Barking and Separation Anxiety

    • Bronze

    Barking and Separation Anxiety

    I have a 17month old neutered teacup poodle named Rockit. My boyfriend and I moved froma house in the suburbs to a condo in the city about 5 months ago. Once we moved in, it was apparent that Rockit had a "barking problem." He barks at all the neighbors closing their doors, talking, and the elevator. We shushed him, ignored him, chased him, and I have once in a while patted his booty (he's only 4lbs so i cant bear to discipline him physically), and have resorted to a bark collar....all of this has done little to stop his barking. The idea of the bark collar was good, but now i realize that that main problem is i want him to be comfortable with the condo sounds. When i return home and th elevator bings hes not barking so i think maybe hes just protecting us when we are home. Do i need to get a trained to stop him instinctive barking??? I dont know what to do b/c I dotn want to get kicked out of my condo...if anyone has any advice or reccomendations for trainers, i live in Chicago, IL.

     

    The other issue is his separation anxiety, this is less of a problem, he parks for a little bit after we leave him alone, and also tries to prevent me from getting into the shower by jumping on my leg...I think both problems are simliliar...his separation anxiety and barking to protect us... do i need a professional b/c im not sure what to do...

    • Gold Top Dog

    I have some questions and suggestions for ya:

    How much out of the condo exercise does he get? It sounds like he has a lot of pent up energy that needs to be redirected. That energy and lack of a job to do is probably what is causing him to bark like that. Even though he is a small lap dog, he should get daily walks outdoors.

    He should also get things to mentally stimulate him. Like interactive puzzle toys, stuffed kongs, etc.

    Have you had him in any training classes?

    Please look up Nothing in Life is Free and start practicing it. Practicing NILF, exercise and training will give the dog more confidence so that he is not so anxious.

    • Bronze

    He goes for a half hour to hour walk 6 or 7 days a week and he plays ball or toss with another object for a few minutes almost each day/night. What types of puzzles are u talking about...whats a stuffed kong?? I can try to look this up on teh internet. He hasnt had any formal training yet, with my work schedule i feel as though if i were to put him in a  class and be inconsistent about it that would only confuse him more. I will look up Nothing in Life is Free...Thanks foe the info, if you have any more advice it is much appreciated.

    • Bronze

    The first step is to get your dog used to hearing the sound of your keys jingling. When he can do that without exhibiting any signs of distress, add picking up your briefcase. Then add walking to the door. Then opening the door. You'll continue adding actions, in baby steps, until you can leave the house for a period of an hour or more without consequence.

    If this seems like a slow and tedious process, it is. In the meantime, keep your greetings and goodbyes as low-key as possible. This signals to your dog that coming and going are casual, common occurrences -- no need for drama or spectacular displays of emotion.

     More detailed info here... http://dogtime.com/separation-anxiety.html?breaks=2001_4032_6032_6324
     

     

    • Puppy

    May be you can try a new product called Cool-Dog spray.  It is very effective and friendly to control dog barking problem.  Because it is new, it is available on line and not easy to find in the store yet. You can try their website www.cool-dog.us to get it.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Bailey was cured of separation anxiety when I got married and my wife and her dog moved in. Bailey and Woofie love each other and the problem ended the day Woofie moved in.
    • Puppy

    Recuda,

     Great.  We are very happy to hear about this good news.

     

    Donna

    • Puppy
    I've got a 6 month toy fox terrier, and she has TERRIBLE seperation anxiety, i've taken her to the vet, and its either training or meds, i'd rather training. i've done tons of research and tried everything. but everytime i put her in her crate she screams, drools, sweats, shakes, chews the bars, and whines. She was crate trained before i got her so i don't know why she is acting like this...any help?? thanks!!!!! Jyll and little Lexi
    • Gold Top Dog

    Have you tried rescue remedy or a DAP plug in? One of the two should help a bit with your pup.

    What kind of training are you doing with? I had a foster with seperation anxiety, bad..., but we were able to work on it with desensitizing him to different "leaving" cues. Feel free to PM me for more information, I don't check this part of the forum often.

    • Puppy

     I would say dog bark for reason. You might want to figure out why your dog is barking before getting any solutions.

    There are thousand of dog owners who complain their dog bark at no reasons and interrupt their daily life. They just simply bark. You are wrong!

    Dogs will not bark at no reasons, they bark because there are something wrong. Just like babies, whenever they feel uncomfortable or they intend to tell you something they will cry because these are their communication way and they can’t speak to communicate. The same principle applied to dog too, whenever they feel uncomfortable, unsecured, and sense something wrong they will bark to deliver the message to you!

    But there are selected breed of dogs which are born with the nature of heavy barkers and they will bark more frequently than normal dogs, watch dog fall under this category. But training still can be provided to stop them from barking.

    First of all, you must understand why your dogs are barking? Then only you will find the solutions to stop them from barking. Dogs normally bark because of internal or external stimulus. There are always reasons why your dog is barking, you must try to understand them and solve the problems they are facing then automatically they will stop barking.

    There are few reasons why your dogs are barking.

    Dogs will bark when they feel anxious because of separation anxiety. Normally, my dog will start to bark after my mom left for quite sometime and he cannot find my mom (his master). He will bark continuously and nobody could stop him. He is barking because he feels lonely and insecure, he can’t find his master and he is trying to seek for attention. Dogs are born as a pack family so they wanted to be always with you and they will feel insecure if he can’t find people who are close to them after quite some times.

    Dog feels nervous, worry and scare will bark at anything as they will perceive it as a threat. Those perceiving threats can be falling keys, human with hats, mopping the floor and etc. My dog will bark whenever I am mopping the floor. He seems likes getting nervous whenever I mop the floor and will bark continuously until I stop to mop.

    Secondly, dogs are barking because they feel not comfortable. It is either feeling sick or there are something wrong with the place they are located. Check the crate or sleeping cushion and make sure it is clean and do not impose of direct sunlight. If you are getting an adopted dog back for the first day they might be barking because they are not get used to the new environment and feel insecure. So try to convince the dog that they are safe and you will protect them.

    Sometime dogs bark because they are hungry. If your dog bark at the end of the day, they might be feeling hungry and want to have some food. So, check on the food schedules if they keep on barking at the end of the day. My dog will bark if he wants to have his favorite treats too. Normally, we will reward him with his favorites treat once a day, but if we forget to do so, he will keep on barking at us as a signal that where is my treat?

    Why do dog bark when there are strangers or intruder outside or inside the house? This is because they are defending his territory. They are telling stranger or intruder that this is my place; you are not allowed to enter this area. These are my territory and get rid of here. This is the nature of dogs, but as a dog owner you can train your dog to stop barking when you give the signal to them.

    Dogs will bark because of the environment too. They are not comfortable to the environment and they want to go back, so they bark to tell you please bring me home. Whenever you left your dog to your relatives or friends when you are on vacation they will keep on barking during their first day at the new places, because they are not used to the new environment and they miss you.

    Dogs do not bark for no reasons, they bark because there are something! So check it out!

     Danielle Chua

    **EDITED, Content not allowed**
    • Puppy
    Dog barking can be solved, but you must first understand what is causing the problem.
    • Gold Top Dog

     This thread is 4 yrs. old.