My dogs bark at everything, and I can't get them to stop. Any suggestions?

Question

They are Pembroke Welsh Corgis, so they don't have a guarding instinct. They bark especially at new things or any new noise, people, etc. and our neighbors.

Answer 1

There is nothing you can. I have two Chihuahua's. They are the same way. I asked my vet. She said there is nothing that can be done. Dogs bark for protective reasons. You can't hate them for that. I do give them time outs. That helps. Please don't do shock collars or strip their vocal cords. They are just doing what they think is right and will protect you. I know it is hard, but try and be them for a day.

If you get a shock collar. Here is my advice for you. Put it on you first and see how it feels. Then see if you want to put it on your dog.

Answer 2

There are a few different things that you can do.

You can spray your dogs with a small water bottle or water gun when they bark. This doesn't hurt them, but they don't particularly enjoy it, and it will eventually develop a conditioned response, however you need to be consistent with it to make it work.

You can get them bark collars. There are a few different types out there. Most emit a small electrical shock. It does hurt a fair bit, but again won't do any lasting damage. (My parents have one, and I have used it on myself. It feels like a good static shock, similar to when you've been dragging your feet on carpet then touch a light switch. It has been thoroughly tested, approved by animal rights agencies and is completely legal and humane) There is also a collar that sprays the dog with a citrus water (not in their eyes, but under their chin). It is triggered by the sound of a bark, rather than a vibration, so if your dogs rough-house, then it might be a better choice than the shock collars. Again, it doesn't hurt the dogs, but they don't particularly enjoy it, and will learn to avoid triggering it. This one is also nice in that if you leave for a period of time, you can come back and smell your dog to see if they've been barking, or if they've been learning their lesson.

You can also muzzle the dogs. I would recommend doing this only when the dogs begin to bark as a conditioned behavioral change strategy, as most dogs really dislike them. It also limits their ability to truly defend you if you needed them to.

The final option is to pay for professional dog training. This is by far the most expensive, but also usually the most effective method, and it will improve all aspects of your dogs behavior.

Answer 3

I had a dog that barked at every noise. In the middle of the night if a stray cat walked through the yard. He heard it and was at the window barking. Any car driving by. I had so many complaints from the police. Neighors complaining. I purchase a bark thing to put around his neck, that whenever he barked he would hear this loud pitch noise. Only he could hear it. It did not work. He barked louder. The police told me if I wanted to keep the dog I had to get a shock collar. I was informed by some animal activitst if put a shock collar on my dog they would call the humain society. For health reasons I had to get rid of the dog, so no more worries. You can also get muzzels. I went to the Vet shop to buy one and they refused to sell me one. They said they were not intended to stop a dog from barking.

Answer 4

hahahahaha
No they don't have a guarding instinct (per se, at least no more so than any other dog protecting it's home and owner) but they WERE bred to be cattle dogs and by gum they DO have a herding instinct! A working corgi BARKS at the cows to get them to move in the direction he wants!
Dogs bark for one of 3 reasons:
1) To alert you to "strange" people or animals in your territory
2) To communicate
3) Out of boredom
Check these sites out:
http://www.dogobedienceadvice.com/why_do_dogs_bark.php
http://www.doghobbyist.com/feature_pages/barking.htm
Some things that may help:
A radio playing low (think white noise)
A penny can (shake to distract them)
A squirt bottle with water (set on stream and let 'em have it when they bark, along with firmly saying "no bark")
Praise them when they stop barking with a small treat.
Perhaps an obedience class to teach them who is in charge...
Bark, shock, or citronella collars should be a last resort IMO.
Well no, to correct myself, the absolute last resort should be de-barking surgery.

Answer 5

It sounds like there is an instinct if they are barking at new people and noises. For this reason, you'll need to take some time and be patient with them. One suggestion is to bond with them, so that you are seen as the leader of the pack. They should be taught that it is OK to alert you, with one bark. Then it is up to you to take action. We praise our dogs for telling us when strangers approach, and then we tell them to be quiet. They are to trust us and expect us to give them guidance. There are techniques such as water pistol, etc. And those can work a bit. But you want an underlying understanding that you are the head dog, and they can rest and relax when you are in charge.

Answer 6

as cute and cuddly as your corgi's are to you they can become a major irritant to neighbors so its wise for you to seek to control their barking...why not use bark collars? they give off a 'shock' every time the dog barks and you reinforce the negative shock with a 'no' and eventually they will associated barking with a shock and stop. it's a low voltage shock that if you follow the directions will not harm your dog anymore than swatting them on the behind with a newspaper. i have talked to some ppl who have had a great result with using them. i'm not sure how much they are but let's just say they are probably less than a citation from animal control. the only other option is to contact your vet and ask them what they recommend.

Answer 7

Bark back at them. See how they like it.



Just kidding. That would certainly be an awkward sight! Like most people have said, squirt them with a little bit of water; most dogs don't like to have water forced on them and that will invoke a Pavlovian response: they will recognize that certain actions on their part result in undesirable consequences. if that doesn't work get a trainer or simply get over it cause the reality is dogs bark.

Answer 8

Use a water bottle and teach them the command "enough" then spray once on the forehead watch the ears. Do not over wet them or they will forget barking and just fear the water bottle. Attempt this no more that 3 times while training in a situation.

Answer 9

Dogs can be disciplined not to bark. My dog is a work dog and she was trained not to bark. If she does let out a bark I just give out a word command for her not to bark.

Any good dog trainer can train your dog to do this.

Answer 10

Yes, get a little spray bottle and fill it with water and spray them in the face when they bark. If the water doesn't work you can add some lemon juice or something that will sting them. It sounds kind of cruel but they learn that way.