I think the spray bottle could be a good option. (I certainly taught Piccolo to leave things alone on the coffee table that way.) My two girls are getting somewhat obnoxious with their barking, so think I will get the bottle out again. But, of course, also want to use positive praise and treats for correct behavior.

Yes, and I also agree, thank heavens for Ann!

haha - I liked that last comment I bolded in red :)

I've gotten a couple of private messages from owners wanting to know what collar I used. For some reason it will not allow me to post a reply. (I'm getting very frustrated with this forum and visit less and less often). Anyway, here is the answer for anyone who wants to know:



I bought this one:

http://www.thepetonline.com/images/PBC00-11283.jpg

I did not put it on as tight as recommended. This allowed her to use her inside voice and not go off unless she was really loud., I don't mind her talking, I mind her screaming out of control.

It comes with a full-size can of refill. This was not clear on the box we got, so we purchased one while at he store - we will probably never use it.

She detests the spray collar so much we only have to show it to her now. And that is becoming less and less.

It was quite comical. It would spray her and she's rush in to the living room carpet and start rolling around to wipe it off.

I make no guarantees for your dog, but for Mandy, we live very peacefully... most of the time...now.

I have been using a spray bottle already. I think I said that somewhere. When I use it on her (I spray her back or rear end so not to get her face) all she really does is cower away and move so I don't catch her with it. She's usually still barking all the while unless I sorta corner her and she has to concentrate on not getting sprayed.

Stubborn little princess, but I love her. It's totally territorial and maybe posessive? I know she loves people and loves attention. When she barks at people outside her tail is usually wagging and she wants to run to them for pets and hugs. But she's barking really loud at them.

Spray bottles aren't fast enough for super hyper dogs. I sprayed until mone was literally dripping wet... got the spray collar and life is good. There is a difference.

I have a 15 week old little guy that had just started the barking. He is a happy go lucky guy and he only really does it to me. I am a stay at home mom so I am here most with him. When I am trying to work on things over the past 2 days he stares at me and starts barking loud and will not stop unless I shoo him from the room. I don't want to pick him up or reward that barking. I don't know if there is an easy fix for this. He doesn't do it to strangers or other dogs. He doesn't even do it to my husband or 7 yr old son. I guess he is just wanting some more attention. But I don't want this little guy taking over the house. Any suggestions. I look at him and he sits/lays down tail wagging ready to pounce and play.

I purchased the pet repeller as well and so far I really like it. It does seem to have more of an affect on some than it does others. One of my chi's hates it and will leave the room completely.
I just touch the button for a split second usually to get their attention so I can say stop.
The bad thing about tiny dogs is that they are hard to catch and hard to get your hands on when they are yapping. You don't want to chase them around like a psycho. If they were close to us we could redirect them by hand on something.
One thing I saw on Dog Whisperer was to put the Yorkie on a long lead like 25 ft or so then take them to the area where they most tend to bark.
That way you can actually get hold of the lead and give them a quick correction while you are saying ENOUGH or NO or whatever you say.
I do have good luck with the pet repeller though and it has already made some difference in the way they bark.

When Lexi was a puppy I did too things to control her barking.

The Shaker Can I filled up a can with pennies and would shake the heck out of it every time she barked, while using a stick "No Barking" command. It worked "ok" the main problem is the can wasn't always close by when she started getting crazy and the idea is to interrupt the barking with the loud noise of the can. In my experience, timing is important with this method.

She would mainly go into a barking friendly when I got home from work. So, I would completely ignore her when I got home. I would go lay down on the couch and relax, if she wanted to chill with me she had to be quiet and calm.

If she didn't stop barking, I would ask her if she wanted to go in her Kennel. (she is kennel trained) If she still didn't stop, I would remove her from situation and place her in the kennel. It didn't take her long to realize that if she wanted to be out with her people she had to be quiet.

I did get a friend to lend me one of those citrus collars, but I never even ended up needing it.

I did teach her to speak on command, but then she thought it was ok to speak every time a treat came out.

That is what worked for me, hopefully you'll find a method that works for you before you go crazy.

Ask the vet if you can use boil chicken as treat. There fast learners, and yes they will grunt and snarl under their breath, too funny.