YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - What training methods can be safely used for excessive barking at residental sounds?

Milo'sMommy · 03-24-2007, 04:58 PM

Someone told me to use keys, similar to the coins in a soda can. When Milo started getting in the habit of barking I tossed the keys next to him (not AT him!)...it scared him a lot though. Ever since, when he barks all I have to do is take the keys out of my bag and he will stop. Oddly enough when I take the keys out of my bag when he is NOT barking, he's not frightened of them. He distinguishes between the 2 purposes somehow... them be some smart doggies

Also, when they are in that growling stage, like before they are going to bark at someone outside, I just say 'no' very sternly, and the second he stops I say 'good boy,' then 'NO' again if starts again, etc, etc. You end up sounding like sybil, but I think its a common fault on our part to try to soothe them when they are upset/barking, which only reinforces the undesired behavior.

03-24-2007, 04:58 PM	#6
Milo'sMommy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 14	Someone told me to use keys, similar to the coins in a soda can. When Milo started getting in the habit of barking I tossed the keys next to him (not AT him!)...it scared him a lot though. Ever since, when he barks all I have to do is take the keys out of my bag and he will stop. Oddly enough when I take the keys out of my bag when he is NOT barking, he's not frightened of them. He distinguishes between the 2 purposes somehow... them be some smart doggies Also, when they are in that growling stage, like before they are going to bark at someone outside, I just say 'no' very sternly, and the second he stops I say 'good boy,' then 'NO' again if starts again, etc, etc. You end up sounding like sybil, but I think its a common fault on our part to try to soothe them when they are upset/barking, which only reinforces the undesired behavior. __________________ Milo's dogster page Let's be pals!!