Constant Barking
 

I need advice. Since I have been working from home and rarely away from Bella and Thumper they have gotten separation anxiety from me. Even if I am only a few feet from them.

Bella is worse than Thumper. Thumper will just shake but Bella will bark constantly until I give her attention.

I usually always pet her for a few minutes but her barking has hindered my work. When I am on a call or trying to concentration she is always barking. I cannot get her to stop. I allow her to sit on my lap while I work. However, there are times I need her to be quiet when I am on a client call or when I need both hands to type an email.

I am not sure what to do. I tell her to stop in a stern but calm voice. She does for a minute or two but will start up again.

After a long day of work I have to take Tylenol because I have a headache from her barking. I love her dearly but I am reaching my tipping point. I don't want to yell at her as she is just too sweet.

Would love some training techniques. I have used the spray can "No Bark" but Thumper is deathly afraid of the sound and will hide for over 24 hours straight if I spray it. Any other suggestions.

Oh, dogs wonderful manipulators of their humans. They are so cute, just think, they realized what gets your attention off your work, onto them! They strongly disagree with your being home, ignoring them, focusing on the phone, the laptop, as dogs want our constant attention if we'll allow it. The more they get their ways by driving you crazy, the sooner they learn how to control you using those tools. They love these games - heck, they're bored, have nothing else to do, why not? We give in immediately, even bad attention brings you back to focusing on them! And IF my dog paid my bills, did my work, folded clothes - ugh!, heck, I might put up with manipulative barking, lavish w/all attention wanted, hahaI LOVE how canny, clever they are.

Many ways to rehabilitate them. But you'll have to give it total dedicated focus for 6 wks., give or take, depending on you, your dogs. Stay unemotional, positive, upbeat as you say, 'no bark!' !then quickly, happily herding them out of the room, into a far off room, closing doors, forcing yourself to ignore them until they have gained control of themselves, gone quiet for 5 - 7 minutes. Then reward w/smiling 'good quiet', allow into your room, but the first bark, say, 'no bark!'! laughingly force them into that far off room, ignore until quiet. Smart dogs soon learn barking gets them happily banned from your presence, going, staying quiet then rewarded w/smiles, Mommy's presence. AHA! They don't really see it as punishment because mom isn't mad, stays cool, happily puts them away SMILING! Dang! What just happened? Soon, they begin to process what causes what, gain control.

Smart dogs pick up on what quickly gets them banned w/in 2 wks. and it's actually funny to see them gagging down, struggling to stop barks that just come out before they learn full composure works far better. Believe it or not, dogs can control wanton barking when the risk/rewards get figured out. All it can take is a look at them and they swallow a bark, ANYTHING to avoid that new, more boring room, not being w/Mom. Less savvy, maybe more unstable, nervous dogs take your fun, happy, dedicated devotion to the program for up to full 6 wks. Such is the life of a dogowner. Bear in mind, there are many ways to fix them if this too hard. But stay calm, happy, positive, don't scare or show anger. This just works like a charm for those dedicated enough to keep themselves under control, always respond properly to barking you dislike.

And, be sure to give your dog play breaks during your workday, during any rehab, retraining program. Get them outside where they can roughhouse with you, get some sunshine, air, smell exciton new scents, run off frustrations, just enjoy being a dog for a while on a strict schedule they can come to rely on, wait for before they demand your attention w/barks or pawing, scratching at you.