Question:
Grrrrrrr. My dogs bark at EVERYTHING! Penny does it frequently, but Chaquita is the worst.

They bark at:
People outside
Animals outside
Moving cars
Arbitrary noises
If I set my cup down and it sounds like a "knock"
Lights outside
Paint drying

Ok, that last one was a joke. But seriously...it's bad! I've tried to teach the 'quiet' command by sitting calmly with Chaquita and telling her 'quiet' and praising her when she is, but then she's off again! I try yelling 'no!', but they keep going. I've tried clapping hard and slamming my hand on the table, but...nope. They may stop for a little bit (3-5 sec) or bark more quietly, but they don't shutup!

The only thing that partially works with Chaquita is staring her down in the eye while saying 'no' very calmly. But as soon as I look away, she starts growling and that leads to barking.

Even worse - when one starts, the other one starts!!

It's like they are in another world when they are barking! They hear nothing else. It's like when Jim watches TV. What can I do?

(I swear my next dog is gonna be a cat! )


Answer:
Have you tried distracting them with a toy when they start on a barking spree?


Answer:
yes and it works very few times. if they are intent on barking, they will.

when it does help, it helps for about 5 min. then they are back to it.

i want to teach them to really stop cause i said so, not JUST because they are distracted, though.


Answer:
btw- the only thing that really works for when they run out to the backyard on a barking frenzy is to call them back inside. sometimes they come right away and sometimes it takes about 30 sec to a min. but i think they know that since i got up and all that, that i'm serious.


Answer:
Originally Posted by Formula86
Grrrrrrr. My dogs bark at EVERYTHING!
Paint drying
(I swear my next dog is gonna be a cat! )

Our neighbor's dog was like that. He was blind and they would put him out on a chain and every little thing would set him off.
I don't have any suggestions for you, but Good Luck!


Answer:
Two things come to mind. One, maybe they don't view you as an adequate pack leader and feel like they have to be on guard all the time? Please don't take offense to this because it is quite common. Little dogs are soooo easy to spoil. Basic obedience goes a long way to controlling unwanted behavior. Making them sit before meals, before they go outside, before they get a treat, teaches them that you are boss. Two, perhaps they are bored and need more mental stimulation and exercise?


Answer:
Brenda has a point. Ever since I moved back home, my parents keep telling me how Lavander's stopped barking at every little thing. They keep insisting that she barks at EVERYTHING all the time and they didn't know what to do with her. After I came back, all she does is give the warning 3 - 4 barks then stops when I tell her to. She bullies almost everyone in my family, she doesn't beg for food, she DEMANDS food from my poor dad by barking at him and putting her paw on his leg and jumping all over him. I'm the only one in my family who doesn't give her a free ride i.e. she has to sit to go out, sit for food, sit for treats etc.

Lavander is not an alpha dog, she does not have the personality for it and I'm thinking that when I was away, no one in my family stepped in with authority and she felt she had to take the alpha role and keep the pack going and that made her nervous and frustrated. Now that I'm back and assuming the alpha role, she can relax knowing that someone in charge knows what they are doing. She's not as snappy as she was before either.

How's the barking situation going with you?


Answer:
Originally Posted by CTChin
Two things come to mind. One, maybe they don't view you as an adequate pack leader and feel like they have to be on guard all the time? Please don't take offense to this because it is quite common. Little dogs are soooo easy to spoil. Basic obedience goes a long way to controlling unwanted behavior. Making them sit before meals, before they go outside, before they get a treat, teaches them that you are boss. Two, perhaps they are bored and need more mental stimulation and exercise?
i take no offense! don't worry!

however, i do not spoil them. they always do a trick before a treat and i don't let them get away w/much. penny even attended puppy training classes. however, i think you are right about the exercise thing. i know they need more of it. now that i have the Gentle Leaders, i'll be taking them on more walks. it may help. although they are still barky when they've had tons of exercise, they aren't as bad.

thanks for the advice everyone!