Barky Dog Problems

[ButterCookie]

I thought it might be that he was out of routine but he does it when he's sleeping in the front room and anyone walks past the window that he sits in. Unfortunately, that window is his rug by the fire and it was that way when I adopted him.

I'll definitely try praising him and I hope it gets somewhere. The logic makes perfect sense to me, I just hope he's as smart as your dog on the uptake Thankyou!

[camchristo]

Have you tried a bark collar? I don't have a dog but I know some friends who have used them when everything else has failed. Much like the collar for an electric fence, dogs learn really quickly to avoid the unwanted behavior.

[ButterCookie]

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't afford one. They're like £60 or so and more for the ones that work based on a small jet of citronella in front of the nose rather than socking him.

My mum wouldn't help me out with one, either. She says he's my dog and I've to sort him out because I wanted him.

[desertangel]

If he sits in the window and barks at everyone all the time, the praising could take awhile before he settles down. What breed is your dog and how long have you had him?

I just re-read your earlier post and see that you adopted your dog. If that means you have not had him since he was a puppy, his barking may also indicate fearfulness. If this is the case, just teaching him that people are fun (hey, there's so-and-so walking by our window "hi neighbor!") and noises are okay ("thank you for barking, good dog") -he will eventually become more comfortable in his environment and not feel like everything is a threat. Sounds silly, I know - but the dog whisperer people recommend this approach for adopted dogs and it sure worked with my dog. Give it time, be patient and give lots of love. Try not to feel too frustrated because they can sense that and it may take longer. Sometimes I would tell my dog "it's not okay to bark at people, they won't want to pat you on the head." It's not so much what you say but the tone that's in your voice when you say it that they respond to. Lots of repitition, you have to do it over and over and over before it sinks in and changes their behavior. You can do it! It will be very rewarding when you see your effort paying off.

[ButterCookie]

He's a Shih Tzu and I've had him a year. He'll turn 3 in December.

I've sat the whole family down and had the positive reinforcement talk and he has responded well so far (he's been set off about 5 times since I replied to your last post) he sits and listens rather than shouting back at me. We'll have to see what side of the bed he wakes up on tomorrow and the day after etc before I dare say it's working though.

Thankyou for your help! It really is so so appreciated!

[Macfanforever]

I dont have a dog.but .I looked up Bark collars.I found this forum.Beware of some collars.I dont want to see Max get hurt.

http://www.poodleforum.com/5-poodle-...k-collars.html

[ButterCookie]

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

I dont have a dog.but .I looked up Bark collars.I found this forum.Beware of some collars.I dont want to see Max get hurt.

http://www.poodleforum.com/5-poodle-...k-collars.html

This is why I'm very wary of them. I don't really like the thought of electrocuting my dog in any shape or form, which is why I looked into the citronella spray ones. Also, with him having such thick hair, he might not feel a bark collar anyway, I have no idea.

[desertangel]

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

He's a Shih Tzu and I've had him a year. He'll turn 3 in December.

I've sat the whole family down and had the positive reinforcement talk and he has responded well so far (he's been set off about 5 times since I replied to your last post) he sits and listens rather than shouting back at me. We'll have to see what side of the bed he wakes up on tomorrow and the day after etc before I dare say it's working though.

Thankyou for your help! It really is so so appreciated!

He sits and listens rather than shouting back... that's so hilarious! I'm hoping it's not just a reaction to the difference in response he's getting from you. I hope he continues to sit and listen. :-D

A Shih Tzu shouldn't be too much trouble. If you've had him a year and he's been doing this all along, it may take a little longer to correct the behavior. My dog was the same age as yours when I adopted her. We had a lot to learn and were still learning well past the one year anniversary. The family talk was a great thing to do. Your dog needs to have only one master and a back up for when you are out of the house. Of course if both are out, then he needs to practice good manners and listen to what he's told. Otherwise it will get too confusing for him. Don't know if you've ever adopted before, but some of them can be a real challenge. I almost gave up on my several times. After 3 years, I'm so glad I didn't. You may also want to look into food intolerances as that can make them very attention deficit and hyper. Mine calmed down quite a bit once I got her on the right food. *yea, no bark collars - just time, patience and did I mention exercise? Lots of long daily walks and runs at the dog park will help greatly!