Barking dog!

[magber]

We have super sweet-bundle-of-energy dog called Pickles. He is a Poodle/****er Spaniel mix. I love him to death and he loves me too. He follows me EVERYWHERE in the house. But he is a barking monster. He barks at everything and everyone. He barks at my husband and to the kids as soon as they get in the door and specially if they get close to me. He growls and try to bite the kids if they get close to me. We say he has the small dog syndrome! We all laugh at it but I know that under a dogs point of view that is nothing to laugh about. He is neutered already and he is about 1.5 years.

I feel I need Cesar Milan!

Anyone have any advice? I need to correct this behavior. The older kids (19 & 15) DO NOT like him because of it. I been thinking about buying him a no bark collar, but not sure if they work.

 

[Lickleone]

My best mate tried those collars if it the same one she did.. I don't like them nor did my mate she stopped using it after just a day she said she felt cruel cause she would watch the dogs reaction each time the collar worked when he barked.. it zaps them granted not a lot or apparently painfully but still think it not nice.. I know it isn't nice that a dog barks all the time etc.. and I am sure there ways to go but personally I wouldn't try the collar.. I keep thinking how would I feel if I got zapped every time I spoke...

 

[Graddydani]

Oh no. Those collars are so mean Do you shout at her when she barks?

 

[uzska75]

oh poor doggy sounds insecure. i traineddogs for years mainly working with aggressive and insecure dogs. I find that bark collars (even the cirtus spray ones just reinforce the insecurity. Your best bet would to be start from scratch...new schedule entirely.
I would have the humans who pickles is most aggressive toarwds be the only ones in charge of feedings and excercise. Pickels needs to know they are boss but also that they are a source of good things.
A few things I have found that work:
1. Teach the stay command..it will help with all other training
2. food schedule by other humans..make pickles sit and only go to food dish after humn says ok
3. lots of excersice prior to training..they listen better when they are less energetic
4. find pickles currency..this means what does pickels love (food, belly rubs, treats)...whch ever one is pickle's fav. tht is the currency that is given ONLY when pickles works for it.

Just a few ideas that have usually worked for me and my clients
I know pickles can become a secure happy dog..it just takes a lot of patients and family effort by all.
Good luck and feel free to pick my brain for any ideas or concerns.

 

[muddpuddles01]

I had that problem with Mudd at one point, and I actually found a training collar that doesn't zap or spray. It plays a high pitched noise when they bark, and can be set to high or low volume. It worked wonderfully and didn't cause any pain or anything. She just got annoyed at the sound. I used it on her for about a month, and then stopped putting it on her. I juts left it laying near her crate. I've had no problem with her barking since then. It was about $30, but totally worth it!

This one is very similar to the one I had - High Tech Pet Sonic Bark Collar Curbs Barking Or Your Money Back!

 

[magber]

oh poor doggy sounds insecure. i traineddogs for years mainly working with aggressive and insecure dogs. I find that bark collars (even the cirtus spray ones just reinforce the insecurity. Your best bet would to be start from scratch...new schedule entirely.
I would have the humans who pickles is most aggressive toarwds be the only ones in charge of feedings and excercise. Pickels needs to know they are boss but also that they are a source of good things.
A few things I have found that work:
1. Teach the stay command..it will help with all other training
2. food schedule by other humans..make pickles sit and only go to food dish after humn says ok
3. lots of excersice prior to training..they listen better when they are less energetic
4. find pickles currency..this means what does pickels love (food, belly rubs, treats)...whch ever one is pickle's fav. tht is the currency that is given ONLY when pickles works for it.

Just a few ideas that have usually worked for me and my clients
I know pickles can become a secure happy dog..it just takes a lot of patients and family effort by all.
Good luck and feel free to pick my brain for any ideas or concerns.

Thanks! Yes!!!! He IS very insecure. We dont know why. We got him since he was a baby and just loved him and cared for him as any of the other dogs. But it got a time where we started to notice that he will coward for everything , anything and anyone. We have always wonder why he does that because we dont mistreat him or yell at him, much less spank him.

Thanks for the advices, I will follow through!

 

[uzska75]

Thanks! Yes!!!! He IS very insecure. We dont know why. We got him since he was a baby and just loved him and cared for him as any of the other dogs. But it got a time where we started to notice that he will coward for everything , anything and anyone. We have always wonder why he does that because we dont mistreat him or yell at him, much less spank him.

Thanks for the advices, I will follow through!

Sometimes it has nothing to do with a dog having a bad past. It could just be that he is not sure of his placement in "the pack" He sees a pack leader and doesn't know where he fits in with the others. I'm sure he'll get more confidence if the whole family continues to show love but also establishes rules within the pack order. He will not have his feelings hurt by letting him know he is at the bottom of the totem pole:Laugh:
He will feel even more loved once he knows where he stands.

Maybe start slowly with him and have the person he is most unsure with (barks at) start feeding him his meals.
That makes a huge difference with most dogs I have worked with. good luck...you'll do great and he'll be fine.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

My Louie is the same way. And I mostly blame myself. he is just so darn cute and he is shy and insecure. I coddle him a lot and make him feel like a baby. I know wrong very wrong. I find that when others like husband and the kids try to take him from you, encourage him to go with them, tell him it is ok and to be nice.
It cracks us up some nights because hubby will try to take Louie off my lap and he will growl and try to nip at him like there is no tomorrow. I know the laughing encourages.
Try treating him like a big boy and telling him it is ok kind of forcing him to sit with others.

Louie used to sleep with us but we had to put a stop to that, due to lack of sleep and him thinking the bed was his. he will now go into our daughters bed with her because he has no choice.

 

[magber]

My Louie is the same way. And I mostly blame myself. he is just so darn cute and he is shy and insecure. I coddle him a lot and make him feel like a baby. I know wrong very wrong. I find that when others like husband and the kids try to take him from you, encourage him to go with them, tell him it is ok and to be nice.
It cracks us up some nights because hubby will try to take Louie off my lap and he will growl and try to nip at him like there is no tomorrow. I know the laughing encourages.
Try treating him like a big boy and telling him it is ok kind of forcing him to sit with others.

Louie used to sleep with us but we had to put a stop to that, due to lack of sleep and him thinking the bed was his. he will now go into our daughters bed with her because he has no choice.

I can sooo relate to that!!!! we do treat him like a baby!

 

[ElvirasMum]

Thankfully Spike only barks if the front door opens. Otherwise, she's a mellow litle couch potato!

 

[Taraforweb]

Watch a bunch of the Dog Whisper shows- sometimes you can find them online... and also the one with the Brit chick. They have both worked with this issue. I bet you can find some ways to combat it and help boost your dog's self esteem.

If I had that problem, I would start with having everyone take turns playing with the dog and doing training. There is something about playing with the dog that gives it more comfort with you.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Great refresh of an awesome post. I enjoyed learning so much about so many of you that i have corresponded with for years My passion is truly my kits...the recent loss of our little girl only magnified my appreciation of them. Other interests are running/fitness. Love walking and running new rail trails etc. I enjoy good wine and good food. My hubby and I met 2 weeks before we graduated from HS...27 years later I can say he is my best friend and through 2 surgeries including my encounter with cancer he is my rock.Simply put...my passion is life...live it to the fullest...be honest and be good and everything else just falls into place.