Barking - what do you think about this??? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

SnowWa · 12-22-2005, 07:47 PM

I met a lady at the Vets with a little breed that is known for barking - and mentioned to her that she probably has a little barker on her hands. She said she didn't because she had a good trainer and her dog almost never barked.

Well OF COURSE -- I asked her what her trainer did.

She said he had her get some Binaca breath spray and spray the little dog's mouth (only the mouth) whenever it started on a barking spree (not every time it barked). She said we use Binaca ourselves and know what it is like. It is totally harmless (especially the small amount you have to use with a puppy) but a little strong, and definitely something that puppies do not like the taste of.

Anyway she said she sprayed her pup whenever it decided to go on a barking spree and it quickly stopped the pup from doing that.

In fact, before the dog starts barking now, she said it looks around to see if she and the binaca are in sight. And, if it sees her watching, it stays as quiet as a little mouse.

Just wondered what you thought!

PS -- The vet heard this and thought it was a "clever idea" ---especially since it seems to work.

yorkieusa · 12-22-2005, 07:50 PM

I've heard of doing that. It would be the same thing as using bitter apple spray and putting a small amount in the pup's mouth when the bark. I think the key would be knowing when to use it and when not to use it, because I would never want a dog that was afraid to bark. I guess I'm lucky with Kacee, because she seldom barks.

Yorkie Mum · 12-22-2005, 07:52 PM

I know others will say try cans of pennies but the puppy will be watching for that just as fast as the spray.
I try putting him on a clicker and walking by when it is quite click and drop a treat and keep on going. It will start to wonder why it is getting a treat and look for a way to get more.
if it starts barking toss a ball and see if it will pause long enough to look and click the silence and treat.

Joy

Lanie · 12-22-2005, 07:55 PM

I think this might control the barking sprees, but it might also stop the dog from barking period. How sad for the little one to look over at her before it does what comes naturally, then be scared to bark.

Even if she doesnt do it every time it barks, like you said, pretty soon I would think he would be just too scared to bark at all.

FirstYorkie · 12-23-2005, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie Mum

I try putting him on a clicker and walking by when it is quite click and drop a treat and keep on going. It will start to wonder why it is getting a treat and look for a way to get more.
if it starts barking toss a ball and see if it will pause long enough to look and click the silence and treat. Joy

YES!!! C/T (click & treat) for you!

Try a positive method first! Teach a "quiet" command.

I wonder why it is that we are so drawn to aversive methods and so reluctant to try positive methods. I'm guessing aversive methods give us a sense of power. Or, maybe they seem easier.

Yorkie Mum · 12-23-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstYorkie

YES!!! C/T (click & treat) for you!

Try a positive method first! Teach a "quiet" command.

I wonder why it is that we are so drawn to aversive methods and so reluctant to try positive methods. I'm guessing aversive methods give us a sense of power. Or, maybe they seem easier.

Well Thanks
I am a cross over trainer and still slip in thinking now and then but for the most part I am, if we can do it from calm and safe and loving way even if it takes a little more time I am for it.
My girl is sensitive and aggressive and needs all the time it takes to figure it out her way to be a happy kid.
My area of best understanding is aggression and working with them but if it works for them it can work for those guys lucky enough to have had a normal start in life.

Joy

JCarlson2004 · 12-23-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanie

I think this might control the barking sprees, but it might also stop the dog from barking period. How sad for the little one to look over at her before it does what comes naturally, then be scared to bark.

Even if she doesnt do it every time it barks, like you said, pretty soon I would think he would be just too scared to bark at all.

I agree. I do NOT believe in training methods that would make my precious babies ever afraid of me! I believe FIRMLY in the praise and reward method and it has always worked for me. I would NEVER forgive myself if my babies were ever scared of me.

SnowWa · 12-24-2005, 10:10 AM

I thought I came back to this thread - but I guess not.

I started this thread and need to mention some things again.

The puppy is not afraid of the Binanca. It does not hurt him in any way -- he just does not like the taste of it.

The Binanca was not used everytime the pup barked ---only those times when the little guy wanted to bark his head off for a long time.

As far as looking around to see if he's being watched before he starts barking his head off -- my pup looks around to see if I'm watching before he pees on the carpet. My other dog always checks to see if I'm watching before she buries anything. (She doesn't want me to know where it is.) Remember these little guys are smart.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
I do NOT believe in training methods that would make my precious babies ever afraid of me! I believe FIRMLY in the praise and reward method and it has always worked for me. I would NEVER forgive myself if my babies were ever scared of me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry - but I think this is a little overreacting -- a little spray of mouth wash does not make the dog afraid or hurt him in any way ...it is just something he doesn't like the taste of.

I see how a lot of people respond to their dog's barking. I think a little spray of something harmless they don't like the taste of is quicker and kinder than what many people resort to in the first place.

AND - most importantly -this woman's little dog was only trained this way when he was a pup. She said it worked, and he has become a good little dog that doesn't bark a lot.....still barks, of course, but not a lot.

I'm not considering doing this with my pup because todate, he doesn't bark very often. I just thought it might help with some of you who say you're going crazy with your dog's barking all the time. And, I agree, that wouldn't be much fun!!!!

Carol Jean

Kim O. · 12-26-2005, 05:35 AM

What's a clicker? (I am new to all of this with my first dog!)

FirstYorkie · 12-26-2005, 06:11 AM

I see how a lot of people respond to their dog's barking. I think a little spray of something harmless they don't like the taste of is quicker and kinder than what many people resort to in the first place.

Couldn't agree with you more on that one! It's also better than banishing a barker outdoors (or rehoming him).

It's still an aversive, though. I prefer to try positive methods. You asked for opinions - that's mine.

12-22-2005, 07:47 PM	#1
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,991	Barking - what do you think about this??? I met a lady at the Vets with a little breed that is known for barking - and mentioned to her that she probably has a little barker on her hands. She said she didn't because she had a good trainer and her dog almost never barked. Well OF COURSE -- I asked her what her trainer did. She said he had her get some Binaca breath spray and spray the little dog's mouth (only the mouth) whenever it started on a barking spree (not every time it barked). She said we use Binaca ourselves and know what it is like. It is totally harmless (especially the small amount you have to use with a puppy) but a little strong, and definitely something that puppies do not like the taste of. Anyway she said she sprayed her pup whenever it decided to go on a barking spree and it quickly stopped the pup from doing that. In fact, before the dog starts barking now, she said it looks around to see if she and the binaca are in sight. And, if it sees her watching, it stays as quiet as a little mouse. Just wondered what you thought! PS -- The vet heard this and thought it was a "clever idea" ---especially since it seems to work. __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.

12-22-2005, 07:50 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,832	I've heard of doing that. It would be the same thing as using bitter apple spray and putting a small amount in the pup's mouth when the bark. I think the key would be knowing when to use it and when not to use it, because I would never want a dog that was afraid to bark. I guess I'm lucky with Kacee, because she seldom barks. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

12-24-2005, 10:10 AM	#8
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,991	I thought I came back to this thread - but I guess not. I started this thread and need to mention some things again. The puppy is not afraid of the Binanca. It does not hurt him in any way -- he just does not like the taste of it. The Binanca was not used everytime the pup barked ---only those times when the little guy wanted to bark his head off for a long time. As far as looking around to see if he's being watched before he starts barking his head off -- my pup looks around to see if I'm watching before he pees on the carpet. My other dog always checks to see if I'm watching before she buries anything. (She doesn't want me to know where it is.) Remember these little guys are smart. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I do NOT believe in training methods that would make my precious babies ever afraid of me! I believe FIRMLY in the praise and reward method and it has always worked for me. I would NEVER forgive myself if my babies were ever scared of me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry - but I think this is a little overreacting -- a little spray of mouth wash does not make the dog afraid or hurt him in any way ...it is just something he doesn't like the taste of. I see how a lot of people respond to their dog's barking. I think a little spray of something harmless they don't like the taste of is quicker and kinder than what many people resort to in the first place. AND - most importantly -this woman's little dog was only trained this way when he was a pup. She said it worked, and he has become a good little dog that doesn't bark a lot.....still barks, of course, but not a lot. I'm not considering doing this with my pup because todate, he doesn't bark very often. I just thought it might help with some of you who say you're going crazy with your dog's barking all the time. And, I agree, that wouldn't be much fun!!!! Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.

12-26-2005, 05:35 AM	#9
Kim O. Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somerset, TX Posts: 5	What's a clicker? (I am new to all of this with my first dog!) __________________ Kim O.

12-22-2005, 07:52 PM	#3
Yorkie Mum YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewhere land Posts: 364	I know others will say try cans of pennies but the puppy will be watching for that just as fast as the spray. I try putting him on a clicker and walking by when it is quite click and drop a treat and keep on going. It will start to wonder why it is getting a treat and look for a way to get more. if it starts barking toss a ball and see if it will pause long enough to look and click the silence and treat. Joy

12-22-2005, 07:55 PM	#4
Lanie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MS Posts: 128	I think this might control the barking sprees, but it might also stop the dog from barking period. How sad for the little one to look over at her before it does what comes naturally, then be scared to bark. Even if she doesnt do it every time it barks, like you said, pretty soon I would think he would be just too scared to bark at all.

12-26-2005, 06:11 AM	#10
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I see how a lot of people respond to their dog's barking. I think a little spray of something harmless they don't like the taste of is quicker and kinder than what many people resort to in the first place. Couldn't agree with you more on that one! It's also better than banishing a barker outdoors (or rehoming him). It's still an aversive, though. I prefer to try positive methods. You asked for opinions - that's mine.