[SirTeddykins]

Much like yorkietalkjilly (who is so amazing and right on w/advice) has said above, I read some research yesterday about dogs going through a second 'fear phase' at around a year and a half.


Teddy is around the same age and, although always anxious, some days are worse than others. However, over all he has improved immensely after lots of training which involved me not allowing him to bark inappropriately. For example, when everyone (but me) leaves the house on Monday's, he would be anxious until they returned since he'd hung out with them all weekend. So, he'd bark at the click of the thermostat, the mail, people talking outside, the phone etc. The barking would decline when everyone returned in the evening as well as when the next weekend would approach. However, it was so annoying and nerve wracking M-Thursday that I had to figure something out!


So, the only thing that worked for me was telling him QUIET when he barked at the above mentioned things and praising him/giving him treats when he stopped barking. This has taken a few months but there has been a major improvement.


I think he has benefited from realizing that he does not need to be so alert to every noise because I control the environment. These dogs are alert, by nature, so I believe that if they feel that someone is not controlling things - they will take the lead and they lead by barking.


I haven't used bark collars or anything else.. I've just used my voice and some organic treats which have worked great. BUT, I have had to be patient. Whoever said raising kids was hard never had a dog..ha!