View Full Version : No idea what to do now
wchal
05-05-2008, 02:21 PM
In our home we have 2 maltese/shihtzus. My daughters has a deep bark and is a bit larger. Ours is 5 lbs and has the yipping bark of a maltese. They bark at EVERYTHING. If a doorbell rings on TV, if someone shuts a door somewhere in the house,anything they see or hear outside etc. The neighbors are not happy and now with the nice weather coming it will be worse. The have a doggy door they go thru to the fenced in area for them. If anyone is outdoors they bark at them. We have tried everything!!!! We tried rewarding them for being silent, making a noise like shaking pennys in a can, the spray collars, ultra sonic/sonic collars and the shock collars. They still bark. A new collar will work for a day or so then they totally ignore it. Also they are kenneled when we are away and during the night. 6 am every morning the small one starts barking non stop.I need help....they are family but the barking is to much I dont know what more to do have spent hundreds of dollars. Can someone please help me????:yikes:
RedyreRottweilers
05-05-2008, 03:06 PM
If I had companion dogs that I loved whose barking was causing such a problem, and such as you, I had exhausted all other avenues to try to modify or stop the barking, I would consider surgical debarking as the next reasonable option.
JMO as always.
PoodleMommy
05-05-2008, 03:30 PM
have you consulted a behaviorist or trainer?
one that comes into your home and works with you?
wchal
05-05-2008, 04:42 PM
We dont have a trainer in our area. The closest would be over a 2hour drive for them. My understanding is that this would run me over $1,000.00 for one visit.
Dekka
05-05-2008, 05:55 PM
We dont have a trainer in our area. The closest would be over a 2hour drive for them. My understanding is that this would run me over $1,000.00 for one visit.
Wow I do training and I would LOVE to get 1000 for one visit!
lizzybeth727
05-05-2008, 06:16 PM
How long have you had the dogs - individually and together? If they're not together (one dog is away for the day or whatever) do they bark this much or is it more manageable?
Have you checked www.apdt.com for a trainer? Or asked your vet for a referral?
Debarking might be your best option, but I'd definately consult with a trainer/behaviorist before taking such drastic measures. The trainer will be able to get to the root of the problem and probably solve many more problems, rather than simply making the barking stop.