Help me make her stop barking

[saturnfire16]

Or we're going to have to get rid of her.

We've had this dog for almost 3 years. Up until last month, none of the neighbors ever complained about her barking. I asked the closest neighbors to tell me if she barked when we were gone and they said no. We just moved down the street and now people are complaining to the mobile home park management.

We are on a more busy street, so maybe she barked every time a car drove by or person walked by at the old house too, but now it is 100 times a day instead of just a few. Every time she barks, if I'm home, I immediately bring her inside unless I'm in the middle of changing a diaper or something. Then I have the kids do it, but it takes longer.

The manager suggested a barking collar, but 1) I can't afford it 2) I think they are cruel. How would she even let out a little bark at the door to tell me she wants to come in?! and 3) there are half a dozen other barking dogs in this neighborhood. What about them!

I don't really care about the dog, but the kids like her. How do I make her stop barking at every blasted little thing?

[kiloyd]

I'm not going to be super helpful. My dog barks at everything too so I can't leave her out. And when ds is napping I crate her because she'll bark if she hears a big truck drive by or someone knocks or rings the doorbell.

[mamajane]

The only solution may be to keep the dog inside most of the time.

[kiloyd]

Had another thought. Be sure she is not barking early in the morning or late at night, those are the times to be most annoying to neighbors.

You could check out the training videos at www.dogmantics.com and see if she has anything helpful.

ETA: Actually she does, but it will take a lot of time. There is a video where she is getting her dog to stop barking at the noisy washing machine.

[Soliloquy]

This really works but it takes a day or so of diligence. Take an empty soda can, put a few pennies in it, tape it shut. Every time she barks, shake it. Dogs hate the sound and stop barking.

Another option is a squirt bottle. Some dogs actually love it (so it won't work if your dog does) but you squirt them in the face when they bark.

[mom2boys]

Our dogs bark a lot too. They are 100% indoor dogs though.
(Well, they toilet outside, but ykwim. )


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Indigo]

Making sure she is well exercised will help a lot. Barking is often a form of nervous energy release, so if you burn that energy off productively she should bark less. Daily walks are imperative, also play sessions w/the kids - chasing a ball, running around, catching bubbles, dog training exercises - will all help too.

[JoyfulMom]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

This really works but it takes a day or so of diligence. Take an empty soda can, put a few pennies in it, tape it shut. Every time she barks, shake it. Dogs hate the sound and stop barking.

Another option is a squirt bottle. Some dogs actually love it (so it won't work if your dog does) but you squirt them in the face when they bark.

We have a papillon and she is super nervous and barks a lot. It drives me batty. I have tried the can of pennies and the spray bottle and neither of them phase her. She goes nuts when strangers (to her) come inside or when she sees other dogs outside. It's annoying. Especially when someone stops by and are trying to chat with me or Dh.

[kiloyd]

Originally Posted by JoyfulMom

We have a papillon and she is super nervous and barks a lot. It drives me batty. I have tried the can of pennies and the spray bottle and neither of them phase her. She goes nuts when strangers (to her) come inside or when she sees other dogs outside. It's annoying. Especially when someone stops by and are trying to chat with me or Dh.

This is where Kikopup's video comes in.

Here's the list of videos on reactivity and barking.

https://dogmantics.com/free-video-li...y-and-barking/

Here's the one at barking at the washing machine that I mentioned. I love her positive training!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_l...layer_embedded

[saturnfire16]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll be back later to read more carefully and see what things I can try.

[kiloyd]

I really really need to make a daily effort to work on my dog with barking at the vacuum cleaner. She'll bark if I just pull it out of the closet!

All this stuff is trainable, just takes time.

[mamajane]

Originally Posted by kiloyd

I really really need to make a daily effort to work on my dog with barking at the vacuum cleaner. She'll bark if I just pull it out of the closet!

All this stuff is trainable, just takes time.

And energy!

[kiloyd]

Originally Posted by mamajane

And energy!

Yes!

Kikopup is inspiring. I should make myself watch a few of her videos weekly. Of course she is single with no children! More time and energy to train.

[FarmMama]

We have had success with the thundershirt for our high anxiety dog. I wonder if that would work for your hyper-active barker?

[schmamy]

Every time this thread title pops up, I forget we have an Animals board and I think "oh dear, that is a unique parenting problem..."