I have been using the water bottle like "sheshark" said for my dog's barking for the last week and rewarding him when he settles down. There's actually been significant improvement! Not so much when we're outside and he's around other animals, but definitely at home.

I just bought a bunch of squirt guns today so I can take them with me when we go out as well, since the bottle is big and awkward to carry. I do worry about the stream from the toy squirt gun being a little too strong though, in case it gets him in the eyes or something. Does anyone have any experience with squirt guns?

I think the vinegar solution is suggested only for for spraying on things that you don't want them to chew. But not actually squirting on the dog. It could definitely get in their eyes and hurt them or cause harm.

Thanks for this detailed post.

I have been using a similar type of bottle used for spraying plants and we're definitely making some improvement. His barking has gotten much better at home and he's learned "off" and "play nice". Still a work in progress though.

I bought some squirt guns today to take with us when we go out, because he still barks continuously at people and other dogs until they start paying attention to him. The stream on the guns might be a little too strong, though. I don't want to poke his eye out with a jet stream. Do you have any experience with these guns?

He also doesn't mind his kennel. He knows that it's a place to sleep and now that he's finally completely pee pad trained *knock on wood* I can leave him roaming free on his own when I'm out. But at night, he sleeps in his kennel. He's quiet when he goes in and I think he understands that it's his bed and quiet place.

I'm going to try attaching him to my hip like you said when we go for walks and see what happens. He still drags, so we need a solution for that.

Thank you again for this post. It's very helpful information :)

I am right there with you "Punkie"!
 

I have a Yorkie, Bailey, who is 2.5 years old and absolutely the most annoying dog! For the first year or so of her life, she always became overly submissive, rolled on her back, and peed when someone even looked like they might interact with her. She seems to have grown out of that, but has a million other issues. Mot of the time, she is ridiculously submissive to people and other animals. But, there are occassions where she is the complete oppositie and viciously dominant to other dogs. My aunt also has a Yorkie, Elvis, who is very well behaved. I took Bailey over there to stay the weekend. She pounced on Elvis, knocked him on his back, held him down, and snarled so vicously I thought she might try to kill him. I had never seen her do that before.

When it's just me and my husband at home, she is sweet as can be, and calm.

I made the mistake of initially training her as a puppy with pee pads. Now she thinks that any sort of rug, carpet, or mat is a pad to be peed on. I luckily have hard wood floors. Otherwise, I am certain she would pee all over carpet. I had to block off the basement because there IS carpet down there and she keeps going potty down there. How do I break her of thinking she can pee on carpets and mats??

On top of that, there is one spot behind my couch where she keeps going potty. Over and over, no matter what I do. It's ruining my wood floors. I have tried making sure to get the smell out of the wood, but that's hard to do. Tried using repellant. Tried blocking off the area, but it's impractical and she just goes as close as she can get to that spot. Tried discipline with a firm voice and holding her there in front of it.

I have a doggy door which she does use quite regulary, but she almost refuses to go out if it's raining or dark out. Some times even during a bright sunny day she won't go out, but will go in the house.

So I try crating her at night and she makes this high pitched screetching noise ALL NIGHT long. She sounds like some sort of loud bird. And she wines and barks. My husband and I can't stand it. I have tried using a water spray bottle when she does that, but it does no good. She just keeps doing it.

She is also psycho like Punkie's dog. If she even thinks for one second that there is someone at the door, she runs to it, jumps all around, scratches at the door, wiggles uncontrollably, barks, yips, screetches, cries. And let me tell you, not that I would, but I seriously think you could kick her across the room and she would come right back and keep doing it. I try to be nice about it, I try yelling, I try a spray bottle, try rolled up newspaper, I try having people ignore her when they come in, even try treats, she just won't stop no matter what. And she absolutely ignores me. It's like I am not even there.

I take her roller blading in hopes that it will help calm her down. The whole way she scretches and freaks out about people and dogs.

She goes crazy in the car. She cries and cries and cries. Tried crating her in the car, holding her, letting her look out the window, treats, and it doesn't stop. My family and I go camping a lot and we can't take her. My parents can't stand her.

Now let me tell you this. I have worked with dog trainers. I used to work for the humane society and I still volunteer there. I used to have a 145lb mastiff that was so well behaved and trained. I could roller blade with him without worrying about the fact that he weighed more then I do. He knew hand commands, voice commands, and implied commands. I crate trained him too.

I have also read Ceasar's Way (very good book by the way).

So, I do have experience and have successfully trained other dogs. I can completely understand Punkie's feeling of last resort. I do not believe in shock collars, but when you get to the point that you feel there is no hope, you have tried everything that is in your power, and the only alternative is getting rid of her or trying a shock collar... the shock collar looks like a much better alternative then getting rid of her. I would love to hire a private trainer, but it's expensive and I can't afford it right now. Bailey is the same way, you take her to a training class and she will just act like a crazy dog. You can't get her to focus AT ALL.

She used to be allowed on the furniture, but I have been making her stay down. Trying to change her habits. But she just keeps getting back up there. I must make her get down 100 times a day.

The other thing I don't get is that she knows peeing in the house is bad. As soon as she does it, she cowers and avoids me, before I even notice it. She will run and hide under the couch. She recently started this thing where if I ask her nicely to come out from under the couch, she wont. If I kneel down to look under the couch she growls at me. If I reach in there, she tries to mangle my hand. She has never done this before and it's terrible. I have NEVER had an aggressive dog so I don't know what to do about this.

I'm at at my wits end too. I have looked at the shock collars. I feel like she is far too little, but at the same time... I see collars for small dogs with pictures of little rat terriers on them. I have never agreed with them, but I feel like "What else can I do that I haven't already done?":confused: My father-in-law uses a remote shock collar on his black lab puppy and it's working extremely well. She used to be a wild dog too, but she listens now and does everything he tells her to.

I had also looked at those citranella spray collars and wondered if they work, but it sounds like they don't. They also have sonic (sound wave) collars and I am wondering if those work. I thought about trying those first. Petsmart will let you return them before 30 days if you see no improvement.

So tell me, is there something I am missing here?? I have been so close to giving her up for adoption and I don't believe in that either. I belive you get an animal for life. Not for as long as it's convenient. So that should tell you how far she has pushed me.

Maybe it IS my fault... something I am doing wrong. I have tried to analyze what I am doing and can't figure out what else to change. Ugh. :(

Wow, it sounds like you have your hands full too. Milo used to be the exact same way for the first 8-9 months of his life. Just incredibly submissive and would roll over for anyone and dogs and he'd pee himself if someone even looked at him. That passed, although he is still submissive with other dogs and he's pretty friendly all around except for the barking. He barks to get attention. If there's a new person or a dog around and they're not paying attention to him, he'll bark uncontrollably. I think this is my fault entirely though, for not teaching him that this is wrong when he was a puppy. I'm especially beginning to realize that now that I have been spending a lot of time with him and really trying to train him.

Thankfully he's never been aggressive, but he does like to play-bite. I'm trying really hard to get him out of that habit. When he puts his teeth on my skin, I make a loud noise to get his attention and tell him "play nice." If he stops, then I give him lots of praise, tell him he's a good boy and keep playing. If he continues, I stop playing with him and ignore him for a little while. This seems to be working. I think he's really beginning to understand and now stops most of the time when I say "play nice."

Milo is pee pad trained too and I had the same problems as you do. I had to block off my bedroom with a puppy gate because it has carpet and he kept going on it. He also kept going on the kitchen rug until I removed it. He was also peeing on the legs of the couch and the TV stand. My hard wood is pretty much wrecked because of him. So, I'll tell you what I did. The repellent did nothing for me. I ended up cleaning the wood and then spraying lots and lots of this vinegar, alcohol and lemon juice mixture I made on it and he hasn't gone in those areas since. Just make sure she can't smell the pee on the wood. When I saw him go on his pee pad, he got tons of praise and his favourite treats. If I saw him go anywhere else, I held him to show him what he did and scared him as much as I could and he'd run away. I also crated him at night and as soon as I let him out in the morning, I would take him to the pee pad and say "go pee pee" over and over again. If he left the pee pad, I'd put him back on it and repeat "go pee pee." After a while he eventually went and when he did he got tons of praise again (I'd tell him "good boy, pee pee," lol) and his favourite treats. After a while of repeating this over and over ever day, now I put him on the pad and say "go pee pee" and he goes right away. He hasn't had accidents in almost a month, which makes me just ecstatic! It also means that I don't have to crate or x-pen him when I'm out of the house. The last "accident" was when I stayed over at a friend's place and when I came back in the morning, he had gone on the kitchen tile, but I think that was out of spite for leaving him alone all night. :p

I tried something new with him today. I was playing with him on the couch this morning and I put him on the ground and said "go pee pee" so he ran to the laundry room where his pee pad is and went pee. That's my biggest accomplishment with him so far, but it took a long time. But I still don't let him into the bedroom where there's carpet and I haven't put the kitchen rug back down. When he was little, he didn't realize he could go to the bathroom outside, so I'd have to put napkins down on the ground to make him realize it was the bathroom. Now when I take him out, he goes pee, but won't go poo. He'll wait until he gets home and then does it on his pee pad. That doesn't really bother me though. As long as he's not doing it where he isn't supposed to, I'm good to go.

When Bailey screams in the crate at night, do you guys give her attention? Milo used to do that when he was a puppy and it was so loud! There was no way we could sleep like that. So I'd take his crate into the bathroom and close the door (so I couldn't hear him) and turn the lights off and go to bed. Eventually he realized that the screaming wouldn't get him attention and now he's quiet in his crate.

Milo still barks when he hears someone at the door. We live in a condo, so he hears people getting on and off the elevator or something. I can't even hear it, but he does and he starts barking. So, I spray him with water and that helps, but at first he'd run away when I sprayed him and then I'd chase him around trying to get him and he'd hide under furniture and not come out, etc... He thought it was a game. So I took the advice of ScootieBootie on here, who told me to "wear my dog" which meant attaching him to me at all times, so he couldn't run away from me. I used one of those flexi leads and put it on my belt: Flexi Elegance Belt Leash - Collars, Leads & Tags - PetSmart

I don't use those outside because they don't give me a lot of control but for this purpose, it was perfect! After getting the squirt and realizing that he couldn't get away, he's starting to run away much less now and the barking at home has improved significantly. Outside is another story since he barks at everything that moves. I just bought some squirt guns to take them on walks with me now that the weather is nice and he'll dry quickly. But I haven't used them yet. Hopefully they'll work.

Milo also HATES the car! When he realizes he's going int he car, he stops walking and I can drag him all I want or bribe him with treats, he won't even see them. He just doesn't know what to do with himself. He's quiet but shakes constantly and looks like he's having a heart attack. When I take him in his hard crate, he throws up. If I take him without the crate, he freaks out and tries to jump all over the place. I just got him a Sherpa bag because we're going to be travelling soon and he does better in that one. But still the car is a challenge. I don't really know what to do about it either.

I used to have a great dane and just like your mastiff, he was the most well behaved dog ever. I think it's something about the terrier personality that makes them hard to train. They're like little dogs from hell. I should pick up Ceasar's Way. Thanks for mentioning that.

It sounds like she's got you pretty frustrated. I decided to return my shock collar before using it because it seemed a bit harsh when I tried it on my skin and the suggestions that were made on here started to work, but you know your dog best. You decide whatever you think is best for you and her. It doesn't matter if people tell you that you're mean or it's wrong. They're not the ones dealing with a crazy dog day and night.

It really does take a long time and a whole lot of patience to try and break their habits though. It's like trying to teach them that everything they have come to know as acceptable behaviour is now wrong. The "wearing the dog" thing really does help though. That way you can catch them right away whether they're doing something right or wrong and act accordingly. Don't give up hope, it'll work out in the end. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide. Let us know how it works out. :)

good book on training called.....LET THE DOG DECIDE:):)

Hey there! Yikers, lol. You are having issues with your little one, eh?

Ok, as far as the walking goes....drag him/her. I know it sounds bad....but they are going for a walk with YOU and YOU are leading the way. If my pup ever just up and lay down or whatever....I don't even turn around...I just keep walkin' along and he/she will have to pick up the pace. It won't take long and the little one will catch on that it is YOUR pace..not his/hers.

Oh...the barking at people/things outside. Mine doesn't do this much but I imagine what I would do is stop....get down to her level and hold her straight to my face and say NO NO NO very fimrly.....then keep on going...drag her if you must. Do this for the entire walk. I know it will feel embarrassing....but you need to show her that YOU are the boss...not her/him.

These little buggers are diffictult, eh?

OMG, you are funny!!!!! I need to try this with my babie, she HATES to walk she just sits there or lays down until I have to pick her up....Ummm she is such a stubborn little one too!!!!

Ha. Well, I know it will look terrible....but I can honestly say that in the beginning of having her and taking her for walks...I did this and we can now go walking with NO issues. Even my kids did it and it doesn't take long and the pup just gives up on having their way and being dragged and picks up the pace.

Mine is having house potty issues and I will be tying her to my belt for a week or two straight and I will use the same mentality....my pace...my direction....keep up or be dragged. Lol.

I know it "sounds" mean but really it is showing them who is the boss. I'm not "pissin'" around smelling ever blinkin' blade of grass while I am out for a walk...I'll allow a couple of stops if I believe she needs to potty. If I do stop and she is smelling and clearly not doing her business....I start walking and she will now hop along rather than be dragged. She learnt and all is good. Ha.

I wouldn't want to be shocked whenever I do something that displeases someone, would you?? I have always had dogs to love, and shocking them, to me isn't love. Patience and perserverance on the part of the owner is key to the dog's behaviour. I have a very
headstrong and at times, wild female Yorkie. BUT at three years old, she is beginning to
listen and obey. She has also become more loving than ever since she has calmed down.
One thing we did to give her an outlet for her energy is create a fenced yard inside our big fenced yard just for her to run free...chase lizards and birds and squirrels. Its helped
immensely.

Wow, I have read every single post regarding the training issues that people have been experiencing. I just want to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge and expertise. I have also been experiencing problems with Abbey.......although, thankfully, not to the extent that some have been having. I do spend quite a bit of time with her trying to be patient and consistant as she can be really sassy and stubborn. I know that I'm not alone and that I can come here for advice. Everyone here should be commended for taking the time and for playing such an important role in this forum! You all are very much appreciated! Thank you!

LOL, that will be embarrassing as hell, but I will try it. The thing that worries me is dragging him when he doesn't walk and hurting him or scraping his paws on pavement or something. But I will try it anyway and see what happens.
I started using a squirt gun at home when he barks and he is much better now. I'm going to try taking it out on walks as well now that the weather is nice and hopefully that will help too.
Thanks for the advice!

Yes, that worried me as well...but no problems at all....cause they don't like it and soon just start jogging, lol. It won't take much of it.

Yup, the "scolding" in public will be a little embarrassing for the first bit....try just going around your own block using that tactic the first few times...then venture further away.

I know you must be very :confused: right now... From what Ive read, you have been trying the best you know how. Some people make it seem so easy, but indeed it can be very hard. Its really easy for a person to say "read this book" or "read that book"... but, not everyones situation or dog temperment is the same. I really hope that you are able to find a solution that works best for you and your dog :)

OK I only got to page two on the responses to this. It is not torture to use a shock collar.

My Teddy the love of my life wears one all the time. He is just over three and if I take it off he barks even in his sleep. I do know how to train a dog and have been around dogs for over 50 years including breeding. Some times there is no other choice.


Teddy doesn't bark with the collar on with it off he will bark non stop.

I would not use it on a Yorkie under 8 LBS as it would be to strong for them Teddy is around 16 lbs and it is fine.

My little Chelsey at just over 5 lbs barks alot but her bark is nothing like Teddys barking I can live with it. And it is not constant.

I really hate when people are way to opinionated and say things like it is torture, I find this offensive!!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad: