Yup. :( *sigh* and then I look over and see a perfectly well behaved QUIET little doggie right next to my screaming mimi.

Neutering has nothing to do with it. Training and patience does. Also, in a situation out of your control, walk or drive away.

Joey's good around the house, I've used pennies in a can to train him, but when I take him out, he's horrible. If people would leave him alone he'd be fine, but they insist on coming up to him and placing their hand on the top of his head, and he barks madly at them. In a way, I don't blame him. We've been taking him to stores since he was a puppy, and he's still pretty good when we go to Petsmart, the people there seem to know how to approach him, they offer their hand first, instead of just reaching out and touching him. I wish I had some suggestions, I don't know how to handle this. I try redirection, you know getting him interested in something else and walking him fast, but I don't think I'll ever turn him into a "therapy" dog. People tell me that he's just trying to protect me, so maybe I'm not as alpha as I think I am. By the way, I don't think this has anything with neutering either, he's been neutered, and we've tried our best to socialize him. This is my only problem with him.

Yes! I can't win with people. Maximo is like Uni, he has a powerful voice, and he knows it. I have had many people tell me that he is the loudest Yorkie they have ever heard.

If I use Cesar methods, people are horrified. If I ignore Max, people are annoyed.

So many people we meet always bonk Maximo on the head, rub in circles, or do some sort of Three Stooges routine, nearly sticking fingers in his eyes.

Like you, I can't decide if my guy thinks he is protecting me.

LOL sorry, this was very funny to me! :p

Well I was the one who mentioned the s/n thing. I was only putting it out there as a *maybe* b/c Uni is not yet spayed, and I notice when she is in heat she is more vocal, clingy, barky, etc. I guess it's all the smells during that time that is driving her more crazy. I have heard before that spaying calms some animals down, but not in all cases. I'm hoping that's what will happen with Uni, but who knows.

You would really laugh if I could capture Maximo's facial expression on film. He looks like he is thinking, "Why must I suffer these fools. Oh, the indignity." :D

Lol, sounds so much like Joey!

Uni loves attention from people and doesn't mind them coming up to her. I think maybe the reason for her screaming is b/c I don't take her to say hi to every person within a half mile radius in 2 seconds or less. Come to think of it, maybe that's why not many people approach us while we are out. She is screaming, and I always look like I am frowning. Trust me, I'm not upset. *That's just my face!*

I was wondering about Uni, since she's meeting people every day in your store and she sounds like she's very good with them, so it's just when you take her some place else?

It's mostly when we go to petco. I could never sneak her in anywhere that doesn't allow animals, she's a dead giveaway. Sometimes at a park if she hasn't been there many times, or if we are in an unfamiliar neighborhood she'll be very loud.

At the shop if she is being ignored by someone that was previously playing with her, she will bark. Or if she's behind the showcase, and the customer is on the other side, she will whine and bark. Don't know why though, b/c I never told her she had to wait to greet someone. So I tell her to go around, then she will go around and greet them.

She can also sense when people don't like dogs, she'll go up to them and not get much of a response from them, she'll leave them alone. with those people she is quiet. She literally has this look on her face, like "well f you too then." LOL

I have tried everything!!
 

I am almost ashamed to even post this!! I have tried EVERYTHING with Lily to get her to stop her LOUD HIGH PITCHED HORRIBLE BARKING!! She will be 2 yrs old in March and she is so good about most things but the barking is something I just can't seem to get her to stop!! We have been to the Petsmart classes and I have tried water bottles, coins in a can, whistles, you name it I have tried it!! NOTHING helps!! She barks at the TV so bad that we can't watch it sometimes!! That sounds crazy to have a 3# dog in that much control but she just won't STOP!! I have bought the sonic things and used the rolled up newspaper, tried ignoring her, put her in the crate, treats?? It is embarrassing to say the least!! She gets on my nerves so I know she gets on other peoples nerves!! She has been spayed. I don't know what to do with her!!

Too funny! I swear Yorkies are the most expressive dogs.

We have an acquaintance who is always making comments implying that Maximo is not friendly, perhaps even a little dull in the head. I want so badly to tell this person that the problem is Maximo could give a "bleep" about him, and that is why Max stands around with a vacant look on his face whenever the person is around.

Actually it's easier to teach at home, because you don't have to worry about annoying others. Using different types of punishment each time is not a good way to teach them. The punishment needs to be slightly aversive. It's also good if the punishment is the same type of stimulus as their response. For example, a loud noise is similar to barking. That's why I like pennies in a can. I had to find a special tin can that was louder than the aluminum soda cans some people use. Those Christmas tins are thick enough they produce a fairly loud sound. You could also use air horn blowers. You want to find something that is more aversive to them then their barking. The trick is to make the noise after very bark, and don’t get angry or agitated, they can feel your nerves, so if you get angry or agitated they get even more agitated, and will bark longer. You have to make the noise after every bark, and most people let the dog make the final noise, and this is a huge mistake. The first few times you do this he may bark 50 or a 100 times, each time he's won in the past has reinforced him to bark longer. Truthfully, I think I'd find something that made a louder noise if he continued to bark after 10 times, and you don't want to be screaming and shouting "no" when you make the noise. You should say "No" calmly, and make the noise. He should look slightly startled, and you should repeat after every bark. It's harder to do pennies in a can in the store; I guess I feel too much like I'm bothering other people. The best way to train at home is to choose a night when you are not really into the TV program, and choose something that you know he'll bark at. Keep the aversive noisemaker close to you, so you are ready to make the noise when he barks. The first night will be the hardest. I don't use the can when the doorbell rings, or when Joey actually has something to bark at, only at frivolous barks, such as someone walking in the park outside our window. By the way, I found a video of how to make a homemade air blower out of a film can, balloon, and straw.