We've got a barker on our hands... Our 3-year-old Yorkie, Samson, is starting to become a real barker. He is completely fine on walks and mostly ignores other dogs that bark at him. However, when he is in his on home (and sees a person/dog/animal out the front door or windows) he barks like crazy! No one likes to have a dog - big or small - barking at them. I don't know how to stop him. We moved into our house in November. Before that, we lived on a second floor condo that faced the courtyard, so he didn't really see many people or animals. He would bark once in a while, but not like this. I have a feeling we have the beginnings of an alpha dog in our hands and I would like to put an end to it. He sometimes growls when he has a bone on our bed and one of us moves around him or when he's eating and someone walks closely by him. He also hops up on furniture when uninvited. I pointed this out to my husband and he said "I want my dog on the bed with me" and I said "I do too, but he should only come up when invited!" I have printed out some papers and have tried to talk to my husband about it, but he seems disinterested. He seems to think the way Samson acts is okay, but I don't. I want to get his under control. How do I work on the barking? I really, really, REALLY don't even want to consider a shock collar, but what about a beeper collar? Are those effective at all? What else can work with barking? What does training a dog to "speak" do to help with excessive barking at other animals/people? I don't even know if I'd know how to train him to bark on command. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with the barking and maybe some of the other issues? THANK YOU!!! |
I know several people who have had great sucess with this, they only had to use it a few times, now they grab the " remote" and the dog will stop... its very inexpensive and worth a shot. I dont think your dog is showing " alpha" traits, I think he is experiencing something new that may frighten him or he wants to protect you since you have moved to a new home and he is able to see new things!!! Try putting pennies in a can and shaking it when he barks and say NO in a firm voice... ;) Amazon.com: Pet Parade Dog Repeller and Training... |
I think a lot of us have the same problem. Our dogs are so small, they bark as a defense mechanism. That's not to say you can't address it. Mine have improved over the years. I taught "speak" by ringing the doorbell. When he barked, I rewarded him. I started using a hand command for it, aka I'd open my hand sort of like a dog's mouth opening. Once he had that down, I taught "no bark" with a closed hand command. I'd close my hand, say "no bark" and reward him when he didn't. I'd go back and forth between "speak" and "no bark" to teach him the difference. Now, he'll still bark at things outside, but a "no bark" and a reward usually stops him. A couple other things to consider trying: * Put some pennies in a can and shake it when he barks. They don't like the sound and usually stop barking. * I've never used them, but I would try a citronella collar if I was desperate. It sprays something in their face when they bark. But all things considered, I prefer something positive like the no bark command to something negative. |
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For the food guarding, you can teach him "leave it" - put him on his leash and put a treat or a toy he loves on the floor, as he aproaches it quickly but gently tug on the leash and start walking with him away from it and say "leave it" as you tug. Repeat until you only need the command and don't have to make him walk away. Make him sit before you give each meal too. I wouldn't let him eat a bone on your bed at all, make him eat it on the floor, don't let him dominate your bed like that. When I first got each of my dogs as puppies, I'd put my hand in the bowl as they were eating and the slightest protest out of them, the food got taken away, then I'd make them sit again before they got it back, repeat. If he growls while chewing a bone, give him the leave it command and he can't have it back until he's calm. It sounds like you have a good idea about how you should handle your dog and you're 110% right that he should only come on your bed or the couch if you invite him:) As far as getting your husband to listen to you, good luck with that and if you figure it out, by all means let me know how LOL. Seriously though, maybe pick up some of Cesar Millan's books and let him read them. They're really easy to read and make sooo much sense he won't be able to deny the wisdom there. Good luck:D |
I have the same problem! My Sammy is 9, I adopted him 2 months ago, and he has a lot of signs of anxiety, the worst of which is his excessive barking! When he sees our cat outside... All is lost. The worst part is he will not calm down for an hour after, so I usually take him to another room and sit there for a really long time (like an hour) until he forgets about it. This obviously is not a good way to solve the problem! I just bought an anxiety wrap, and that is suppose to help with constant barking. Wish me luck, and I'll leg you know if you should give it a go too!! |
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