He reminds me of some kitties I've had...the simplest unknown noise and they'd act like they were beaten half to death twice daily and at every meal on Sunday. lol They'd never had a hand laid on them...just so skittish...especially the little ferals. I learned with them...the kitties...to always 'announce' I was going to make a noise, and continue 'announcing' while the noise was occurring...like "Mommy's going to make noise now...I'm gonna [grind coffee beans...run the vac...etc.] but it's okay...it's okay...it's okay..." and quit talking only after the noise has quit so my voice carried all the way through the uncomfortable noise. They got where they'd still flinch, and have 'worried looks' on their faces, but would wait the noise out and relax when it was quiet again. If I forgot to 'announce' I would apologize...and I really was sorry I distressed them. What won't a fur baby put you through? :p:D

I hope you are able to alleviate his anxiety quickly. I hate to see them distressed, too. {{{Hugs}}}

Dogs do have feeling and are little thinkers. However, they do need direction and leadership. Teaching your little fella some simple obedience commands will solve a multitude of issues. Teaching them to sit, down, stay are just basic commands to start out with. It takes daily practice that must be continued but it is well worth the effort.

If you do not know how to teach your dog how to do these things I would suggest finding an AKC sanctioned obedience class near you. Sometimes shelters will have a good trainer that will give classes. A good shelter knows that they get less returns of the pets they adopt out if the pets are trained properly.

A dog that is taught obedience commands with positive reinforcement is a happy dog that feels it has a purpose in life. Most dogs want to have a job to do. Learning is a great way to keep your dog's mind busy and to make him feel important

There are clubs listed in your state that offer classes. If there is not one near you they may be able to recommend someone to you. I do not recommend the classes given by chain stores.
https://www.akc.org/events/obedience...state&state=NH

Hi Gracielove, thanks for the advice! My dogs are 7 years old and are trained in basic commands, like sit, lay, down. This barking from Fletcher is new behavior that started in the last 2-3 months. I wanted to know a more 'gentle' way to get him to stop this behavior. He's a very nervous dog and speaking firmly to him makes him slink away with big sad eyes and his tail between his legs. I don't want to make him MORE nervous.

Last night when he started doing this. I calmly picked him up, put him in the gated living room and left him there for 5 mins. I told my husband and step son that this is what we are going to try to see if it works. After 5 mins we let him out. He was quiet for awhile then started again when we were getting dinner ready, so my step son picked him up and put him in the gated living room again. After 5 mins we let him out. We had to do it 3x last night, each of us took a turn doing it. He got quiet in the living room just sitting on the chair watching us and we left him for only 5 mins each time. It did seem to calm him down. That was great!

Thanks for the advice!

This social scientist (in hunan behavior) completely agrees. I have observed behavior unequivocably reflective of guilt, empathy, affection, jealousy, and regret in both my dogs and my macaw. IMO we tend to underestimate these adorable critters.

Oh I have no doubt mine feels every emotion we do.... Just laugh at him when he gets mad at something and starts mumbling under his breath and see what happens to you :p

Know what you mean! When Liberty is corrected, he complies but he too mumbles and grumbles like an ołd man! Haha. Oh well, my house motto is: complain all you want, just be sure you comply

I hear what you're saying about they're never being alone and happy to have each other. I never raised two at the same time (I'm bowing down atm cus to me THAT'S a heroic accomplishment!!! ), however I did have 3 dogs (all over 75 pounds, 2 flat coated retrievers and a german shepherd) and they were all a year apart. They grew up together and grew old together... It's hard having 3 large elderly dogs, however small dogs are a whole other story. When they need to be carried it's going to be a non issue, large dogs cannot be carried especially when one of them weighed as much as 150 pounds and he WASN'T EVEN A BIT FAT, just a HUGE canine (much like a small pony!!! Lol). I'm in a new phase of my life...and it's with small breeds now. Back when I was in my late 20's I had a 3 pound pomeranian, so tiny breeds aren't actually new as an experience so much as they are a new chapter in my life to have smaller breeds from here on in (tho I adored my large ones, it broke my heart not to be able to carry my babies when they needed me to).

I loved hearing your yorkie story...sounds like they're both vying for mommy's attention and have a system lol. My new boy is on his way to working "the system" here with my shih tsu mix too. He's only been a part of this family for a week and a half...but he's well on his way to enjoying his new routine and navigating his way thru the rules. It's funny to see him try to be an alpha dog here with my family...he's learning pretty quick that I'M the leader. I feel he's in desperate need to have SOMEONE take the reins and he's relaxing into it, as surprised as he was to receive it. He's 1 years old and as a little baby he had no training and no leadership (and we all know in the canine world SOMEONE has to step up and lead...so he did). He's an almost 3 pound little boy with the weight of the world on his tiny little shoulders...finally he's slowly beginning to relax. Life is beginning to feel easy (as it should) and he can simply enjoy his new position as a loved baby boy within a family pack. How isn't that hitting the lottery?? :)

Great advice! This approach is also good for a lot of autistic/severely developmentally delayed! I think dogs like that are overly responsive to sensory stimuli, hence the positive response when you lrepare (warn/cue) and reassure/sooth.