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problem with barking
by rita owens
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
i am the very proud owner of two 22 week old maltese puppies - however lately i havehad a problem with them barking. If they see someone outside or hear another dog barking outside they go into this barking frenzey. I tell them no -no don"t bark but i truly believe my request has fallen onto "deaf" ears. so if anyone out there has had a similar problem or has any suggestions i would very much appreciate hearing from you . thank-you
DISCUSSION:
I could use some help too! My Chico is a great little puppy, execpt for his barking and nipping. For the barking, I've tried the 'no bark' command. I've given him a release for his barking (i.e. teaching him to 'speak' on command) and I've also tried the pennies in a can (except I use Korean 10 won coins....same thing). Nothing seems to work. If he wants to bark, he barks. He'll calm down eventually, but not to my satisfaction.
As for the nipping, he loves to chew on hands when he's playing. He has never broken the skin, or bitten hard, just playing. I've tried 'No Bite' since he was a puppy, to no avail. I've tried forcing my hand deeper into his mouth when he bites, again...no sucess. I haven't been able to find a trainer or an obedience class here in South Korea, so as of now, I'm stymied as what to do with these two problem behaviors. Any other suggestions would be appreciated! [ggg]
Dean and Chico
Double your pleasure - double your fun - & double the work! Congratulations on your new babies! Many have had great success with using the 'penny can', drop a few pennies into an empty soda can and tape it shut. When they start their ruckus you counter with shaking the can & they figure out that one noise causes the other.
Leslie R
Try pennies in the can. Just shaking it works or you could throw it on the floor next to them.
Charlynn
Rita: I really wish I had an answer. My Pete barks if a leaf turns over in the yard. If a person or another dog approaches the house you have to put in ear plugs. I just adopted a 1 yr. old Maltese "Ty". I have had him for 4 weeks. When I first got him he did not bark, but now (I guess from being around Pete) he joins right in with Pete and their barks are deafing. I have tried everything I know but have had no luck. Maybe we will get some tips on how to handle this here. Good Luck
Belle
Rita, My 8 month old maltese (Lucy) was starting to do the same thing. I have been working with her pretty diligently for the last month. I use a penny can. When she starts to bark when I don't want her to, I shake the can and sternly say quiet. She has just resently figured out what the word "Quiet" means. If she doesn't stop the first time - I take the can and toss it (only because it makes a bigger noise) and as soon as she stops I tell her what a good girl she is. If she starts again after the good girl, I repeat the penny can. It has taken consistency, but she is figuring it out. Now I just say the word and she stops and does a low growl and a short, ruff, ruff like she's still getting her say, only quieter.
DeeDee
Rita, I don't know why the coins in the can didn't work in our house. All it did was annoy ME. I saw this guy on TV who gets paid big bucks to train "untrainable" dogs. Know what he uses? A magazine. Any magazine (TV Guide works well). When they start barking, toss the magazine near them. Don't throw it. Just toss it so it lands near them and, as you do, say the words you want to use as the command. "Don't bark," is what I use. (Creative, huh?) Also, it helps if the pages flutter so open it before you toss. As soon as I say, "don't bark" I add "come" and make them sit for a treat. It seems to be working for Baxter and Rudy. They still bark occasionally, but only because I've become lax about following through. It takes time. Like Belle's Pete, Baxter would bark at a leaf skipping by and Rudy would join the chorus. They were so out of control. We're starting to use it when they chase the cats now and I know you probably won't believe this, but just now Baxter started for Edith, the cat, and actually stopped without me saying anything. (We've had a couple of go-rounds with that this evening.) He stopped and looked at me. Our eyes met and he came and sat next to me. Wow, I'm so proud. Good luck if you try this. Remember, it takes time.
Marie
Hi, I have of these darlings, and two of the biggest barkers I have ever seen! They are now 3 and 4, and we love them to death. But if one barks, the other doesn't even have to know what he's barking at, off she goes! Well, I borrowed my son's police whistle, and guess what, it's helping! It can really get old after a while of that barking, and i don't want to be yelling, Stop It all the time, maybe the whistle will help, will keep you posted! Gail Z
Gail Z
Marie, Really? A magazine is all it takes? You mean I have been living through barking chaos with magazines right there on my coffee table? Look out Bailey and Buddy...I've got new training for you tonight!
Ellyn
We live out in the country, so there are a lot of strange noises at night. The outside dogs do what they can to "protect" their territory which usually results in all-night bark-a-thons. Needless to say, our Dusty joins right in! Last night, I was getting worried because Dusty hadn't spoken a word to me or my husband upon our return home from work. At one point, I even made the remark that I thought Dusty has laryngitis! That was a mistake. As if on cue, the barking began. Most of the time, we let the little Bug (as I call him) outside; however, last night, I had the feeling that something really was out there. Dusty is not a yapper--he only barks if something is going on. My husband & I had to sleep with pillows over our heads as I was not going to risk a wil animal getting my Bug. Eventually, Dusty either got bored or exhausted because he stopped the barking, then it was his snoring we had to contend with!!! I know this doesn't help with your problem, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. Good luck!!!!!
Steph Diaj
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