EllaMaizysMom | 04-21-2014 08:50 PM | Help! My sweet baby is a barking machine! Hi everyone! I'm so sorry if this is a repeat question but I couldn't find anything about it in the search option. I have a one and a half-year-old Yorky who loses her mind anytime she sees another animal and sometimes even people. It's bad when we go for walks or if we're driving. My neighbor has a dog and if she's out in the backyard, my Ella goes nuts. Usually if I let her go up to the other dog and sniff it, she'll calm down but that's not the case lately. I'm not enjoying taking her anywhere as I can't get control of her. She lunges at them and snaps but won't ever make contact. In every other way she is the kindest and most gentle dog around and has absolutely no behaviour issues. I'm not sure if she's afraid or being territorial but in every other way she is very submissive. I've tried petting the other dogs so she knows it's safe, taking her up to the other dog so she can feel safe while meeting them, tried stepping in front of her and reassuring her, shouting at her (hangs head in shame), spray bottle and the citronella bark collar (only it's too big and bulky and I feel awful making her wear it). I want to treat the underlying cause of her barking as I don't want her to feel afraid or insecure and she's teaching my puppy to bark as well. Kind of at my wits end and want to be able to spend time out side with her. Suggestions? |