He has picked up barking all on his own and now he is beginning to use his "voice" for EVERYTHING. I live in an apt and this just has to stop before I get evicted! Thanks :)
2006-09-17 04:21:26 · 17 answers · asked by Christie 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Maybe I should revise this question... does anyone have any "helpful" tips on how to get my puppy to not bark at everything, I realize dogs bark but this is over the top. (He is not my only dog) just the only one that barks like a maniac!
2006-09-17 04:36:50 · update #1
I'm not going to "hit him" then he'd bark at me too! *kidding* Anyway, I have tried the spray bottle and he seems totally unaffected by that... I just dont want to resort to having to buy a shock collar because those just seem inhumane in my opinion.
2006-09-17 04:40:22 · update #2
If it were just a warning bark to let us know he heard something I would understand.. but the problem is mostly when me and hubby are having a meal and Spike is just howling! He's a little begger. Our other dog (a pug) is a begger too but she will just sit and stare, hoping something falls on the floor. Spike (chihuahua) barks because he is not getting his way. When we go to bed at night he stands at the door and barks for a while then finally he goes to his (open) crate. He is a shelter rescue, he was only 6 wks when I got him so I can only blame myself for his bad behavior...
2006-09-17 04:49:48 · update #3
We use citronella spray collars to keep our dogs from barking too much. It is completely humane. It sprays a little mist of citronella and water in the dog's face when they bark. It doesn't hurt them, they just HATE the smell and it startles them enought to derail their train of thought, so to speak.
You can buy them on eBay or at a local pet store. Just be sure to get the smallest one you can find for your little guy.
The main thing, especially for chihuahuas is to completely distract them from whatever they are barking at.
2006-09-17 04:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by ambivalent_beauty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Problem is, as he sees it, barking is the most important part of his job. The little kids are the lookouts. He's an alarm system, in his genes, and asking him not to bark is like asking a cat not to claw.
What you are going to need is to constantly reassure him that everything meets with your approval; there's no need for alarm, and that you nor anyone else will step on him. So you pick him up and stroke him while you are dealing with whatever made him bark. If necessary, open the door to outside and stand in the doorway, reassuring him there is no one there who shouldn't be.
It's a shame you chose a chihuahua for an apartment dog and did not get warned that it was going to be a training job that they should have explained better. But after awhile he will get used to the idea that one sharp bark is enough to raise an alarm, and will also let him know which instances you were completely unconcerned yourself.
He may not understand your words, but he can read your tone better than most humans. That's why you must always be sincere in tone with a dog. And calm, and rational and in command. He's ultimately a pack animal; the human outranks him in pack command, and he knows it. Remind him when he forgets. Say calmly and quietly, "It's OK, sweetie; I'm in control now" and stroke him.
2006-09-17 04:38:51 · answer #2 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably won't like my answer,but I think smaller dogs have a Napoleonic problem, they think they have to prove their worthiness. They bark more than larger dogs ( in general ).
Try to let your dog know that you are in control of the situation, whenever he barks. If he was right to bark, tell him. If he continues to bark, say enough. If he barks at the wrong thing, get his attention and tell him no. You need to teach him you are the leader,and he needs clear cut examples of what he should do. He can be taught with positive reinforcement.
2006-09-17 04:41:54 · answer #3 · answered by need2knw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chihuahuas do tend to bark more because they are small dogs. Tap him on the neck and tell him no. He's gonna bark but maybe he won't bark as much.
Do not stroke your dog when he's behaving a way you don't want him to. He'll think that you like that behavior and will keep doing it. Only stroke your dog when he is in a calm state of mind.
2006-09-17 04:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you can't control a dog barking at certain things or people. What is the nature of a dog? It is to bark, thats like telling a cat not to meow or a human that can talk to become mute!!!!!
2006-09-17 04:30:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
HIT IT!!! Or throw it in a dumpster. LOL.... no, DON'T do that. I was just kidding. Watch dog whisperer, maybe u could get some hints. Now granted it is DOG whisperer, but a lot of the same trainning tactics may appley.
2006-09-17 04:26:57 · answer #6 · answered by flyboy711672005 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
bitter apple spray or a bark collar
2006-09-17 05:31:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you to get him a shock collar. you put it on like a regular collar and when he barks the collar will give him a little shock. it wont hurt him like alot just a little......i think they REALLY work!!
2006-09-17 04:52:55 · answer #8 · answered by vviivviiaann 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well dogs bark and there's nothing really you can do .maybe spray water at it that's what i do with my dogs when they bark.
2006-09-17 04:35:47 · answer #9 · answered by cold, but i'm still here ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch the Dog Whisperer on TV. Or ask your vet. In fact, ask your vet first.
2006-09-17 04:32:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋