Kingdom of Pets

Posted by maggie116
Mar 6, 2010

I have an 8 month old Yorkie that barks NON-STOP, when she wants to have her own way. An example of this, is when she is in her crate and wants out, she will bark non-stop in an angry way. She barely takes time to breathe! The reason I had put her in her crate, was because she has been playing too rough with my other dog, biting her ears and literally causing pain! Another reason I might put her in her crate, is while we are eating supper. She does the same kind of barking when she is NOT in her crate and wants something that she can't have. She will follow me around the house, barking like crazy, almost in a frenzy!

She sleeps in her crate at night. Often, when I put her to bed and she doesn't want to go to sleep, she will start this same kind of barking.

It's not like she doesn't like her crate, as other times, she seems perfectly content, playing with a toy, or just looking out and watching what everyone in the house is doing.

Her barking seems to be "Angry", and happens only when she can't have her own way. She reminds me of a two year old, having a temper tantrum.

I have tried totally ignoring her, but this doesn't phase her in the least. I have covered her crate, so she can't see out,
but has barked non-stop for over 20 minutes!! I have tried
putting pennies in a can and shook them when she started this kind of barking. This worked for about one day, until she SAW the can and since then, it doesn't phase her in the least.

I am at the end of my rope, in knowing what to do. My only
hope is to find help in this dog forum.

I eagerly await your advice.

Bobette

Posted by crazycrayonmom
Mar 7, 2010

Yorkies are one of my favorite small dog breeds and one of the reasons I like them is because they are so social. They hate being away from the action!

I'm guessing that you have let her out of her crate while she is still barking. If that is the case, she has learned that if she keeps barking she wins. You may have to grit your teeth and let her bark, ignoring her completely. Don't go in the room and try to shush her, don't give her hush commands through the door, no attention at all. It will probably take a very long time the first few times you do it.

The only other thing I can think of is a squirt bottle. But I think that would be about as effective as the shaker cans with her.

I would also recommend working on your leadership status. When my dogs are tussling if it gets too rough I just have to either snap my fingers (that's what I use to get their attention) or say "hey" and they stop. To get them to do this I used to force my way in between their tussling and use my body to block the more aggressive of the two away. I would then snap my fingers or say "hey". After a couple of times they figured out that I was the boss. (I learned this works after watching my shepherd mix dog control a doggie argument between 2 of my other dogs. She didn't like what she was seeing and just pushed her way between them, they stopped immediately. It was a pretty awesome sight, watching nature at work.)

Have you done much obedience training with her? If she does a fairly good "stay", when you are eating you could try leaving her out of the crate and putting her in a "stay" close enough to see you but not near enough to be a bother.

Good luck with your girl, maybe others will have more suggestions.

Posted by maggie116
Mar 7, 2010

I have never given in to her barking, while she is in her crate, as I know this is exactly what she wants me to do. Sometimes her barking gets so loud and so shrill, I have to leave the room. By the time she stops barking, she's so exhausted she usually falls asleep. When she wakes up, and isn't barking, it's as though the barking incident never happened.

She has had basic obedience training, but due to my physical disability, I haven't been able to take the intermediate course with her. She does know the sit command, but is so flighty, I've never been able to get her to stay, for more than a few seconds.

I realize she thinks she is the alpha dog, running rampant over me and this is something I am working on. I think the best thing that I can do, is continue to work on my leadership skills. I am hoping as the weather warms up, I can spend more time with her in the back yard. I am also hoping as she gets a little older she will learn to comfort herself and not have to spend every minute annoying my
other dog.

I will try your method to interrupt when she gets to playing too rough with my other dog. My other dog is a Cavalier Spaniel, a sweet and docile breed. She puts up with my Yorkies' rough play, as long as she can. When she has had enough, she will come lay by my feet, or seek refuge in her crate.

Thanks, again for your advice.

Posted by kjd
Mar 7, 2010

Maggie,

If she falls asleep from her barking, she isn't learning a thing! After all, you didn't let her out once she'd calmed down, you let her out after she'd had her nap! Is the crate in a room where you can leave and close the door? It seems to me that she won't learn to be quiet until she finds out that quiet gets her what she wants. From what you say, she's never been quiet so she doesn't know that works! Somehow, you have to find a way to break that barking long enough to reward.

That means a setup! If there is some situation where you know she always barks, you have a harness on her, take her into the situation, and startle her out of that first bark. Then, before she can get started, praise and treat.

Sorry I cannot give you an idea for a setup, but you know your dog best. The setup should be something you can control -- something she always wants when she sees it, for example.

Good luck,
kjd

Posted by maggie116
Mar 8, 2010

Thanks for your idea, I will put it to use today!

Yesterday, was a better day, and she didn't bark as much.
Once, when she was off leash in the living room, I wanted her to get a toy and come in the computer room with Maggie, my Cavalier Spaniel. and me. She stood at the doorway and kept barking at me. I just ignored her and played with Maggie, and pretty soon Lexi,(my Yorkie), came into the room. As soon as we made eye contact, she ran out of the room. I kept ignoring her and eventually, she came in to play with Maggie. She had no further episodes of barking.

I have also had problems with her going to the door to go
potty, so have taken her outside, when I thought she should
be able to go potty. She will go potty "On demand", and then
I give her a Cheerio and praise her. Sometimes when I take her outside and ask her to go potty, she isn't able to go, so
I bring her back inside and try about five minutes later and
she usually will go. Last night she came up to me in the living room and barked at me. It wasn't continual barking, just "one bark". I asked her if she had to go potty and she ran towards the door. I took her outside and to my disbelief,
she went pee AND pooped!! That was a "First" for her.

For the first time since I got her I'm beginning to think there
is a light at the end of the tunnel, lol.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your advice!!

Thanks so much!
Bobette

Posted by kjd
Mar 8, 2010

Bobette,

That sounds great! I know that continual barking must get on your nerves. If she learns that a single bark results in what she wants and longer barks end in frustration, she may end up the best dog you ever had!

BTW, I cannot see my dog considering a cheerio a proper treat -- of course, her head is bigger than all of Lexi!

kjd

Posted by maggie116
Mar 8, 2010

It's funny, but I have used Cheerios as a treat for my Cavalier, since she was a puppy, so they are both happy to get one Cheerio for performing tricks, or as a reward. They
are easy to carry in my jacket pocket, no mess, small, with a
slight honey flavor!! They work great for my dogs!!

I tried giving my little Yorkie a small piece of Natures Recipe
dog treats, when she was in obedience training. She got
diarrhea, and then ATE her own POOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, she is back on Cheerios, roflmbo!!

Bobette

Posted by kjd
Mar 8, 2010

Now you should write General Mills and get a year's worth of Cheerio treats free! kjd

Posted by crazycrayonmom
Mar 19, 2010

I've been away from the forums for a couple of weeks. I saw your posts and just wanted to say congratulations! Isn't it a great feeling when all your hard work shows results? Best of luck to you and your cheerios pack!

ANGRY barking, when she "Wants her way"