I need your help!
 

To make a long story short...I had to leave the house I shared with my husband last Friday and my sister and her roomate were kind enough to let me stay in their finished basement until I can get into a new apartment this weekend. I have obviously taken my pup with me.

Stewie has always barked when people come to the door, ect. but was NEVER a problem barker. Since I have arrived at my sisters, whenever he hears footsteps upstairs, any noise outside he barks like a mad man and won't stop. On top of everything I am going through, hes only allowing me about 2 hours of sleep a night because of his behavior.

He is quickly wearing out his welcome at my sisters and I am TERRIFIED that I will get kicked out of my new apartment if this sort of behavior continues once I move in. The landlord made an exception for me having the dog.

While the new apartment has no one above us, which is good (he won't hear footsteps) I am moving into the city which comes with a ton of outside noise.

ANY HELP to stop this behavior is greatly appreciated. My sister reccomended a bark collar, but I feel like thats not safe.

I'll try anything.

Thank you!!!

I think Stewie just has to adjust to a new unfamiliar place. He isnt used to all of the new sounds and to his new environment yet. Once you move and get settled into your new place and he sees that this is his new home, he will most likley settle down. I'm sorry you had to move on such a short notice :(, but I'm glad that Stewie is there to comfort you :)

I think she is right on the money. Good luck with your new beginning.

Oh wow! I completely understand. My husband and I are in the middle of splitting up too, I just have a little more time than you did. I was really worried about moving into an apartment too because of Wookies:aimeeyork barking. He barks whenever he hears strange sounds, which happens all the time in apts. And I figured he would probably be worse because of adjusting to a new life style. I fortunately have found a house to rent. He can bark all he wants in the house and you can't hear him outside. Plus he will still have a little backyard to play in. Is there anywhere you could possibly find a house to rent??

I wish you the best of luck! I know this is a very difficult time for you. I don't know what I would so without Wookie:aimeeyork right now. He is my rock, or as someone in here said, my little pebble!!!:animal-pa

I need your help
 

Using a small spray bottle, I have had success with spraying a fine mist of water in the dogs face when it barks. Spray it quickly and hide the bottle right away. The idea is to surprise and not let on where the spray came from.

A lot of people have had success with putting a few coins in a can, like a pop can and giving it one or two quick shakes and at the same time say, "Sshhhhhh"

I'm sorry that you're in this stressfull situation. Hang in. It's a New Year...New Start!!! I agree, it's going to take time to adjust to the recent changes,but all is possible,for you both. I leave my t.v. or radio on just to "help" with back ground noises.I do it even when we sleep,at night. We live in the country,but my nephew works odd hours and lives on the other side of our duplex. He also has a 4 year old and a new baby on the way. (Talk about constant noise...lol) Although our house has the "fire wall" and you can't hear each other , the cars,four wheelers,snowmobiles, outside starting at all hours of the night by his friends,drove me nuts. Also my husband is on 24 hour call in the winter,so our phone is always ringing or his beeper is buzzing. All that used to get all 3 of my guys barking. Pongo is 15 and deaf,so he barks at anything that moves...Aiden ..almost 1 (2/12/09) barks at Pongo barking and my little Harley 6 mo old just falllow the gang,so trust me if you have constant sound like radio or t.v. (aniaml planet...don't laugh) they actually watch it..It's less noticible..Sorry if I'm rambling...try it and good luck with your new adventure.

I really feel for you, I could never have a hyper dog where I am. Yours sounds like it is new to his change in life and will calm down. I would try to hold on if you can since adding anymore aggravation to the situation might be more than this little guy can handle. If it continues I heard there is something like a bark collar that he would not wear around his neck( but you put it on the table somewhere he is and it sets off a high pitch noise that only the dog can hear and I think it's Petsmart or Petco that sells them. Good Luck and I hope things calm down once you get settled.

You going through a very stressfull time and so is Stewie.
All the changes are making him nervous and he is only reacting
to that. Do you have somethings that he is familar with?
Blanklets, furniture the scent of his old surroundings will help
him settle in. I have tried everything out there when Bud was
a puppy. Living in a condo barking is a no-no.
I found pennies in a can to work well. Shake it when he barks
then reward him immediately when he stops. He will get the
message. I think in a couple of nights he will settle down.
When I travel with Bud it takes him a night or two to get use
to the different noises in his new surroundings.
Good luck to you.

I am so sorry you have going through some stressful times with your life. I agree with others that your baby will just need time to adjust. My babies have barking spells too when they hear strange sounds. Have you tried leaving a radio or tv on? I know my dogs bark more if it is real quiet in the house because they hear more outside noises. Just don't leave the tv on Animal Planet or he really will be barking. :) I do pray that everything will work out for you.

Yes radio a great idea, the music is relaxing for them and they can't hear every little footstep.:)

how about a sound machine, that will help out the noise in the back ground. We got one at walmart for $20 and when we sleep at night we turn it on. If its not one Princess will bark at every little noise the cats make. Turn it up and your little one wont hear anthing going on inside or out and not bark. Its worth a try.
Good luck!:)

I have not hear of a sound machine. What kind of sound does it make? I always have to sleep with a fan on because I can't sleep in dead silence, the dogs hate it too when it is too quiet. Sometimes our electricity will go off in the middle of the night and I always wake up because it is too quiet and then the dogs will start barking because it is too quiet for them too. :)