Barking when suspicious - all hours :( Help!
 

My beautiful 3-year-old Yorkie/Silky mix Lucy is generally well-behaved. She’s even a therapy dog for visiting patients in hospitals (Facebook @LucyTheHappinessDog).

My main issue with her lately, especially since we live in an apartment, is her loud, spontaneous bark when she suspects something. It can be any time of day and she’ll wake from a dead sleep, pop up off the ground, and charge the front door barking and howling. It only lasts a minute or so, but it’s still VERY loud and no mount of calling her name or trying to calm her helps. Sometimes it’s preceded by a few seconds of suspicious ‘gruffing’ as I call it. I’m sure you Yorkie owners know what I mean.

So is there a fix other than a bark collar? Is this just their nature and nothing to be done? Curious of others’ thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

Whatever you do, don’t use a bark collar the shocks the dog that is cruel and not good for their little body’s. If it is quiet when this happens maybe try a while noise machine to block out what she hears.

Well, I appreciate your concerns but I’ve had wonderful luck using the shock collar. I don’t plan on using it for discipline or punishment though so it’s pretty much out of the question for barking - at least until I do more research. Besides, if it’s good enough for the police and military, it’s good enough for my dog. She loves it, anyway. As soon as she hears the jangle of the clasps she goes nuts with excitement. A well-behaved/trained dog is a safe dog is an alive dog is a happy dog. I don’t agree that shock collars should be dismissed wholesale. But I know a lot of dog people feel that way. Hell, a Border Collie forum I’m on will ban you if you even mention it. Some people.

Anyway, thanks, but I’m still looking for advice and help. Noise machine doesn’t help. She’s got hearing like a dog ;) She’s hear through the noise machine.

I can’t be the only one whose dog does this around here, right?

(PS I’m only calling it a “shock collar” for shock value. My trainer would scold me all the time for calling it that. It’s an “eCollar” and you don’t shock them, you “stimulate” them lol)

Well I and many other disagree and your facts are off. Police dogs are trained with positive reinforcement my trainer trained police dogs for over 20 years. Even trainers will tell you there are rare situations that shock collars are needed. They also are not made for dogs under 15 pounds and are very very dangerous. The reason she goes nuts is because she doesn't want to be shocked. Positive reinforcement is the way to train not beat or hurt the dog into doing what you want. Punishing a dog for their only way to to speak and communicate is wrong. If she only barks for a minute its really not that big a deal and she is doing what dogs do by alerting you. White noise machines do work if its just a small sound or disturbance that's why TV and stuff are left on for dogs when home alone.

I leave tv on to muffle sounds if Piper has to stay home and if I'm home with her, I'll often briefly turn up sound on tv so she doesn't hear (therefore bark at) post person or such walking by... Pipe below--Hey, did anyone else hear that...?!

We’ll agree to disagree. Lucy is over 15lbs, anyhow, and my trainers who have trained military and police dogs for just as long as you have do use the eCollars. Besides, you don’t stim them to hurt or punish them. You only stim them AFTER they have learned the skill and it’s usually incredibly low voltage just to remind them when they get distracted.

Different strokes for different folks. But I guarantee you it’s not fear that Lucy’s expressing with the collar. I’m sure you know your own dog’s emotions and I’m sure you know how you’d feel if a stranger on the internet were trying to tell you what they meant without knowing anything about you or your dog except a single fact of type of collar you use.

Anyway, I’m not here to evangelize eCollars.

Leaving a TV on is not out of the question, but the random barking happens at any hours and often while we are home watching TV. She’s a good guard doggie. Yes, she may have the separation anxiety bark/shrieks when we leave, but a TV wouldn’t do anything about that.

And you’re right, the suspicion bark is only for a few seconds so it’s really not THAT big of deal, but it’s enough times during the day that neighbors COULD complain and we’d be forced to deal with it at some point.

Anyway, I appreciate your input, but we should steer clear of the shock collar debate. That’s like talking about abortion or religion or Trump/Obama/Hillary. Best avoided, at least when it’s clear we’re on opposite sides of view. Have a wonderful day!

So back to the original question... my Emma does the let me check out the scene bark as well . I don’t leave the TV or radio to save on energy however when I do see or hear Emma ready to pounce at the door I actually yell a firm NO and will redirect her . I do use positive reinforcement when she does what I want .

Maybe shock collars were once used for police training but not now because they have determined positive training works best. I feel so sorry for your pup. Shock collars are just not the way to go and in most cases it is a lazy way of training and positive reinforcement gets much better results with out killing the spirit and personality out of dogs. It’s just a shame people resort to that method. Dogs love unconditionally so it’s a shame for their owner they love so much to cause them pain.

Sorry OP, I don't have any advice but can completely relate. Max does a howl/ barking combo when he even sees someone walking past our house on the street. I haven't had any luck redirecting or quieting him. I thought for a while we would have to move into a townhome or an apartment for a year, so it was a real concern. I wouldn't want to have to deal with complaints. Hopefully someone else will have some advice for you:/

Maybe a shaker would help. My Lulu’s the same, her trainer made a shaker. An empty water bottle and mini size stones in it. Constant positive reinforcement is needed at the beginning. We actually practiced and had my son approach our front door and before she barks we redirect her attention by shaking the bottle. This snaps them out of their current state. Shakers are good for training, I dont like her jumping up and down during dinners asking for food- so I used the shaker to tell her its not ok- with a firm no ofcourse. Then after awhile- I just raise my finger with a firm No.. we dont need the shaker anymore. It doesnt work for all dogs... but I hope this helps :)

I came across this issue with Scottie. It happened when he discovered that the sound of his voice was kind of a ferocious loud sounding man bark (for such a small dog).

We also live in an apartment so I understand your concerns for the noise. It was frustrating at that time for me too - I was pulling hairs because every single noise from the hallway would make him bark. I even read into e-collars because I was *that* desperate. But upon reading more about it, it really didn't feel right. Personally, I didn't want to use that even as a last resort.

A few things I tried, which eventually made him stop (most likely, all in combination):

1) I played various Youtube sounds of doorbells, door knocking, elevator sounds, people talking, key opening door (you name it - they have all these sound effects on Youtube) and did some desensitizing training. Each time a sound was played, I'd give a treat right away before he barked. Then, I increase the time before he got a treat, if he remained silent. I did this on a very regular basis. It's helpful if you have a second person to play these sounds at the door, while you're somewhere else in your apartment to do the treat/clicker training.

2) I read a really useful post, explaining the usefulness of a dog who alerts you. She suggested allowing a dog to bark three times, then after that it's "enough"!
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...h-barking.html

3) I also read about many members who found a water spray bottle to be effective. Some would argue this is not positive reinforcement training and that it shouldn't be used. But, this was my last resort. My bottle sprayed a mist, not a stream of water. I believe it was the bottle or the spraying sound that deterred him. I actually only had to use the bottle twice, in combination with the command "that's enough", followed by a lot of treats when he stopped barking immediately, and he finally figured it out.

I read about another technique that I didn't manage to be able to do: train your dog to bark on cue. And then train your dog to stop on cue. I think if I was able to do that, it'd be pretty useful. But it was a little more than I could handle.

Also, we tried the penny in a can. That didn't do much for us. But every dog is different. :)

Good luck!!

Barking
 

I feel for you with Lucy and her watchdog ways. I have the same issue with my boy who responds to so many noises and I assume smells. He feels he owns the area in which we live and protects us from all comers. He goes so crazy and runs around the house, there is no stopping him, even for the food he loves! I have not tried the collar but tried treats and the mist spray, to no avail. All I can do is try and ignore him until he chooses to settle down. It is not only noise as a person walking by will evoke the barking with no noise.
Luckily I live in a situation that does not annoy neighbors, but don't know what I would do if I lived in an apartment etc. We can't stay in hotels with him as all who walk by set him off and that is not tolerated!
When there are fireworks outside, I did get some success with a very loud TV music channel, but that does not always work. So I am grateful for the advice given so far and for any other ideas you may have.
I have learned some things on TV that annoy him and can be fast on the mute button, but new things I have no cure for!

You might want to try one of those ultrasonic things that work when a dog barks. I know people who it worked for.

They range from around $10 up to $150 from what I have seen. I bought a cheap one a few years ago and it worked at first, but some of the pups got immune to it.

This one says it works best in single dog households.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/PetSa...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lot of good replies

I just gently stroke my little boy to reassure him.
I’m always amazed at what he hears at night that I don’t hear

So am I! My pups know if there is a possum on the back fence....I don't know how. I don't think they make sounds?? Maybe they smell them? I don't know...but I know one thing...no one will ever sneak up on me! LOL

Barking
 

Thank you Ladyjane and others for your suggestions. I did try the ultrasonic device, but my dog took it as the enemy and tried to attack it. It made him more excited it seems. As for trying to comfort him by petting, he gets so worked up I can't get near him. The trouble is that these random barking attacks come suddenly and he goes from 0 to 100 in a second and runs around the house like a crazy animal. If I had notice and could catch him early I think I could calm him. For instance. Last night after dinner I was in bed watching TV and he was sleeping on his bed on the floor. He usually does this and just sleeps quietly. The TV was not making noises etc that would bother him usually. He suddenly shot out of his bed barking and running around and I let him out the bedroom door in case he wanted out the front door. But he just ran up the hall and ran back to his bed. After a few minutes he did it again a few times. I turned the TV sound off but to no avail. I did halt the barking temporarily by using a light mist spray in fron of him, but that soon wore off. As we live in a fairly wild area with all kinds of critters around, I wonder if he hears or smells animals outside that I do not know about and he is defending the home? Or he could be dreaming of intruders? These dogs are so sensitive to things we humans do not know of.
The bottom line is that when he gets the barking fits there is no way to calm him that I have found. In the end he calms of his own accord and settles down.
If he should bark for a reason I know of, I can normally calm him by talking to him in a quiet voice. He also does not bark for long or run around then.

How did he know where the sound was coming from? I have always seen dogs look around when the thing makes the sound....the only time they knew where it came from was when I had the hand held one. I think the others work better....my neighbor uses one and her dogs rarely bark when outside.

Sometimes in the middle of the night Cody will jumped up out of the middle of his sleep barking his lil head off, we have a lot of wild life that comes out at night, these dogs have bionic hearing lol. I just stroke his back and tell him it's ok, he'll give a couple gruffs then settles back down.

I thought this was an interesting article about a study done on dogs using shock collars. Might want to check it out https://positively.com/articles/ever...-collar-study/. I really like Victoria Stilwell.

Joey can hear a fly pass gas at the neighbor across the streets house lol

Barking.
 

Ladyjane. Yes it was a hand held one. So he knew the origin! He certainly did not like the noise.
Maltese. Sounds like the wildlife! These dogs sure are sensitive, but such great watchdogs. Unlike you, my dog does not settle down, and barks for ages until he feels he can safely rest! Or could be the critters stay outside for a long time?? I know we have something out there that ate my oranges!!!! Just waiting for final ripening and they were eaten. Grrrrrr!
Just seen your post Lovetodream. I will check out the link. However, I am sure my dog would go crazy with a shock zap, but worth a try. I love Victoria too.
Thanks all.

We could never ask for a better watch dog
Could we :)

It is interesting....no where does it say that controlled use of an e collar harms a dog. It also says that if you don't use them properly, that is when there are increased problems.

I don't advocate the use of them .. but, would not bash someone who used one in an extreme case. There are different circumstances and not all training methods work for all dogs. I personally could not use an e collar but I know people who have used them in extreme cases with great results....actually potentially saved the lives of their pets by stopping behaviors that other methods didn't help with. AFTER they got them to stop those behaviors they were able to work with them with positive training. I don't believe e collars should ever be used in place of other training methods which is what that study was....a comparison of different training methods.

The last few lines say it all:
This was a comparison study and is not what I have discussed above. No where in my posts did I suggest that the e collar should be used in place of other training methods.

This study also does not discuss safety issues which you have raised. You say it harms them but what I have read is that only happens when the collars are not used correctly.

The last few lines say it all:

"Accordingly, it seems that the routine use of e-collars even in accordance with best practice, as suggested by collar manufacturers, presents a risk to the well-being of pet dogs. The scale of this risk would be expected to be increased when practice falls outside of this ideal."

I wasn’t sharing it to say it said it harmed them I was sharing it to show that other methods worked better. Although it did say that dogs could have issues from it. I’m not against them after everything else is tried persay and a trainer is involved but I really do swear I read some articles about them being dangerous for small dogs last time this topic was brought up. But again I just shared this article to show other methods seem to work better.

Barking
 

Lovetodream. Cracked me up about your dog's detection skills.LOL!
The Yorkie is an excellent watch dog to be sure, but mine would lick any actual intruder to death! But the bark sounds scary.
I read the link re ecollars, and still feel I do not wish to try.
I did try a shock mat with my previous dog, but using the lowest voltage setting it really scared my dog. I got it to stop the dog going up stairs to prevent her going up and hurting her legs when the gate was not a convenient option, but definitely stopped using the mat and returned it. So electric shock of any kind sounds bad for a dog. But who knows it may be the only way to curb some dogs especially larger and more sturdy dogs.
I find it hard to even think of punishing a dog for doing its job as a watchdog, even though the barking can be very annoying sometimes. I just wish he did not get so stressed and that I could thank him for the warning and tell him, all is ok now.

Barking, post 27
 

Sorry, I meant Matese not Maltese!!!! Darned iPad knowing better than me!

Post 22 not 27. Sorry!

But, you did say it was harmful to them in a couple of posts and I guess I got the impression you thought this study backed that thinking.

I just commented saying it is interesting....because it DOES say that it can cause issues if used in place of other training methods and if not used properly. I think it is important for people to know that.

Speaking of watch dog, Yes Emma is a good watch dog when someone is outside but when they are in, she just comes to tell me. Funny Story, my best friend (6'5 ~300 Pounds) was on his way to visit, I was upstairs in my office working Emma was with me. I left the door unlocked. Emma goes down stairs when she hears the door open but she made it half way down the stairs and ran back up and jumped in my lap. I continue to work for a good 15 more minutes not realizing he was in the house. Emma made no peep but the way my best friend explained the how Emma looked (shocked and scared) at him when she made it down the stairs was so funny. So I realized then Emma wouldn't do much in case of an intruder.