How Can We Stop Her Barking.

[moggy]

Sophie seems to be barking more lately. She barks at people passing by the window, barks at animals when they appear on the tele and more annoying is she runs out the back yard and just barks at nothing!!!

Luckily she only barks during the day. Is there anything we can do to curb this behaviour. We say a firm "NO" but it doesn't seem to have any effect.

I have heard of collars which spray something into their face but are they legal in Victoria?

Advice please.

[mita]

I'm no expert. But I've always first removed temptation. Screen off the passing parade of people & dogs, so the doggie can't see them to bark at. So keep the dog away from front fenceline, looking thro' a window or gate.

Then do the Hell of a Bang treatment as soon as barking starts....like when she runs out & starts barking at nothing.

I think some people use a can of stones which they throw on the ground. Though another one is to bang 2 metal pans together (once only). Must be done as soon as the dog starts barking....so it eventually gets the message that its bark stirs the scarey noise.....which stops when it's quiet.

Apparently, there's a variety of anti-bark collars, including the citronella one. Maybe other DOLers who've used them can advise you about the kinds & if there's any problems with using them in your state.

Edited July 22, 2008 by mita

[persephone]

Hi- can you tell us a bit more ?

How old, how long have you had her?

How much exercise does she get each day?

Free running, or controlled leash walking?

Does she get obedience sessions each day?

Is she otherwise obedient and calm in the house/yard?

[moggy]

Persephone, she has just turned 1 year old and we have had her for 9 months. She is a Chihuahua (picture left and below) and is a house dog. She gets lots of chasing the ball exercise every day, her favourite thing. She doesn't get obedience training every day, but is quite well behaved. And she is calm in other ways in house and yard. She loves going for a walk on her lead.

We are mainly concerned about the barking in the back yard apparently for nothing. At least we can't hear or see anything. She doesn't bark non stop, just for about 30 seconds.

Edited July 22, 2008 by moggy

[persephone]

She is a Chihuahua (picture left and below)

sorry, I configure my computer so that I don't see avatars or signatures ... I bet she is cute , tho.

Ok- she is young, and everything is still new and exciting

throwing a ball is fine- but it is a little like a child- say around 10-11 who is just sitting around the house all day, with odd spurts of playing .

After a time- they get hard to handle

Your pup needs a good length walk twice a day, ON LEAD- with the humans in charge. That means no sniffing every few feet- stopping at kerbs, walking at heel...etc.

The chance to sniff and relax comes ONLY after she has walked nicely and bhaved for 10 mins or so- then she can have a few minutes of sniff/piddle, etc.

This not only gets her out & about, exploring the world- and using her brain to be obedient and controlled.

Using her brain is important- as she then is more tired and will relax quicker (IMO)

The barking- well.. try and teach her to "speak" ! As soon as she barks, and you are nearby- say "SPEAK" --and praise her.

When she will do it - then introduce 'stop" or "quiet" --- see how you go ;)

Maybe she sees herself as the 'boss' in the yard- and feels she has to protect her humans?

With lots of obedience/learning sessions, and making her 'work' for her priveliges, she will learn that the humans are quite capable of protecting themselves AND her- and may stop...

maybe...

just my view- no saying it's the right way to do it at all ! :D

[granny]

Sophie seems to be barking more lately. She barks at people passing by the window, barks at animals when they appear on the tele and more annoying is she runs out the back yard and just barks at nothing!!!

Luckily she only barks during the day. Is there anything we can do to curb this behaviour. We say a firm "NO" but it doesn't seem to have any effect.

I have heard of collars which spray something into their face but are they legal in Victoria?

Advice please.

If you do go with the citronella collar make sure she is not allergic to Citronella first. I have a mate that tried one on her dog and his face puffed up.

[moggy]

What about the no bark collar which emits a sound only the dog can hear. Apparently they don't like the sound and stop barking. Are they all right to use or are they the illegal ones.