Insane barking when she hears or sees people - devices don't work!
 

Soo I bought this bark repeller and at first it seemed to work just fine. I even told others about it on here and everything and recommended it. What I'd do is I'd have it at least 3+ feet away and when I pressed it and said NO BARKING she kind of cowered down to the ground like she was afraid of the noise. It didn't seem much like positive reinforcement, but she cannot be allowed outside barking at everyone she sees (it's not aggressive but it startles a lot of people especially since I live in FL where there is a lot of elderly around). It worked for a few weeks like this to make her stop barking.

So anyway, all the sudden the repeller didn't have much effect when she gets in what I call her "frenzy". Sometimes her barking is easy to stop and she doesn't seem like she's all that worked up. But OTHER times she gets really loud barking and jumping up and down and it is very hard to get her attention. This is what I call her "frenzy". Sometimes she doesn't even move like she heard it or anything.

So basically I don't know what to do. I tried the device as described, I tried squirting water which she runs away from but keeps barking still, she only listens to command when not in a "frenzy". She sometimes will sit when I tell her to in any situation but still barks. Also tried other loud noise things like whistles, coins, etc.

What can I do?? I have read some people mention about maybe an anxiety problem. What should I try to do better? More time of the day for training? What should I try when she is barking in her frenzy? Right now what seems to work half the time more than anything else is grabbing her by hear "beard" and forcing her to look at me (this doesn't hurt them at all, we have to use this sometimes at grooming to make sure the dogs don't jerk their heads and get hurt by scissors or clippers) and then I say No Barking!! And only sometimes she listens, or you can tell she knows she's not supposed to and does like half-way barking but still continues on and on...

I'm at a loss. Right now can't afford to go to a trainer, but want to help my baby! Please help :(

I'm going through the same episode with my maltese. I learned that when she's not in frenzy and start barking I say QUIET and then rattle her treat bag (that get's her attention). When she quiets down I give her a treat. It's been a few weeks and I see her catching on, when she barks I don't always say quiet she on her own stops and looks at me like "when are you going to say quiet for my treat".
It doesn't always work but it's getting there.

Good Luck!! and if you finally find the trick please let me know:p

The problem is I recently find that Lolli has a sort of IBD and I can't give her treats anymore. I made a post asking if there is a healthy sort of treat I could make or something like that. So for now there's no treats. Maybe I can use some bits of her regular food and sort of trick her. I'm not sure if it'll work but I could try.

I've never done this before, and I'm a newbie here, but I've read one of the ways to stop barking is to "teach" your dog to bark. Once you teach it to bark you can teach it to stop.

Now, as far as the teaching to bark part goes I haven't got a clue.

I was told by a trainer if you can give a treat do it when she's quiet and say quiet, as the other poster said. I'll bet if you just call your vet and ask about treats they will give you some free advice.

I don't know if you have the same kind as I got, but mine says hold no closer than 6 feet away, that's the closest! This is a training aid, and it emits a loud noise, if the noise is too aversive, you dogs will bark more. Also, many people hold it down for too long, it should be no more than 2 seconds, and I hold it less than a second. After every bark, you should press it once, and I find hand signals to be more effective, and I put my fingers to my lips in a shushing fashion. When using an aid such as this, it is so important to following directions carefully or you will increase barking instead of reducing it.

I also think occasionally adding a small treat and praising the dog after being quiet is a good idea. Treats don't have to be bad things they can be healthy food, in fact that's all we use.

Also, you will not eliminate barking, that's not the goal, the goal is to stop barking after a short amount of time.

I would have to agree as well. Pebbles listens when I have used the Bark Repeller and it is very effective in controlling her barking. My son not knowing how to properly use it tried and help the button for much longer than the 2 seconds and she went crazy!

Are you sure the battery is still working? Is the light coming on when you press the button?

The one thing that I noticed with Pebbles is that I do not have to press the button very often to quiet her. She will stop and then I always praise and pick you up which really seems to work. I have a feeling that you overused the device and are not having undesirable results.

Wow you guys had a way of making me feel kind of "attacked" here.. Yes, the battery still works as I've barely used the device before she stopped responding to it and the batteries brand new. The light comes on. Unless for some reason the light works but it isn't emanating noise.. But I think it is working because she gets a startled look for a moment when it is pressed then continues back to her barking... She responded to the noise and my command for like 1 or 2 weeks but now she just disregards the noise completely but on occasion will listen to command, just not really.

I use the Pet Parade one I got it off Amazon someone here had posted a link before but I forget who. The instructions says to not go closer than 1 foot. I just checked my package (I kept instructions) and it says "Do not use on humans or within 1 foot of a pet." But I don't really understand that whole comment because I did say I am usually about 3+ feet away so... ???

I have never held the button down for any length of time because I am afraid it will be detriment to her ears. I just click it once and say the command. But thanks for assuming I do not know how to use a button!

Just want people to understand that just because something works for you doesn't mean it will work for everyone and it doesn't mean they are incapable of using things appropriately. I have spent the past 1 or 2 months trying to get her to not bark with this device to no avail and have since tried other things before I got this and now after as it's effectiveness just went away. It was only effective for a short time and I didn't change the length of time I hold the button or anything of the nature. She just seems stubborn and doesn't want to listen to the device.

So the solution I think is not with these type of devices, for me, and need to take some other measure. I just do not know what else I could do as I do not have much experience with a frenzied barker before. And was hoping that someone could shed some light on another solution besides this bark repeller.

You know, it's really hard to write an answer to these threads, I really tried hard not to write in a way that would make you feel bad, I'm sorry you feel attacked, that was not my intention. Yours is a different kind that I got, so I can't offer any advice. Mine was called the "Barking Repeller", and said do not use any closer than 6 feet from the dog, and you can use it 25 feet away. All I know is that if it's too strong you will agitate the dog more.

I really do not understand why you would feel attacked :confused: All I did was try to offer advice as I have a similar device. As Nancy said the BARK REPELLER had specific instructions not to use it within 6 feet. You only clarified that you had a different type of deterrent in the above post. We both gave you a response and were trying to be helpful with a few suggestions. As for the comment about the battery~just the other day I was trying to turn on a lamp, changed the light bulb and then my husband turned on the wall switch~so crazy things do happen. Sorry that you took offense :confused:

Good luck with whatever you decide to try next. Sorry I was not of any help to your situation.

It is more or less that I just am frustrated in general because I cannot control this barking and I am at a wits end. I just cannot take it anymore. I am sorry for perhaps taking out of proportion or context. Today was pretty bad as I have been sick and she decides today of all days to be at her worst behavior so perhaps I just had a short nerve. I don't want to purchase more devices and whistles and bells and put coins in cans or play squirt gun with my little one. I, too, am getting an ear ache from all the noises in addition to the barking (I'm joking but you get the idea).

I do appreciate the suggestions and advice so far. It's just that I had the device I believe since December and had been trying to use it until a couple weeks ago where I gave up on it because it didn't seem to be doing much good. I am only seeking alternative measures, because I am also concerned that although she is not barking constantly throughout the day that still someone will complain (I live in a complex). She is a 7 year old rescue so breaking her learned habits is difficult. This is the only one I cannot seem to break through.

I do not know how to address if it is maybe an anxiety issue, I forget who mentioned something about this in another barking post. What are signs? When she barks (and growls/whines), she usually has tail up and curved over her back and not down or between legs. She seems not aggressive at all, but standing her ground. Perhaps territorial? How can I go about to perhaps diagnose and correct a problem such as this?

My little girl also got into a frenzied state of barking quite often. I finally broke down and bought a spray collar (it was hard finding one small enough, but I finally did). Squirting her with water is not the same. I tried that. We are not fast enough for them to fully get it. It's humanly impossible.

I bought the kind that uses lemon. They also have citronella. Worked like a charm. It did not take her long to realize that when the collar was on she did not want to bark. There are times of the day I don't care if she barks her fool head off so I left it off. But in the evenings when the neighbors are settling down (I love in a condo community) it was not OK. I put it on then and for walks.

In only a week I didn't have to use it anymore at all. It's gathering dust on the kitchen counter. On the rare occassion she seems like she may bark out of control, I only have to show t to her. It's been over a month now and life is peaceful.

I don't care if she "talks." She can grumble and bark under her breath all she wants - but she is not allowed to alert the entire neighborhood unless we are in real danger. She finally gets it.:p

It is not my intention for this thread to be hijacked by either you or by me. Seems to me you wrote this for attention.

But, do need to add that I consider spanking the hell out of either a child or a dog abuse. Totally unacceptable and against the law.

I am not going to argue with you, I see enough of child abuse in court with my job. I expect this whole conversation to be removed by Admin, shortly.

Lisa, just walk away...this type of "training" is not acceptable:thumbdown:eek: and I am guessing someone is looking for attention.:eek:

Thanks for the pep talk livingdustmops! :) I think you are correct.

Hope this thread can get back to the original intention of seeking positive help for over barking.

Well thank goodness for Ann...I am not even sure that was a real person but it didn't help.

I know barking can be an issue with Yorkies...they are terriers and this is what they do but hitting is never an option. I have had great luck with a water bottle (from Costco) that has a hard spray on it and all it took was one day for the gang to get the message (I aimed for the butt) and now all I have to do is hold the bottle up...

I worked from home (was on the phone all day) on many occasions so the coins in a can was not an option for me and with anywhere from 6 to 10 dogs I needed silence fairly fast.

I have wondered when people say the spray bottle doesn't work for me is it because it is set on just a fluffy (light) spray level.

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.