Doggie Dilemma or I BARK therefore I annoy

[crow_noir]

I'm sure someone will come alone with better advice...

The one I can think of off the top of my head right now is when a dog is barking use a squirt bottle and spray them (aim at the tip of the nose) and say "No Bark."

[Freedom]

I've read that using a muzzle will help teach the dog to whine, not bark. I do NOT like the idea. However, one of my current foster dogs is VERY outspoken. We have tried the water squirt. He thinks it is a game and snaps to catch the water. Well, it does stop him barking, as long as we are playing with him! I'll be watching for ideas as well!

[Giselle]

In order of importance:

1) Remove the trigger. If there's nothing to trigger the dog, there's nothing to bark at. However, there are times when you cannot remove the trigger (i.e. the neighbor's barking dog is making your dog bark). In that case, move down to #4.
2) Exercise (I'm sure you already have this down)
3) Mental exercise
4) Never give the dog the opportunity to bark. If he barks when he's outside because everybody else is barking, bring him back inside. If he needs to go out for a potty, supervise him. As soon as he potties, bring him back inside.
5) Teach Quiet. Present the trigger to the dog, wait for him to stop (he will, eventually). As soon as he stops, say "Quiet" and treat. Repeat repeat repeat. Eventually, you can say "Quiet" in the middle of his barking and he will stop.

Also, to immediately stop the barking, present a deterrent every time he barks. I am *not* a fan of squirt bottles. Instead, I like using a can of pennies. Every time the dog barks, throw the bottle in the dog's direction, as soon as he stops barking, say "Quiet" and treat the dog.

[crow_noir]

#5 is the method i was trying to think of!!!

as for the last part you mentioned... each dog's personality is different. A shaker can is worth a try, butnot all dogs will react to it though... And the user has to make sure the dog never sees them as the source of the thrown shaker can.

5) Teach Quiet. Present the trigger to the dog, wait for him to stop (he will, eventually). As soon as he stops, say "Quiet" and treat. Repeat repeat repeat. Eventually, you can say "Quiet" in the middle of his barking and he will stop.

Also, to immediately stop the barking, present a deterrent every time he barks. I am *not* a fan of squirt bottles. Instead, I like using a can of pennies. Every time the dog barks, throw the bottle in the dog's direction, as soon as he stops barking, say "Quiet" and treat the dog.

[Giselle]

Honestly, I've yet to find a dog that does not react at least slightly to the can of pennies hurled in their direction. The reason I don't like squirt bottles is because I love grooming and my dogs occasionally need spraying/misting with water and hairspray. I mistakenly used spray bottles with my Peke when he was a puppy. He is now terrified of being misted with water or sprayed with hairspray. Water bottles are no longer a part of my training "regimen"!

[crow_noir]

I'm not dismissing that squirt bottles won't be right for everyone. They are an option though when other methods don't work.

Shaker cans:
There are certain dogs that are a lot calmer than others. Many of those would make it to be a therapy dog, police dog, etc. King was one of those dogs. He was terrified of loud noises, but we worked with him. By the time we got him into an obedience class (just for socialization and something to do together) he wasn't even phased by the shaker can. A dog near him was having a barking fit and the can was thrown near it. All the other dogs stood stock still too. King then turned his head to see what all the other dogs were doing. It was sooo funny. I wasn't the only one in the room that noticed. One of the other dog owners brought up the point of what if you have a dog like King? (And that's why the trainer explained that there are different training techniques and why our class gets a different trainer each week.) He's not the only one either. I've seen others like that. Either trained or naturally that laid back. (few and far in between, but they do exist.)

Honestly, I've yet to find a dog that does not react at least slightly to the can of pennies hurled in their direction. The reason I don't like squirt bottles is because I love grooming and my dogs occasionally need spraying/misting with water and hairspray. I mistakenly used spray bottles with my Peke when he was a puppy. He is now terrified of being misted with water or sprayed with hairspray. Water bottles are no longer a part of my training "regimen"!

[DrKym]

Tell your neighbors the truth .......................You don't bark unless you NEED to. Lived with a Basset for yrs and I am sorry wish my dobies had the chance to SHUT UP! (they bark if the wind blows) so just have Mama talk to the neighbors....................they will appreciate (in time) that you have it under control