Being Alert at 4 months - YorkieTalk.com Forums

bambina · 12-01-2005, 12:03 AM

Bambina barks at little noises and even barks at some of our family members. I don't understand why she is doing that. She gets to socialize everyday with everyone. She seems to get worse everyday. What should I do?

YorkieRose · 12-01-2005, 05:58 AM

You have to nip it in the bud..now!
Pick her up, tell her NO. Don't let her run away. Confront the behavior and tell her No. Put her in another area for a time out..let her learn bad behavior gets a negative reaction from you.
When you know people are coming, have her in your arms and you correct her then..if they are running around barking, it is hard to get their attention.
You are wise to recognize a bad pattern is developing.
She sounds insecure right now..it is good to flood them with lots of noise also..make sure the house is not quiet, so they get used to noises.
Did you get her from a breeder who does not socialize them in a house type kennel..noise, people, attention etc.

FirstYorkie · 12-01-2005, 11:34 AM

Bambina, it's hard to offer advise without knowing more. When does she bark at people? When she's bored and wants to play? In the middle of playing? When people first get home?

You posted in another thread that because of grooming issues, she's afraid of you. I'm trying to say this as gently as possible, but it sounds like your relationship might need work. I don't think she knows how to appropriately get attention. Is she getting plenty of playtime? Does she play games with you? Do you play with her if she brings you a toy? (not always, but when it's convenient for you). Does she ever let you love on her?

I like YorkieRose's advise to get her used to a variety of noises. But, given your situation, I don't think I'd punish for barking. I would say quiet, hush, no bark, or whatever command you choose. Is she quiet for even one second? "Good puppy!" (said softly) Still quiet? "What a good puppy! Good quiet!" Still quiet while she listens to you? "You're the best puppy ever - let's go get your TREAT". I guess I'm saying I'd try to reward for good behavior more than punish bad behavior in this instance.

Also, for what it's worth, I noticed that Joey suddenly 'found his voice' around 4 1/2 months. He's gotten much better now that he's 6 months. As a result of my praising quiet? Maybe. More likely he's just outgrown some of it!

YorkieRose · 12-01-2005, 01:04 PM

I do not think punishment should be used with dogs for any reason.
I do think time out is needed with a puppy out of control...it sounds like she is easily overwhlemed. Her life with you could be very different from her breeders..she may have some from a reputable breeder or a miller..makes a world of difference waht she has been exposed to in the past.

Picking her up and telling her to be QUIET or NO BARK is the best correction.
I have a feeling this puppy runs from correction, she sounds like a skiddish type...so you need to hold her and talk to her..firm, but gentle. Reassure her good behavior.
There is a time for serious things and a time to just play with her..let her know she is doing things right when she does, praise her then. Right now she needs to establish a bond of love with you, love with boundiers..and she will learn what is acceptable and what is not.

bambina · 12-01-2005, 07:13 PM

I trained my Eddy really well and he's very quiet and only barks when someone is at the door. Bambina on the other hand she will bark at little noises. She just started to do that. I try to correct her by picking her up and saying no but it is hard to catch her and she follows the noises. Also when I say No, she will continue to bark and not notice me thinking that I also dislike the noise. It is really hard for me to train bambina when she only wants to play with Eddy. I spend alot of time with Eddy and bambina together and I feel both of them still lacks attention. Do I need to separate both of them while I work one on one?
I got bambina from a good friend of mine and I was there when she was borned and visited her almost everyday until 7 weeks. Bambina was socialized with her mommy and daddy and my friend's family members. She is mean to my Eddy. She will pick a fight with him and Eddy just runs to me. I raise Eddy so well and Bambina is just wild. Any advice?

FirstYorkie · 12-02-2005, 12:36 AM

YorkieRose,

While you and I agree on alot of things, we're going to have to "agree to disagree" on this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I do not think punishment should be used with dogs for any reason. I do think time out is needed with a puppy out of control...

IMHO, time out *is* punishment for dogs because they are such social animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Picking her up and telling her to be QUIET or NO BARK is the best correction. I have a feeling this puppy runs from correction

Again, this is IMHO, but I believe that picking up a dog is giving her positive reinforcement for a behavior that you're trying to extinguish. And, chasing the dog to pick them up is doubly reinforcing.

YorkieRose · 12-02-2005, 05:24 AM

Perhaps we misunderstand each other...a "time out" to me is taking an overwhelmed pup out the stressful situation. I do not leave it alone..it is away from what is upsetting it..but I am there.

This pup is a "runner", he is going to have a difficult time making eye contact and getting her attention if she runs off.
Doesn't do much good to tell a dog no when they are off in another part of the house..then you have to shout and they get more stressed.

I pick up a "naughty" puppy, look it in the eyes, talk in a firm voice..and my puppies get the idea rather fast that. I guess I am fortunate, I do not have puppies who grow up to be difficult adults, barkers etc. I have found removing them from the stress early, talking calmly to them, soothes them and reassures a pup starting out like this.
I would need to spend time to know, but this pup sounds high strung and skiddish..and a runner..not easy to deal with when you have had one who trained easily.
Perhaps a trainer would be helpful right now.

FIRSTYORKIE...if we all agreed this forum would be soooooo dull! LOL
Where in the UK are you..I was lived Lym, near Manchester. My family bred Boxers..wonderful dogs, but a handful..you sure don't pick them up much! LOL
Never mind..I see you are near London..

FirstYorkie · 12-02-2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Perhaps a trainer would be helpful right now.

Yes, I agree! In fact, that's the advice that I offered in Bambina's other thread.

Thank you for clarifying what "time out" means at your house. I understand the rational behind your advice. Hopefully, Bambina understands the rational behind mine.

PS I'm an American living in England for a few years.

bambina · 12-02-2005, 03:39 PM

Bambina is so little and thinks she's so big. I taught Eddy not to bark by holding him and saying NO but this method does not seem to Work on Bambina. She is very smart. I taught her a few things in a day and she caught up fast. I will try to talk to Bambina firmly and pray that she understands.

12-01-2005, 12:03 AM	#1
bambina Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ca Posts: 27	Being Alert at 4 months Bambina barks at little noises and even barks at some of our family members. I don't understand why she is doing that. She gets to socialize everyday with everyone. She seems to get worse everyday. What should I do?

12-01-2005, 05:58 AM	#2
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Barking You have to nip it in the bud..now! Pick her up, tell her NO. Don't let her run away. Confront the behavior and tell her No. Put her in another area for a time out..let her learn bad behavior gets a negative reaction from you. When you know people are coming, have her in your arms and you correct her then..if they are running around barking, it is hard to get their attention. You are wise to recognize a bad pattern is developing. She sounds insecure right now..it is good to flood them with lots of noise also..make sure the house is not quiet, so they get used to noises. Did you get her from a breeder who does not socialize them in a house type kennel..noise, people, attention etc. Last edited by YorkieRose; 12-01-2005 at 06:00 AM.

12-01-2005, 01:04 PM	#4
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	barking I do not think punishment should be used with dogs for any reason. I do think time out is needed with a puppy out of control...it sounds like she is easily overwhlemed. Her life with you could be very different from her breeders..she may have some from a reputable breeder or a miller..makes a world of difference waht she has been exposed to in the past. Picking her up and telling her to be QUIET or NO BARK is the best correction. I have a feeling this puppy runs from correction, she sounds like a skiddish type...so you need to hold her and talk to her..firm, but gentle. Reassure her good behavior. There is a time for serious things and a time to just play with her..let her know she is doing things right when she does, praise her then. Right now she needs to establish a bond of love with you, love with boundiers..and she will learn what is acceptable and what is not.

12-02-2005, 05:24 AM	#7
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	puppy Perhaps we misunderstand each other...a "time out" to me is taking an overwhelmed pup out the stressful situation. I do not leave it alone..it is away from what is upsetting it..but I am there. This pup is a "runner", he is going to have a difficult time making eye contact and getting her attention if she runs off. Doesn't do much good to tell a dog no when they are off in another part of the house..then you have to shout and they get more stressed. I pick up a "naughty" puppy, look it in the eyes, talk in a firm voice..and my puppies get the idea rather fast that. I guess I am fortunate, I do not have puppies who grow up to be difficult adults, barkers etc. I have found removing them from the stress early, talking calmly to them, soothes them and reassures a pup starting out like this. I would need to spend time to know, but this pup sounds high strung and skiddish..and a runner..not easy to deal with when you have had one who trained easily. Perhaps a trainer would be helpful right now. FIRSTYORKIE...if we all agreed this forum would be soooooo dull! LOL Where in the UK are you..I was lived Lym, near Manchester. My family bred Boxers..wonderful dogs, but a handful..you sure don't pick them up much! LOL Never mind..I see you are near London..

12-01-2005, 11:34 AM	#3
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Bambina, it's hard to offer advise without knowing more. When does she bark at people? When she's bored and wants to play? In the middle of playing? When people first get home? You posted in another thread that because of grooming issues, she's afraid of you. I'm trying to say this as gently as possible, but it sounds like your relationship might need work. I don't think she knows how to appropriately get attention. Is she getting plenty of playtime? Does she play games with you? Do you play with her if she brings you a toy? (not always, but when it's convenient for you). Does she ever let you love on her? I like YorkieRose's advise to get her used to a variety of noises. But, given your situation, I don't think I'd punish for barking. I would say quiet, hush, no bark, or whatever command you choose. Is she quiet for even one second? "Good puppy!" (said softly) Still quiet? "What a good puppy! Good quiet!" Still quiet while she listens to you? "You're the best puppy ever - let's go get your TREAT". I guess I'm saying I'd try to reward for good behavior more than punish bad behavior in this instance. Also, for what it's worth, I noticed that Joey suddenly 'found his voice' around 4 1/2 months. He's gotten much better now that he's 6 months. As a result of my praising quiet? Maybe. More likely he's just outgrown some of it!

12-01-2005, 07:13 PM	#5
bambina Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ca Posts: 27	I trained my Eddy really well and he's very quiet and only barks when someone is at the door. Bambina on the other hand she will bark at little noises. She just started to do that. I try to correct her by picking her up and saying no but it is hard to catch her and she follows the noises. Also when I say No, she will continue to bark and not notice me thinking that I also dislike the noise. It is really hard for me to train bambina when she only wants to play with Eddy. I spend alot of time with Eddy and bambina together and I feel both of them still lacks attention. Do I need to separate both of them while I work one on one? I got bambina from a good friend of mine and I was there when she was borned and visited her almost everyday until 7 weeks. Bambina was socialized with her mommy and daddy and my friend's family members. She is mean to my Eddy. She will pick a fight with him and Eddy just runs to me. I raise Eddy so well and Bambina is just wild. Any advice?

12-02-2005, 03:39 PM	#9
bambina Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ca Posts: 27	Bambina is so little and thinks she's so big. I taught Eddy not to bark by holding him and saying NO but this method does not seem to Work on Bambina. She is very smart. I taught her a few things in a day and she caught up fast. I will try to talk to Bambina firmly and pray that she understands.