dog behaviour query, what do i do now!?
I have two Chihuahuas, one is cross with jack russell and one pure.we moved to our house 4 months ago, they have large garden space, however they bark at everything ie bus drives by, car pulls up, kids playing in the street, they even bark at us even if we have the patio door open for them to come in.it feels like we cant win, the neighbour has now complained to me everyday.i have bought the anti-bark collars, tried to command them to stop, carming collars, castration. i keep them in the day when im at work and they have ripped up dvds from out the rack, ripped curtains and finally yesturday my leather suite, they are walked, have plenty of toys, treats (pigs ears), etc. I cannot understand why there behaviour is so bad i feel i have tried everything, my concern is i will be having a baby in 3 months, my neighbour has threatened to report the barking, and my funiture is ruined.why are they doing this, and hat can i do?
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Tags: 4 months, Anti Bark Collars, chihuahuas, curtains, funiture, garden space, having a baby, jack russell, leather suite, neighbour, patio door, pigs ears, toys
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
This is a bad situation. I don’t know how old your dogs are or how long you have had them. These dogs should be walked for at least 30 minutes twice a day. This would help tire them out. You also should be their pack leader. The timing of when you give them praise, when you give them treats and toys, etc is important. Reward a dog when they are displaying a behavior you don’t want, will encourage them to do it.
While you are gone, they should be in a crate. Dogs often feel secure in a crate and will like their little ‘house’ if it is introduced to them correctly. You can look up information on crate training on the web. I have two puppies and if I left hem alone, they would chew things up. I just say ‘bedtime’ and they get right in and I give them a treat.
Try looking at some techniques to stop them from barking:
http://www.vipdogs.com/stop-dog-barking/training2.html
I hope you find something that works. I know you love your dogs and that you need to find a way to take control of them before the baby comes. I also recommend going to the library and getting some books and dvds by he ‘dog whisperer’, Cesar Millan. His shows airs on the national geographic channel. He shows how to control your dogs behavior by becoming the pack leader. Much of his methods is basic psychology and believe it or not, learning this will help you also in parenting you child.
I hope that helps.
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
Are they competing with each-other? Would it help if you separated them?
My two dogs misbehaved appallingly when they were together, barking at people and going to the toilet inside. I had to rehome one of them, and the remaining dog has been a perfect angel ever since.
Have you spoken to a trainer? Perhaps someone professional may have some advice for you.
This website also offers some advice http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/LocalGovt/DogOwnership/Barking.asp .
Good luck!
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
i have 7 chihuahuas and i am the packleader.you must be the packleader also.one thing i do is to put the dog down.lay the dog on their side and hold their head and shoulder down with one hand and their rear down with the other.use just enough pressure to hold them in place.talk them in a firm voice.then start letting the pressure off until they try to wiggle out.at this point add some pressure to hold them down .now in a little softer voice say i am the boss and your not.with in a few mins the dog will submit and you can hold them with 2 fingers.dogs do not want to rule the world it is ok to for them to let you be the packleader.i never have to punish my dogs they know the rules and limits i have set for them.if i can help any more my email is packleaderh@yahoo.com
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
"hat can I do"?
August 21st, 2010 at 10:22 am
I understand your frustration totally! I had a similar problem when we moved last summer with our dogs and a co-worker recommended this program to us. It took about a 10 days but our dogs (Jake & Charlie) don’t bark and they’re better behaved than they were even before we moved. Ahhhhhhhh peace and quiet…
Good Luck!!
August 30th, 2010 at 6:53 am
I haven’t read his book, but I watch the show. He is amazing. I use his techniques on my dogs and have even trained some of my friend’s dogs. The best thing about it is that it usualy only takes a few minutes for the dog to get the message.