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Originally Posted by ladyjane  As for these devices, I think the key is to say a word such as STOP or QUIET whenever you use the thing. That way they associate a command from you.... Just my thoughts on it. |
The couple of times I used it, I said the word no. Beanie is pretty smart and knows when I say NO, it means to stop what she is doing (except it didn't work with the barking - just made her worse ). At first, I would say no and have to start to reach into my purse to get the Bark Genie for her to stop. I also used to carry it around with me and just point it at her (without using it) and she would stop. Now all I have to do is say no and she stops. I don't even bother to take it with me anymore because just saying no is enough. Then I praise her (like she won the freakin Noble Peace Prize) and I might give her a little piece of a treat if I have them with me.
I am just so happy that I found something that worked because it just got so bad!
One day we were driving in the car and stopped at a red light and a car pulled up with a little kid in it who looked over and saw Beanie sitting in her little bucket. He was like mommy, mommy, look at the cute doggie. Well my dog took a look at him and went NUTS barking her head off and almost trying to jump out the window (she is clipped in and can't do that - but if she wasn't she would have!). She loves kids and just wanted to go and see him, but didn't know HOW to behave because her anxiety level was getting so high. Anyway, the kid starts screaming, the mother asks me what is wrong with my dog and ME for "letting" her act like that. Needless to say, I was mortified, really mad at Beanie and just at my wit's end.
A couple of days after this, I saw the Bark Genie and figured I might as well try it as nothing else I tried worked. Thankfully, it did work for me and I don't even have to use it anymore. And, I can now enjoy our walks and her being my little "co-pilot" every day in the car.