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Originally Posted by FirstYorkie This will sound crazy, but this is what's worked for me. Granted, my situation isn't quite to the extreme that your's is, but it's worth a try.
When there is noise going on outside, I make Joey sit and wait at the door. I go out first. ("This might be dangerous. I'm the leader. I'll go first"). I go out, he comes out and barks. I say "yep, I hear strangers over there. It's okay. I'm not worried". Believe it or not, this has drastically reduced his barking.
If he's already outside when the noise starts and he begins barking, I go out and say "What is it, Joey? Oh, strangers next door. Thank you. I hear them". If he keeps barking - "NO! (then more softly) that's enough, I hear them". Once I've acknowledged that I hear what he's concerned about in a way that lets him know that I'm not worried, he will usually settle down.
However, a "NO! Shut up! I said shut up, you little $***!" says to him "gosh, mom's upset. There must REALLY be danger over there. I better try to protect us.".
Try and see. It can't hurt.
I'd probably also try lots of stuffed Kongs to keep them distracted.
Good luck! |
This is great advice and exactly what works at my house. Every day I get notified when the UPS guy arrives across the street, when the school buses arrive/depart, when anyone is walking past the house. A simple, "Thank You, that's enough" is usually enough to quiet down the whole crew.