Repairing my Pug

[Ronman]

Hi. I'm new here. By way of introduction, I have two cats and two dogs. both dogs have issues but the one I would really like to discuss is my 5-year old Pug's barking problem. this is not to say he has trouble barking, in fact just the opposite. He barks constantly, mostly in the evening. I have thought about a shock collar but that seems cruel to me. Is there some universally accepted means to control a barking problem. He is driving us nuts!

[Karen]

How long have you had him? Is this a new problem? Does there seem to be a pattern to his barking - a particular reason?

[Ronman]

We have had him since he was a pup but this problem has evolved over the past two-three years. It started out that he would bark at traffic he could see out of our deck door. Then he started taking umbrage to the "message crawls" on the TV. Now he just seems to bark constantly at every real or imagined noise and I do mean constantly.

[catnapper]

How often do you walk him and how much vigorous exercise does he get? How much interaction (ie games) does he get with you and the family daily? Quite often, a barking dog that barks at everything moing is a bored out of his head dog. He needs physical AND mental stmulation. Just letting him play in the yard is not enough, you need to interact with him via walks, games, etc. The more you o that the less the barking will occur.

A bark collar only masks the problem and he will divert his frustrations into another habit that may or may not be acceptable. If he barking for boredom, fear, anxiety, etc, then he'll turn that same emotion to something else. It could be licking himself obsessively, tearing up the carpet, chewing shoes, etc.

Get to the bottom of why he's barking and you'll be able to find an appropriate solution. Like I said, its most common that chronic barkers are either mentally or physically bored (or both)

[MajesticCollies]

Catnapper is right, You have a Mr. I want attention dog. If none of Catnappers ideas work, try a spray bottle with water. When he barks, spray him in the face and tell him "No Bark" the worst you will have is a wet pug. lol

[lizbud]

I think catnapper gave great advice.Do you think it describes your situation
at all? I've not had this problem but have heard that if you can make the dog
bark on a command, you can also teach him a word to get him to stop the barking. Hope something works for you.