Our Dog's Barking Drives Me Crazy!

There is a product you can get that attaches to the dogs collar. When the dog barks he gets sprayed with, I think, citronella. The dog hates it and stops barking. My sister-in-law uses it on her dog an it works!

One device we have used with mixed results is a barking collar. It is a battery operated device that shocks the dog in the neck when it barks. Local pet stores sell them. Good luck!

Binaca. A little squirt of Binaca in the dog's mouth every time he starts might quell the behavior. Worth a shot (ha ha ha).

Charlene,
Put away the spray bottle and scolding. These create fear and even trauma.
This bread barks.

This will take patience and cooperation from everyone in the family but it works.

Go get a ton of treats and a clicker. find out what treat your dog likes best and would do anything for. Freeze dried liver is a great one, or something a simple as a hot dog. This is called his A treat. This does not have to be food, it can be a toy *only used when training* or if your dog responds best to love and attention, that works too.
Tell yourself you are working on this issue and that it WILL work. Imagine it working, and imagine your dog behaving exactly like you want him/her to. This is vital.

Start this in a quite non distracting environment.
Create a cue such as "sit" or "come" or even "quiet".
When the dog is quit, click (or use a praise word like Yes! or any other short word with enthusiasm.
obviously in a kitchen asking your dog not to bark it was probably not barking in the first place. Do this at least 50 times. They do not have to be in a row. Than try it all over the house, when ever you think about it, and the dog is quit cue and praise (treats, etc.) than have your husband leave the house and knock on the door, this will ensue barking, please do not scold. Rather, ask for the cue and praise like crazy when they finally stop barking. This may clarify in the dogs mind why he has been being praised for what he may view as nothing. Repeat this until you get no bark from the knock on the door. Take a break. Ignore all barking, and ask for the cue. Have a friend or neighbor come and knock on the door, same thing, ask for the cue. Some people train their dogs to got to a kennel when there is a knock on the door.
so you decide what you want your dog to do. Again, when they do it praise the heck out of them and reward them. If you use a clicker, click the exact moment the behavior appears that you want.
ask as many people as you can to participate, and in any situation when your dog barks. On walks, while sitting in the car have people come and give treats through the window, etc.

This takes time. The more you practice the better this works.
church groups are often willing to help with things like this, or neighbors (likely they would like the barking to stop too)

I let my dog get away with one bark, just to alert me someone is at the door etc. I even thank him for telling me.

your dog has made himself a job to protect the house and scare away the intruders. dogs make up their own jobs if we don't give them some. Barking is also addictive so it is likely since your dog has been doing it for a while that it will get worse before it gets better.

Be patient and visualize your dog exactly as you want him. This really is a key component.

Hug your dog, and I wish you good luck.

Try taking a can (a coke can, etc) and fill it with about a handful of pennies. Tape the end. When the dog barks, shake it. We have 3 dogs, and all have been trained not to bark (unless person or such is on our property unannounced). It's really difficult to live with an animal that is causing these type of feelings. We had an issue like this when we adopted our first dog. It was just so unhappy in our home and I felt we all made a mistake. Thankfully, the solutions were much easier than I thought. It was night/day. He's the best dog we've ever had! GOOD LUCK. I know it's really hard when the balance isn't there....and an endless barking dog...ug. Even the best of us have a difficult time with that. Hang in there.

It sounds like the dog is a disruption to your household and child and you should find it a home where it's barking isn't causing fear. with baby on the way, i say put your kids before the dog and don't beat yourself up over it!

Hello Charlene,

I have a lab mix that has gone through similar problems--if you think your dog has a loud bark...Lab plus Ridgeback sounds like a lion roaring!!!

I went to a dog trainer that specializes in this and other annoying behaviors. Here's what I learned:

1. Dogs are not people
2. Dogs respond to boundaries
4. Results take time and consistancy
3. People have to trust in the outcome

Find an enclosed space i.e. bathroom, store room, etc. When your dog barks, give the command, "that's enough." If he barks again, immediately say, "too bad" and take him quickly to the enclosed room. [this is the hard part--this is a boundary, not a punishment] You have to wait until he stops barking to let him out and praise him.

What I learned is, at first, it will feel like an eternity of barking, but HANG IN THERE!!! When the barking has stopped for at least a count of 5, you are good to go. Let him out and say, "good dog," but then ignore him. If you do this consistantly, your dog will surprise you and you will find that he will be calmer and more manageable.

Remember: This is not a child; this is a dog and they think differently than humans do. He will learn that you are setting boundaries with him, not being cruel unless you do the exercise with an angry voice. This dog wants YOU to be in charge. Right now he thinks he has to be the house leader.

If I can do this (I am a push over, believe me...) then you can do it!

My Best to you,

M.

Your anger at your dog is not good for you, your son or your dog. You will not harm you son if you get rid of the dog. Your dog will be much happier somewhere else where it can have more attention. It is far easier to find a good home for a 5 year old dog than an 8, 10 or 12 year old dog. I regret not getting rid of my dog when my son was a baby...she was a barker that got worse when my son came along because I didn't have as much time or attention for her. By the time my son was 4 she was so bad and so bitter she started snapping at him and then I had to put her down because no one wanted a 12 year old dog that barked all the time and snapped at kids. And I couldn't risk her seriously harming my son. He handled it quite well. We took a break from a dog for almost 2 years and then we found a dog that fit our family better.

Hi Charlene-
We got a citrus spray collar for our dog (an 8yr old westie). THe barking drove me up the wall too- especially when she woke the baby from her nap! The collar just sprays a citronella mist out towards her face when she barks and she doesn't bark now when she wears it. The cons though are that it was kinda pricey- like $100, and you can't leave it on all the time. So we just put in on when her barking starts to annoy us, or when I'm putting kids down for their nap. We had tried a beeping collar, and this works far better. We didn't want to try the shock collar. Hope that helps!
K.

I know a lot of people will disagree with me - but have you tried a bark collar? They have some that will spray a lemon / water mixture when the dog barks. We've had the best luck with one that gives a small electric shock. It's remote controlled so we can use it for behavior other than barking and can control the level of jolt. We've only used the jolt a couple of times and now just have to use the sound to correct our dog.

We have a mean cat that we hoped would get along with our little girl, but unfortunately, they are scared of each other and our cat swipes if our daughter pushes her boundaries. We can't give her away, because honestly she's old, can't handle change and she wouldn't warm up to anyone (she's only really nice to me and tolerates my husband) and we're worried that she would be hurt or put down because of her bad disposition. What's most disheartening, is that our 2 3/4 year old daughter is now scared of many pets and doesn't know what it's like to have a real pet. Unfortunately, you could be setting up your son with the same problem - he doesn't see how to interact with his dog from you and your husband.

I think you do have some options with your dog. I know that male dogs can bark a lot more than females. My dad has a few black labs and two were rescue dogs as old puppies (7-8 months old). The male barked like crazy and I honestly didn't think there was any hope for him. They still have some behavioral issues, but in just over a year of being consistent they are A LOT better.

If you want to invest time in your dog, talk to your vet to see what he/she would recommend. Make sure your husband is there and that you two are being consistent together. It does no good if you're on different plains with the dog (which sounds like has been a big factor in the past).

However, I would say that it might be time to find a home for your dog that can give him all he needs. He might be bored or not understand the pecking order in your home and just need a different family that will understand him better. There are dachshund rescue organizations out there and many, many people want one (in fact, we want a female one when our daughter is a little older and our cat is - hopefully by then - passed on). They would help adopt him out and find the right family for him.

You're doing a disservice to your son to keep the dog around just for him if you can't stand the dog. Explain that your dog would be much happier in another home because he's just not happy at your home and that he'd have more fun somewhere else. Maybe you can find someone who would let your son see him a few times a year for the first year. Your son is at the age where he most likely won't remember the dog (outside of photos) when he's older. Just make sure he knows that you're doing the good/right thing for the dog, and that there is no way that would ever happen with him. He might not be old enough yet to worry about that, but because there's a new baby on the way, you don't want him to feel like you're getting rid of him too.

I do think that if you don't have the time or energy to put into the dog right now (which I can see - especially with a baby on the way), it's best to place him with someone who does and will love him. Good Luck!! :-)

Hello ~
Part of the problem is hard wired in the dog. Doxies are hounds and by nature and breeding are loud and busy. I'm not sure training class would make much difference, because, after all, it'd still be a hound.

My suggestion is to look closely at the problem. You say you HATE this dog. If you really hate the dog, find it a new home. Your son may like the dog, but no animal should live it's life in a space where it is hated. After you find the dog a new home, you can get a kitten for your son - he'll be thrilled and they are quiet. However, do you really hate the dog, or are you angry at something else and taking it out in feelings for the dog? Just double check your feelings and motivation.

Either way, doggie needs a new home,

Daschshunds bark. That is part of their nature. But they shouldn't drive their owner's up the wall. You are probably a bit more sensitive because you are more tired than usual at this time. But you need solution not explanation.

My best solution would be to watch The Dog Whisperer, Ceasar Milan, or It's Me or the Dog. Both seem to be extremely effective at assessing and changing dog behavior. It might help.

Hi Charlene,

I have a 5 y.o. Maltese with the same problem, and I know most people don't like this answer...but the one thing that worked for me is a shock collar. When he starts to get out of hand, I put it on him and boy does he shut up quickly~! At this point all I have to do is show it to him and the barking stops immediately, but at first it took a week or two of pushing the remote as soon as he got worked up into what I call a "barking frenzy" for him to get the correlation. But he certainly gets it now...and it means I'm not yelling at him in front of my four kids...and he gets to keep his family!

Good Luck,

D. P.

Hi Charlene,

I may be worth looking into a citronella spray bark collar, if you have not already. The collars spray the dog in the face each time they bark. There are also shock collars for barking if the citronella one doesn't work for you. Another option would be a bark box, a small electronic device that hangs on the wall that emits a sound whenever the dog barks. Down side to these are you may need more than one depending on how your home is configured and where the dog goes. Most of the bark boxes you can set to either give a sound that is audible to humans to one that is not audible to humans. You could even think about talking to a canine behaviorist, if you wanted to. Also, be sure to give the dog attention when he is not barking, so that he doesn't feel that he has to bark just to get your (negative) attention. I know it can be hard because it can just be so relieving to not have to hear the barking that you just want to get on with things in your day. Just remember that ultimately you want the best for your family and the dog, so don't rule out any options. If you truly can't put any more effort or time into the dog than a new home for the dog may be the best choice for everyone involved.

Good Luck!
S.

Hi Charlene - We had a dog that barked very loud (at almost everything). It was worse because I was working graveyard at the time, Yep no fun. We tried the collars but they did not work for him. We finally took our dog to the vet & had him "de-barked" it ended up being the best thing for us. The surgery was fairly simple, basically they took part of his voice box away. After he healed from the incision he was able to still bark but in just a much much lower volume. He thought he was still barking because of the vibration he felt but we along with our neighbors were able to sleep during the day as well as at night. Some people thought it was cruel but when we explained the situation & that our dog did not know he was de-barked they understood better. Had we not done this one of the other possibilities was to get rid of our dog & that was worse than the de-barking. It (his bark) does sound a little funny at first but because of that our relationship with our dog & our neighbors was way better. Good luck with your dog & family.

Here is a tip that stopped barking and is approved by my animal behaviorist daughter. Spraying with water is almost the ticket but not quite. Here is what I learned, and utilized with great success. Take a 3oz Dixie cup and fill it with water when the dog barks you throw the cup of water at the dogs face and say "quiet". After only a half a dozen repetitions or so the dog will stop barking at the word "quiet" and will have a negative association and stop barking at the word quiet. This is even more effective when desired behavior is rewarded with a small treat. Dogs by and large are food motivated. He just doesn't understand your desires, and you have to make it crystal clear in his language. He wants to please you, he just doesn't know how. Kind of like with parenthood you do get an "opt out", so you have to find what works and keep trying until you succeed. Also the success will in turn give you a rewarding good feeling, as well as a companion to share affection with you.

Good luck with your dog training and your new baby.

T. Nelson CD

We have used a no-bark collar filled with citronella. It is sensitive to sound so anytime the dog barks it sprays citronella under his nose - no shock, no pain - just a smell they don't like. It didn't stop our dog's initial barking but it keeps her from the non-stop, crazy barking.
I feel your pain - we have two dogs who are basically well-behaved but I still get crazy-angry at them sometimes and I worry how that affects my daughter. I try to just put them outside when I'm feeling "on-edge". Still, I think they can distinguish between anger at THEM and anger at the animals. I hope, at least!

I think if at all possible you need to try to work through this with the dog. Some of the other posters had some good ideas for modifying his behavior. He also is probably bored and needs more exercise. If he will fetch things, you could try spending 10 or 20 minutes throwing a ball for him. (If he doesn't fetch you could spend a few minutes every day teaching him to fetch). Your son would probably find it entertaining to watch him play fetch and soon might be able to play fetch with the dog (under supervision) keeping them both busy and entertained.

I think giving the dog away should be a last resort because it sends the message to your children that pets are disposable and not living creatures that we take life long responsibility for when we get them. Your son might even worry that you will just give him away when you are angry with him.

It also teaches children that it's ok to just give up on finding solutions to problems instead of working through them.

I hope you can find something that solves the problem.

I'm sure this is far from the popular choice but find a good home and give it away. With a new baby on the way you really don't need the stress. Your son is young enough that any loss he feels will disapate quickly and you will be a much nicer happier mom without all the yapping.

Hello Charlene,
wow, you sound a lot like me! I feel like our situation is very similar. We have decided to put our dog, Dixie, in her crate much more. It has seemed to calm her down so she's not barking as near as much. It's been a good tool for us. I was feeling the same way that I don't have the desire, time or energy to put her in ANOTHER class. Anyway, I hope this helps. You may have already tried putting your dog in its crate, but if not here you go. :-)
Good luck!
J.

Hi Charlene,

I would also suggest you find your dog a new home; your son will cope. He's about to have a new sister and he and you and your husband need as little stress as possible!

Plus your dog deserves to be with a family that will be delighted to have him around.

Through the years, I have found 4 stray or abandoned dogs. In each case, I had great success contacting the rescue group of the dog's breed - even when the dog was only partly that breed. For example, I once found a mutt that was mostly Schipperke. I located the Schipperke rescue group in Austin (where I was living at the time) and they agreed to take her even though she wasn't a "pure" breed.

In each case, by the way, the dogs had no collars and were found in parks. I contacted the Pound and gave them the dog's info in case a family was looking for them. But in each case, no one ever claimed them and the rescue groups found them good homes - I know this because the rescue groups kept me updated until the dog was in a lasting home; they even sent me pictures.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention that - with a toddler and a baby on the way, it might seem overwhelming to find your dog a new home. I would google Dachsund Rescue plus the town/city you live in and go from there.

Good luck! M.

-- it's not an odd question at all, dear heart--- nothing is worse than a dog that drives you bonkers. My first suggestion ( I promise - NOT another class --lolol) is to call around and find a phone # for Daschund-rescue - ( no, not suggesting you give 'im away--- ) -- when you connect - you will be talking to someone who loves this breed, understands them- and can give you specific advice tailored just for THIS breed. --- tell them your level of frustration, temptation - the whole story- and they likely can help you -- becasue your situation is untenable -- I am so sorry.

I'm a life-time dog person- but not this breed. My own personal suggestion is set up a time out area for the dog- a crate, or a back porch- or ---- if a crate- put a towell over it so it is really secluded. When dog barks - goes to time out til he's quiet- if it takes hours- ( sorry- ) the first time - 2nd time should be quicker - and IGNORE him after he's put there til he's quiet.

2nd suggestion-- ( oh, you will think I amcompletely bonkers) play ''quiet'' and he only gets his VERY favorite food- cheese- chicken -whatever-- when he is quiet. ( the treat bites should be tiny) Make '''quiet'' the operant word 4 or 5 play times a day.

Blessings-

Old Mom
aka-
J.

all the dog whisperers would say your dog is stressed for some reason. on that show "it's me or the dog", she talks about re-conditioning the dog with bits of chicken. For instance, determine what triggers the dog's barking and use bits of chicken to praise it when it's not barking. you have to IGNORE the negative behaviors and praise only the good. I would recommend watching the show if you can, sort of like supernanny for doggies! good luck

Charlene,

You could try what my chosen family did with their Cocker Spaniel when he was young. Every time the dog barked or woofed they, and I, would firmly tap him on the nose and say "no bark". It's kinda the same thing as training your kids not to yell/run/fight in the house.

As a totally different tangent: It's amazing to me how well "Sit, stay" works on my 5 year old son. Who says dog and kid training aren't alike?

Hope this helps,
Melissa

Hello,

I am sorry to read about your dog's barking and how much it is bothering you. I am struggling with how to respond to this request as I am saddened by all the unprofessional advice given. Dog behavior has always been one of those areas that most people have no problem giving advice, even if the only dog they have worked with is their own.

I'm going to try to calmly give you information, so that you can make an educated decision about your dog's barking.

Reasons for barking:
Watchdog barking, Request (Demand) Barking, Spooky (Fearful) barking and Boredom barking and Separation Anxiety barking.

These reasons for barking are not all treated the same. It is important to know what kind of barking you have before you try and "fix" it. Getting at the root of the problem is so important to a successful outcome. For an EXCELLENT article on barking please go to the SF SPCA's website. Top dog trainer, Jean Donaldson has written a great 4 page article on barking.

www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/index_library.shtml

I want to also give you some input on the different options that have been suggested to you in previous posts.

Suggestions:

Shake Can - shake cans are used to startle a dog to stop it from barking, jumping up and other problem behaviors - the DOWN SIDES to shake cans - they work by making a dog fearful of loud noises. It can transfer to children playing with loud items, thunder, the dropping of items to the floor (pans, cans etc.) The fear of shake can noises can become a fear of all loud noises - not what you want around a child.

Squirt guns - Works because most dogs find a fast blast of water to the face, body unpleasant. Children quickly become a source of YUCKY during those warm summer times when water guns come out. Dogs do not understand the difference between squirt guns for barking and squirt guns for play. They can quickly see children as a source of unpleasantness - which is never a good idea as the stats stand - 1 out of 2 children is bit - and usually be the "family" dog.

Bianca - in order to squirt bianca in a dog's mouth, one must first grab the dog and open mouth. Dog will VERY quickly learn that human hands are horrible and you and extreme amount of trust from your dog, plus the possibly of a bite. I would highly suggest that you avoid spraying anything in or at your dog to stop barking.

Bark Collars - shock and citronella - I much prefer citronella to shock for a various reason, but the biggest reason is that shock works because it causes pain and I'm not into causing pain to dogs for doing a behavior that is as natural to them as talking is to us. Can you imagine getting shocked everytime you opened your mouth. Yuck!

I still find it interesting that dogs are the ONLY animals that are punished for making their natural noises - cows moo, cat meow, horses neigh and NONE of them get punished the way that dogs do.

I hope that you solve your barking problem as your little dog deserves the best loving family possible. Our dogs did not pick us, we picked them to be a part of our families and if we aren't happy, they aren't happy. I hope your family finds peace in your dog behavior journey.

Positively,
M. Hughes
Retired (while my daughter is young) professional dog trainer.
SFSPCA CTC March 2000
APDT CPDT 2001

I used to have a mini dachshund too. She also turned into a barker. I used to think a shock collar was cruel. Not anymore. The first thing we did was try it out to see how bad the shock is. It makes you say ow, but not to an extreme degree. We got the kind that starts off with a mild shock and then if the barking continues, it gets stronger. All it took was one shock. She was done barking.

Good luck!
S.

I agree with Becky L's advice: if at all possible, get rid of this dog. It's a poor match for your needs, and your son will adjust better than you think.

At about your son's age, my grandboy lost a very old family dog, and his mom simply told him that the dog had to go somewhere else. No tears, no suffering for the child (much harder on mommy). Kids are very present moment, and usually adapt quickly to change when handled gently by the parents.

Speaking as a "neighbor," I'm sensitive to noise, and have a very hard time with barking dogs. The sound is penetrating and percussive, and becomes genuine torture over time (as you have noticed). We had a neighbor with a very loud dog that was kenneled outside and kept me (and other neighbors) miserable for nearly nine years. We live in the country, and this sharp noise carries well for miles around.

I had days when I wept with misery over the constant noise that insinuated itself into every activity, even if I was wearing earplugs and keeping all the windows closed. I had days when I ached to poison or strangle that dog, and I'm a pretty sane person, as well as a soft-hearted animal lover who has had some wonderful pets. (I could never have actually harmed it - it was just a desperate fantasy.)

I was so grateful when those neighbors moved away that I literally wept with relief on several quiet days that followed. Your neighbors are even more helpless to do anything about your dog's barking than you are. Be merciful.

Lots of good advice below, and of course you have read and read... I would concur with the others who say to use the Citronella collar and crate. Crating will make a HUGE difference in behavior. Isolate that dog as soon as it barks and also at times when you know you are likely to have barking (e.g., you will have friends coming over, mailman time of day, etc.) In the beginning you need to start by isolating for long periods to re-establish pack structure and reaffirm your authority. Basically, the dog cannnot come out unless you allow him out and only when he is behaving in a manner you deem acceptable. The Monks of New Skete, whom you probably have read, describe the pack leader (handler) as a fair tyrant. I always reflect back on that when wondering if I am "being mean" by isolating. Nope...we're humanizing too much. The crate creates a happier more stable dog when used -consistently. In the beginnning you will isolate all day, with potty, walking and meal breaks only. Do this for a few days, up to a week depending on how he is behaving (is he calm and quiet in the crate? If so, he is earning his right to join the family again). And yes, keep the bark collar on in the crate so he gets instant consequence for bad behavior. As the days pass, reduce the time in the crate for a few days, putting him in preventatively, and of course if he ever barks, etc.) You should figure out a nice crate-time schedule for him when you will put him in there - for example, let him out after nighttime (he should sleep in crate)for potty, walk or a bit of play/fun time, then back he goes in; do that a few times a day. As you get through the first period of isolation, then set up a routine that works where he can be out a lot more but still use that crate for times such as when you are out of the house, when you need to take care of some things at home without dog in your way, etc.

The Citronella (or even shock collar) will provide an immediate consequence to the unwanted behavior, and relieve you from having to reprimand constantly. When he is quiet and doing what you want, like lazing around nicely, mark his good behavior with praise and even a small treat.

It will take time - no quick fix. This is really not a training class thing b/c the issue is in the home and with pack structure and behavior.

Check out www.leerburg.com - they have an extensive, very well monitored blog. It is really great.

Good luck - this is not a fast fix, but very do-able.

Get the Doggy Dazer! You can find it on Amazon: it's a small remote looking thing that emits a frequency that only dogs can hear & will work in conjunction with verbal ques to get him to stop barking. It's also used to stop dogs from attacking. We used it on our neighbor's yappy dogs and what a difference! After a while the dog no longer needs the Dazer, just the sound of your CALM voice will get him to be quiet. Unless your dog is deaf: they don't appear to work with deaf dogs. Dogs do not like the Dazer, but it WORKS and is harmless. Only costs about $27 with regular shipping.

I would say call the Humane Society. They will have ideas for you and possibly classes for the dog.

Your dog might be frightened - never punish him for being a dog.

I have 3 dogs, one barks a lot - when he thinks he hears things & when he wants attention.

When he does hear something - like a car in our driveway - we tell him "good boy" - because he is doing his job!

When he's just hearing things - we show him there's nothing to bark at.

When it's to get attention - we just keep telling him NO & to go lay down.

It would be best to show your child that pets are a responsibility (like children) that you don't just give up because it's hard to deal with.

I get frustrated with them too - but I would do anything to protect them.

Oh my gosh, you sound just like me! Our dog has very little sense & I too struggle to be sensitive to how I handle her especially because our 5 & 2 year old are watching. To help "remind" our Quincy to maintain her boundaries (jumping, whining, etc) we finally resorted to an electric shock collar. At first I thought it seemed extreme, but my father-in-law (who has raised this breed for years) recommended it after the dog continued to resist traditional training techniques (we were at wits end). It WORKS. After reading the manual regarding proper use, it really isn't cruel. They can run around $150 or more, but the kind we bought has both an audio beep as well as the electric shock. We almost never even use the electric option, as the sound of the beep startles her enough to obey. It basically like a clicker with a little extra incentive. In order to use it effectively we needed to train the behavior we wanted associated with the beep (in our case since she's a jumper--come to mommy & sit quietly). It has helped maintain my own sanity, as disciplining filled with emotion/anger is fruitless (with kids & animals!). This way the dog responds & I remain a calm "alpha mama"
I hope this helps!
-R.

Have you tried a Citronella collar or shock collar? The Citronella collar lets off the Citronella when he barks. The shock collar you would have to be there when he barks to give him a low threshhold zap. Then follow it up with good no bark and a treat (if you want some form of positive training).

I had American Eskimos (and mine were yippers) and the Citronella worked great. I now have a Golden Retriever and the Citronella worked great too.

Good luck and be consistent-dogs are like kids in a lot of ways. I know how frustrating the barking can be!!

Bark collar. my parents have a chiwawa/jack russel mix that barks all the time and they have a little zapper that gives a small electric current when he barks. that will discourage the behaviour. BTW: we have a german dog (weimeraner) as well, and they are stubborn things. Training, etc unless you are super vigilent, can be futile at times with these creatures. Best of luck to you!

I know a lot of people don't believe in them, but I've had good luck with the bark collars. Yes, they "zap" your dog, but it catches on not to bark fairly quickly. There are more humane bark collars that spray your dog with citronella smell, but they are over $100. You can get the other bark collars for $40 or so. Try www.petplanet.com for the cheapest online price. Of course, if you live near a PetSmart or PetCo, you can find them there, but I live in a pretty rural area :-)

Please don't say you "hate" your dog :-( He's your child, too. Just an unruly one right now.

Good luck,
S

Bark Collar. They're inexpensive and they work. Sportsmans/Cabelas. Your dog will learn to stop barking...

I don't blame you. I don't like dogs barking either. IT's extremely annoying. dachsunds tend to bark a lot but not as much as what you are describing. They mainly bark when a stranger goes by the house, or approaches the house.

I had a neighbor who "debarked" her dog with surgery. Some people thought this was cruel, however, I noticed when I observed the dog it barked almost non-stop. This is cruel to the owner in my opinion. (The bark it had after surgery sounded like a soft whisper). The only other way to deal with this is to put the dog down, or to give it away to someone who lives on a farm where no one else can hear!

Having sudden loud noises is very stressful. Don't underestimate how much it can affect you. I'm a musician, so I know the power of sound - both good and bad.

Try a bark collar. We have one for our dog. We also had tried everything, with no luck. We have the one that will shock the dog when barking too much. It gives a warning beep for the first bark and then a shock if they continue. It does not hurt the dog and you can set it a 1 of 10 different levels. It says that it is no stronger than the shocks we can get walking around and touching something. There is one that sprays out some smell that is also supposed to stop them. I have also heard that with the spray one, you can go through lots of the spray refills in a short time! I've only used the shock one and have had luck. I don't have him wear it all the time. I have heard of stories where they tried the collar for a short time and the dog stopped the constant barking. I would say it is worth a try.

Our male mini dachshund also does this. The vet says to check the parents of the dog because if the parent barks a lot, the puppies will. I did breed his mom to a barker. My husband adores this dog even though he annoyes me. When we go camping he would sit in his little fenced yard and bark. I got a squirt bottle that would make a long stream and get his face. He would hide inside their little tent and peak out with one eye. He is so funny. It worked then, but not in the house. Trying to crate him didn't work, because we couldn't catch him. When the door bell rings, he goes crazy! We finally broke down and got the collar. I never wanted to do this, thought it was cruel, but his barking was cruel to my ears. Hahaha.
He has learned that when the collar is on, he will get a snap if he barks, so just having the collar on makes him stay quiet. I would suggest the remote one. We have the vibration one, but it is so heavy for their size so we don't leave it on all of the time. They work!

Hi Charlene,
Another training class would probably do you no good. What you need is a behaviorist. Ask your vet for suggestions. A behaviorist would come into your home and assess the situation, and help you and the dog get to the root of the problem (most dogs, if not in a stressful situation, won't sit around a bark all the time) and figure out how to fix it. Think "the dog whisperer". It really does work, and would be worth the money and time spent to teach your son that you don't just give away pets when they annoy you.
Good luck!

what about a bark collar? you can get it at the pet store.

Try filling gatorade bottle, or some small bottle, with small rocks. Each time the dog starts barking, have it handy. Hold your hand out, palm toward the dog, saying quietly, "Quiet, Dog's Name!" and then shake the bottle rapidly towards the dog 2 or 3 times. Repeat as necessary. After a few weeks of this, if it slows the barking down, try just saying the command and holding your hand up to the dog. Ours will be quiet for a bit and then settle in being quiet for longer periods of time as I repeat it. Praise for the dog each time they are quiet helps. All I have to do is pick the bottle up with a small shake and she goes running for her crate now. Good Luck, I.