working on her, my neighbour told me about it, he has saved my sanity.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i think that is great. They are going to learn that whoever they are DYING to see is not coming in until they are quiet. And when they are quiet they get a treat AND get loved on by the person coming in.. That's great. But keep in mind.. if they start barking again.. she should go back outside and start again. good luck and keep us posted!

Thank you. We finally had to break down and ignore them when we come home because they were getting out of control barking with excitement at us. They learned really quick that they won't get attention until they are quiet so hopefully they'll pick this up quick too. They're so easy to spoil and then all of a sudden you realize you've lost all control.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by val

I bought a loud bike horn, I have two big barkers. It did not work for my bigger dog, but she is ten and very stubborn. My little yorkipoo, different story, just seeing the horn scares her now, so we don't have to use it half as much. I find it works great, and she is almost three. Hope this helps. She was a big barker as well, I found that her bark was worst than the bigger dog, and my oldest is kind of a watch dog for us so I have given up on it working on her, my neighbour told me about it, he has saved my sanity.

We tried pennies in a can which is probably along the same lines as the horn, both being a loud, scarey noise. It worked pretty well but I hate doing that when friends are over. Between 3 dogs barking and us making a loud noise it's embarrassingly crazy.