Pet Lovers

Barking Shitzu Poodle

Pet Lovers

Posted by: Rach

10th Jan 2011 01:33pm

I have a 6 year old Shitzu Poodle that goes nuts barking when I leave the house and for 5 minutes solid every time I return. Its very embarrassing when I come home with friends and he barks silly and jumps over everyone. I can be gone for only 10min down the shop or a couple of hours - its the same response and he is driving me nuts ! Has anyone got any suggestions ?


Comments 17

Blossom
  • 28th Apr 2013 12:27pm

A friend of mine leaves a chew such as a pig's ear or something similar. It amuses her dog for ages and she doesn't bark unless really harrassed by a feral cat- there is a few in the area and they are feral not just strays. A Vet recently told me that feral cats will jump fences and attack dogs, cats and occasionally children even if the child has never seen it before and not gone near it.

livestar
  • 12th Sep 2012 10:33am

Hi there it is a Seperation problem what you can do is make one your self is go to a fabric store and get Fabric that is stretchy Lycra and make a suit for your Pup that is a tight fit all of his body make front leg and back leg holes and enough space so your pup can go to the toilet.
I had the same trouble with my pup and I was told to get a Puppy Comforter and when I had a Look it was $375.00 and all it was a Lycra Suit but the difference with the one I made and the one that I could have bought was its brand name now I make them for my puppy because what it does it is exactly what its name is a comforter it is like getting a cuddle 24 / 7 I wish there was something like this for us humans too.
When I started to use this on my puppy you will not the differennce because of courswe it will not work straight away because your puppy has gotten into a routine so gradually he will bark less as the day goes by and now everytime my puppy sees me pick up one of his home made Comforters he comes running to me but just remember do what I did after I put it on him give him or her a treat. He or She will love you like my little Terry Junior does

simla
  • 20th Apr 2013 09:54pm
Hi there it is a Seperation problem what you can do is make one your self is go to a fabric store and get Fabric that is stretchy Lycra and make a suit for your Pup that is a tight fit all of his...

Hi livestar, that comforter sounds brilliant, i can see the logic behind the idea and would try that first, especially with anxious and nervous dogs.
The latest anti barking collar that I saw Dr Harry demonstrate used a citronella spray that distracted the dog when it started barking. Also would keep the flys off in summer! Kill tow birds with one stone!

simla
  • 6th Sep 2012 02:24am

Hi, I agree with all the tips so far. one other that worked for me on an impossible terrier. was to put a medium tight[so they can pant /drink]headstall-type muzzle on them say NO.in a deep growling voice.[ if the nose is long enough.] only leave it on for ,say 10 mins till the dog quiets down ,then take it off and reward the dog. took two weeks of consistent work.

Ladypolanna
  • 28th Aug 2012 10:43am

I noticed a lot of good comments about how to stop the dog from barking when you get home and when other people come to the door (teaching him commands to stop barking, settling him) but I think you should also address the barking that happens when you leave the house because this would be the time he would be the most anxious. Have a chat to your vet and see if they can recommend a good trainer who can work with you through these issues using positive reinforcement. They should be able to take you through a programme to teach him how to settle on command through periods of increasing distraction levels. Of course, your friends will also have to help you in this (ie not paying attention to him when he's barking and jumping).

Be careful of Caesar Milan. Most of his theories and techniques are outdated and no longer accepted in veterinary behaviour. Victoria Stilwell from "It's me or the dog" is better.

Good luck!

Whuskey
  • 23rd Aug 2012 12:10am

We have a Rather Annoying Shitzu Also, No Matter Who is in the House, As soon as my friend Comes home, Hes at the door wagging his tail, looking like its gonna slingshot off, yelping and whining. When someone comes in the house, hes all over them expecting Pets... Even when you pet him he is still yapping.. Drives me Crazy!

TheMatchstickMan
  • 28th Oct 2011 12:54pm

Your dog's bark is a cry of "Mummy don't leave me - alone"
One solution is to get another dog - but this is not always practical.
What worked for me was:
1) Teach your dog to 'speak' on command. You say: "Sit" and then "Speak! " . Give praise and or reward for a single bark.
Repeat this many times.
Then when you are sure the dog 'has it'
Teach it the "Shuss" command.
After saying "Speak" and allowing some vocal exercise, you now say "Shuss" and again reward the results.
This takes a little time - but you can do it while walking your dog or playing in the garden.
If you have neighbors who are bothered by your dog barking you can share this with them. It works for me !

fosil53
  • 28th Oct 2011 09:11am

how much excersise do you give it and take him out on walks get it used to you coming and going

jonas
  • 6th Aug 2011 01:17pm

Your dog is most likely suffering from seperation anxiety, you are probably reinforcing this by paying him attention when you get home so that he becomes quiet.
I would establish a programme where when you come home everytime (without exception) you ignore him until he settles. I would also establish a mat or spot of somesort where you call them to it and it becomes the place where they get attention. This way you will be able to call "on your mat" and he will go there and sit and await a treat/pats. This way he should extinguish the behaviour where he gets excited and has a spot to go to where he feels comfortable and is pretty much ensured reinforcement.
You also mention jumping up; this is not a good behaviour to reinforce. everytime your dog jumps up on you quickly turn your back so he falls onto the ground. then call for him to sit, then reinforce him with attention or treats.
make sure you mention this to everyone who comes through your door and lives in your house, soon you will have a dog that doesnt jump on people and will sit next to people for attention. This is much better for yourself as well as guests who dont like to be jumped on.
I would not recommend the bark collars because although they work quickly, they cause lasting phyioslogical and psychological damage.
Best of luck.

Steph
  • 19th Feb 2011 10:04am

you should check out The Dog Whisperer either online or in a book from the library. Basically, he says that when you come home, you do not talk to the dog, make eye contact with the dog or touch them. If you give attention or affection while the dog is excited, you are encouraging them to be excited and teaching that you WANT them to be excited. Also, yelling at them to stop adds excitement--hey look!! the people are shouting too!! Also, it sound like your dog has a lot of pent up energy. Walking your dog 30-60 mins a day is very good for draining that energy. Check out what he has to say about mastering the walk. his name is Cesar Millan

Rach
  • 15th Feb 2011 04:34pm

Thanks for all your replies.....I have tried ignoring him when I get home to the point where I dont speak just hold him really tight and he has stopped barking now when I arrive home. But still wont stop whenever anyone else comes to the door....well I guess 1 out of 2 is not bad !

Mrs carbis
  • 11th Feb 2011 08:56pm

yes take him with you if you can, its a sign he dosnt want to be left alone and hes frightened you wont be comming back.

Wen
  • 4th Feb 2011 12:29am

Your dog probably suffers from separations anxiety. When you come home don't make a fuss just say hello and when it jumps up a firm No. Use its name first then No and Sit. have a treat ready for when it obeys. Hope this helps

stretch
  • 13th Jan 2011 12:54pm

well lets see
i dont like the anti bark collar for starters it effects the dog in latter life sore throat kind of thing
you may need to leave the house and walk back in when the dog strts to bark and say no point at the pets sleep area and make the dog go there dont cuddly and pat the pouch as he will believe he is ok
you must try and teach your pet no it takes time but is worth it
and it takes patients
also you can teach an old dog new tricks
also he is trying to say hey dudet you forgot to take me with you all dogs love human attention
when you walk the dog make sure he understands no means he is doing wrong
hope this helps

Anonymous
  • 13th Jan 2011 06:59am

i had the same problem with out dogs the problem is you have to let the dog bark it will stop soon or their are barking collars they do work or toys treats

stretch
  • 13th Jan 2011 12:58pm
Hi there it is a Seperation problem what you can do is make one your self is go to a fabric store and get Fabric that is stretchy Lycra and make a suit for your Pup that is a tight fit all of his...

question
have you ever seen the insides of a dogs throat
the collar emits an ultra high frequency after long time use it hurts the inside of the throat
i put one on a person that was a pain and put on a tape of a dog howling he never ticked me of again
talk to the vet in regards to the device and long term use
oh by the way dont put the collar on some one you like as it leaves a small burning feeling in the humans throat and the cops said i was cruel
when i asked if the dog had made a comment in regards to retrying the collar for training on humand she said no but the dr was not happy with me

Jed
  • 12th Jan 2011 03:49pm

I think this one needs Dr Harry, but I haven't seen him for a while..... Mmmmmm!!

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