Barking at other dogs
 

Hi,

I have two Yorkies. The youngest, Mitch, is a year and a half old and has one of the most annoying shrill loud barks I've ever heard.

When we walk the two dogs, both will bark if they see a strange dog that is also being walked. The older dog will stop quickly but Mitch will continue with his screaming bark on and on and is very difficult to calm down.

Any thoughts on how to get Mitch especially to stop that barking?

Thanks.

Linda

Obedience classes could,help,that! Good luck.

Zeke is the same.
I find that if I stay calm and talk soothingly to him at his level he will stop. Most of the time. Other times there just is no stopping him.

Duchess is the same way. what's funny is the bigger the dog, the more she barks. If the dog is the same size she only barks a little bit.

Your two sounds just like mine! I feel for you!
I actually think that when I first took Scottie to his obedience class, that's where he developed his barking issues with other dogs. Prior to the class, I took him to socialize at dog meet ups, he was fine. :(

Anyway, when Casie came along she was a quick learner and instantly took to Scottie's habits of barking at other dogs during our walks. I have tried to train them with treats during our walks. The amount of effort required (taking high value treats and stuffing them in my pockets, doing this 3 times a day, holding two leashes, getting poop bags, sometimes needing to hold an umbrella) was a little overwhelming. Eventually I sort of gave up, embarrassingly. Other dog owners always frown at us. But we're known in our neighborhood. Most try to stay away. And most know that I will make all efforts to keep our distance. For example, I will cross the road, turn around, find any alternative route if I see an oncoming dog. Prevention is kind of my only solution.

Though, I have been training them the command "leave it" at home. They love the "leave it" game. I then started using the command during our walks, like when they sniff dirty things. I know they know what it means, so I recently also started using the command as a means to tell them to stop barking, before they actually start barking. It seems to work sometimes, if I can't them before they go crazy, and while running the other way. Also, possibly because they're a little older now, at 4 years and 2.5 years, they seem to be under a little better control (as opposed to before), but will still bark.

It really is a lot of work. I think Zeke wants to hunt, in other words it's an instinctual thing. Yesterday we were on the path when he saw a Huskie ahead and he got into a crouching position ready to attack. I yelled ahead that Zeke was not good with other dogs. The Huskie wanted to play but Zeke was only held back by his leash while barking with bared teeth. So of course the Huskie wanted to attack and his owner could barely hold him back.
This sort of behavior may be what landed him in the shelter. However, I'm not about to do that to him.
It's just such a struggle at times so I understand what you're saying.

Mine will attempt to fight a german shepard but will freak out in fear when he sees a Chihuaua lol.

Isn't that the truth!

Check out some Youtube videos for training tips. I like Zak George http://www.youtube.com/user/zakgeorge21 a lot for the basics. You have to deal with some plugs from his sponsors etc in his videos lol, but overall explains things in simple terms.

Also https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

Training and persistence is the key here. Our trainer is of the mind frame you earn it or lose it.

If she was in her carrier, a blanket was put over her immediately so she learned she lost the right to look if her barking persisted. We remove her immediately from an area and she loses the right to look at the dog if she barks in public or at home. I'm not talking about a hey guys someone is visiting, or even the occasional stop yer yappin' at the chihuahua next door. I get what you're saying that crazed barking.

We were able to get her to stop this, despite a guy terrorizing her last spring, and her ongoing playdate with people who don't seem to mind their dogs barking ALL the time. She stops now with a fast "grrr" reminder or a bit of aromatherapy oil if she's freaked out. Keep at it.

Which aromatherapy do you use?

She uses two. Lavender and a special blend called balance from DoTerra.

I will try the Lavender. Thank you.

She also is calmed by honeysuckle, but that's probably because she's hugging me and nuzzling into my hair, and has to sleep on top of one of my shirts each night- that's my favorite scent. Only reason why I am hesitant saying that might work as well. Hope everything settles, and quickly. :) Oh.. on bottoms of her front paw pads and down her back to the base of her tail. The latter being if it's really bad.

Thanks Jenna.
Well, I love both so they can at least relax me. ��