we do have noise in my bedroom. i have an air purifier that sounds like
an airconditoner, its on everynight for me so it blocks out noise so i could
sleep... ive used it for years and years.. cant sleep without it.. we are both
nuts.... she still jumps out of the covers and run into the livingroom and
barks for nothing...

Okay.... I'm probably going to get someone on YT calling the abuse police on me, but here is what I do for Sweety when she decides SHE is gonna run her yap.

Sweety doesn't bark at night. In fact, she curls up under the covers and won't even hear the doorbell!

But... when the children are playing and coming in and out of the house, she feels compelled to let everyone know that they are coming in or out. Even though she KNOWS it's them and they are allright to come in or go out.


She has a very high pitched bark that is waaaaaaay to annoying to listen to all day as the children play. I bought a bark collar (with my vets recommendation). She ONLY wears it when she gets totally nuts with her barking. I NEVER leave it on longer than an hour. She hates it with a purple P passion.
When we first started using it, she tried to bark and got a very small shock. She stopped immediately. She tried barking a few more times and each time got the shock. After wearing it a few times, all I had to say was "Do you want that shock collar on you?" She would HUSH...no lie. No more barking.

The very few times I've had to use it after that, she doesn't even try to bark with it. I've had it for the three years I've had her just about. I KNOW the batteries are dead in it now, but it still does the trick when she thinks it's time to get voicey.

I know many of you will probably think I'm just AWFUL to use that. I worried about it at first, until I tried it on MYSELF. Yes, I shocked myself with it.
It wasn't a painful thing, just made you want to stop immediately. My children even wanted to know what it was going to do to her and tried it on themselves. It has long since died but just it's presence will curb her barking now.

For us, it was a lifesaver. She doesn't like us fussing at her and we no longer have a fight over her barking.

Good luck. I hope it works out for you. Remember that she does want to be a good girl..she really does. We just have to find a way to show her how. :)

Hehe
 

That CRACKED me up! Im at work and just burst out laughing!! Thank god people here think im nuts already! :D

uuummm.. my suggestion... EAR PLUGS!!!

Im kidding!

I have 1 boy who sleeps when I sleep, straight through the night, no barking, nothing. I have another boy who does what lexi does, under the covers, over the covers, by my head, back under the covers, back out, ON my head, on the pillow! Last night it was never ending movement from him, I didn't sleep at all last night. he is not a barker though... neither ofmy dogs are. I live in a townhouse, so since they were YOUNG I kept with the "NO BARKING" line and they are really good about it now. Wish I could help you with the barking I don't know how to train them from doing that at an older age, just as puppies Im sorry :(

I do hear you with the whole restless dog syndrome though! Some nights Im awake every hour on the hour!

when she barks i tell her im gonna get the swatter, she stops, but when
you in a dead sleep and she barks, you cant even talk, you have no
energy... should i try a no bark collar, or a muzzle??? one or the other, im
going to try something is she doesnt stop this....

:lol tears :lol tears

I'm sorry.....I know I shouldn't laugh, but that was too funny! You poor thing. No sleep is a bummer. Hope you can get her worn out tonight.

You know, I used to think I was against the bark collar. Now, I feel that if it is absolutely necessary, then it's okay. I've been lucky enough to be able to yell (from wherever I am in the house) SHUT UP, and that usually does it. But I think if I had to listen to that from night after night, or all day while my kids are making their own OTHER racket, it would drive me crazy enough to go buy one.

I know many YT'ers are against them, but hey.....to each his own.

im against them too, but man oh man, i need some rest....if this weekend
goes bad again, im going to think about getting one .... they are pretty
expensive though, i would hate to waste more money and not use it....

A few extra dollars for a whole lotta peace is worth it in my book.

Like someone previously said, I think you need to definately establish your dominance over her, Gina. Lexi thinks she is the pack leader and as the pack leader she feels like she has to protect you. When she hears something, she barks bc this is her defense mechanism. And I agree that she is so small that she gets overwhelmed with the job of trying to protect you and she is anxious and nervous which probably makes her bark more. Go to the dog whisperer's website and also search here on YT. There are many methods you can use to establish your dominance.

I honestly feel like a muzzle or a shock collar will only mask the problem temporarily and only frustrate poor Lexi more. You need to get to the root of the problem, which is dominance.

Excellent post. :thumbup: I agree 100%.

My yorkie used to do that also, but my german shepherd put her into place. And now they're best bud. There're time for affections and there're time you need to discipline them!!

i feel your pain. sometimes, with kirby, i feel i need to rehome him b/c his barking gets to me soooo bad. i just love him. i am home all day and he needs me all of the time, he really needs a boy about 5-6 yrs old to play with him. muffie and coco are fine. they can entertain themselves. they don't bark or constantly nag me. we have tried everything for kirby's whining and barking but nothing seems to help. i think it is just his personality. he is a man and he is needy

rebecca, you know me and jen you know me very well, i dont think i would
get the collar .. you know what, she probably does think shes protecting me, cause she barks and looks at me..... she thinks she the alpha, but shes not

That's the problem sweetie ... Lexi thinks SHE is in charge. You have to be the Alpha in your pack.

I was watching the Dog Whisperer the other day and Ceaser was saying how dogs who think they are the Alpha dogs are always worried and stressed and bark alot bc it takes alot of work to be the leader and protector of a pack. It might be worth it for you to get the Dog Whisperer's DVD or book. I know he has some great techniques on how to establish dominance in your household. Maybe this could be something you and your hubby do this weekend together with Lexi.