Anyone know how to stop 19 month old male bichon frise from barking?

Question

He started barking from about 7 months. Initial advice was he was attention seeking. Some of it may be, but also seems like unusual noises or if he sees a dog, cat, birds through our home window. Plus passing people, dogs etc in the car.

Answer 1

You've just got a very vocal dog and he's now in the habit of barking at anything and everything. Keep a spray bottle handy and squirt him with water the instant he starts barking, while telling him "quiet" or "no barking". You need to be very consistent, but he'll get the idea that when he barks, there's consequences. You also need to be ready with lots of praise and treats when he is quiet and praise him for not barking. It's going to take a bit longer because it's gone on for so long, but he can learn.

Answer 2

He feels he is guarding you and scaring away the bad guys. I don't agree with the squirt bottle as it will totally confuse him. He is a dog and they bark. We are people and we talk. It's a natural thing. When he starts incessantly barking, go to him and say what a good boy he is for guarding you and then say it's okay now. If he's at a window, close the blind. If he is just barking for the sake of barking, play with him or give him a time out in his crate. DO NOT use the crate as a punishment. It is his safety place. Just be calm and say it's time for a rest. If he continues to bark in the crate, ignore him and he will stop. Bichon's are a wonderful breed ( my son has one) and with a little patience on your part, he will be a lifelong companion. If the barking drives you nuts, find him a good home and get yourself a cat. They make good pets too.

Answer 3

Your dog has become accustomed to barking. It's going to be much harder now than when he first started to get him to stop. Dogs like the feeling that barking gives them, so it is best to stop that habit when it first starts. Don't let it continue unaddressed. Barking to get attention is the worst form of barking because dogs almost always seek attention.

My advice is to link the barking with something that they enjoy and deprive them of that enjoyment until the barking ceases. Additionally, reward him when he stops barking, first reward him the moment he stops, then make sure that the pauses grow longer and longer. If he can go 5 minutes without barking, then you can probably stop the training. Now, this may take a week of 1 hour sessions to instill in your dog, but it will be worth the time. Also, if you have a universal word that your dog knows which signifies that he is doing something wrong, make sure you use that as well. For us, it's the word "NO!" and also the sound/word "oooooooh...."

My dog used to whimper when he wanted attention (I stopped him from barking when before he turned 6 months old). He would whimper because he wanted food or to go outside. I ignored him and made it harder for him to get food or to go outside. That taught him to stop. Now, when he wants food he stands by his food container. When he wants to go outside, he gets his leash and stands by the door. He's only 19 months old. My dog only gives warning barks now.

Proper training will stop your dog from barking. Be careful in using the water in the face because you don't want your dog to become aggressive toward you. That happens at times with the water spray in the face. It's also a very easy tactic to abuse. I would not recommend that.

Answer 4

Yes he is attention seeking. In the past you have probably shouted at him to be quiet and this, of course, is what he wants, your attention. When he is quiet, pat him and make a fuss of him and have some treats handy and show him you like his behaviour when he's quiet. When you know he is going to bark for no reason, make sure you have a handful of treats and he'll know he'll get a treat when his behaviour is acceptable. Be patient, it'll take a few attempts before he gets the message.

Answer 5

we had a problem with our neighbours dog barking every time he was left alone(this was quite often unfortunately) but he was able to rent a collar from the local council that sprayed a small amount of water into his face every time he barked it worked perfectly without harming the dog and now life is very peaceful. maybe worth a try

Answer 6

They are talkers and he is saying all kids of things! It will take some patience. Squirt bottle of water/little vinegar, using your command voice and saying "quiet", removing him from what he is barking at will help. Good luck. I have maltese and a beagle and can feel your pain.

15 minutes in the crate as time out is not punishment unless you are beating/yelling at the same time. It is his safe and QUIET place and it works.

Answer 7

Sounds like a regular dog if he barks when something happens like passing car or cat etc. Try a muzzle? Leave him be 'cos he's just doing what dogs do..?

Answer 8

get it a collar that squirts a him in the face when he barks. make sure its one one those ones that you can control with a hand held button, so he doesnt get squirted for all types of barking. DONT get a shock collar, thats cruel, and the squirt one works just as well.

Answer 9

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/8mL4l

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.

Answer 10

If the et says she is ok then go to mastiffs360.com and go to the bottom of the first page and view the guest book. There is an entry in there with an excellent solution for you.