I posted this in the puppy section, but no one has any advice thus far – maybe someone will see it here and have some advice—

My puppy has recently ( within the past two days) started an annoying barking habit. She never was a barker before, doesn’t bark at other dogs, and doesn’t bark at people. Unfortunately now when I leave a room she starts to bark, and rather loudly. She also starts to bark at her new bowls, the ones I got to remedy her bowl flipping habit.
What can I do to get her to stop? I don’t want her to be barking so much my neighbors alert the management.

I don’t know alot.. but the barking when you leave sounds like some sort of seperatation anxiety problem (my dog has that but she had a hard start in life)... there are people here with a wealth of knowledge – give it some time and someone will provide you with something useful!

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner…missed it previously since I have had the flu this week…UGH.

I read through your blogs to get some background and did see a few red flags as far as problems that may develop, but will try to address this one for now. I have a number of questions though…I am assuming that you live in an apartment since you mention neighbors/management. Is this the case? Also, do you know what Bourbon’s background is? When did she leave her litter…was it before 8 weeks? What do you do when you leave and what do you give her to keep her entertained in her crate? Are her bowls down all the time or do you put the food bowl up after she eats?

Without more info at this point I would say the barking is pretty normal when you leave and most dogs stop within 5 minutes. You might try sitting outside and listening to see what happens. Also, if you are in an apartment it may be that she is not getting enough excercise. If you have a good run before crating she will obviously be more tired and more likely to settle down.

I’d be happy to give more suggestions once I have more info.

I am sorry to hear you had the flu, I heard it has been particularly nasty this year. I hope you’re doing better.

As for your questions…

My living situation… I live in a one bedroom apartment and work or go to school most hours of the day, with a few breaks in between

Her background … as far as I know she lived with her litter, and all the dogs who lived on the farm, in a dog home until I adopted her at 3 months.

Her crate … she has bones, a soft bed, toys, and I keep the oldies station playing

When I leave… we have a walk before I leave, and as I put her in the crate I give her a treat.

Her food bowls aren’t down all the time, just the time that she eats – - since she eats all of her food in one fellswoop there is no danger of her eating at random times

I don’t run with her, since she has such a short snout she gets overheated quickly. Every day we have at least 2 long walks, and I try to go to the tennis courts to throw a ball around for her to chase/catch and return ( for about 20 min).

Hey everyone:

I need some advice on barking as well. First, let me say thanks in advanced to everyone who gives advice; it’s appreciated!

Second, I am in the same boat as Bourbon. I live in a one bedroom apartment and today I received a letter stating I was violating policy b/c my puppy’s barking.

Third, (aussie6k), I wanted to answer your questions in hopes you could give some advice. 

Living: I live in a one bedroom apartment with plenty of room. My puppy is small (pomeranian) so she gets tons of exercise.

Background: She was seperated from her mother and littermates early on (7wks) so I know she doesn’t understand bite inhibition, etc.

Job: I work from your standard 9AM-6PM job. I come home on lunch (halfway through the day) and let her out of her crate to go potty and grab a little snack.

Crate: She is crate trained but I’m having the hardest time with potty training. Anyway, her crate contains a puppy pad (in case of accident) a water bottle (like the ones a rabbit uses), and many toys (including a Kong, Nylabone, Booda Rope, etc.) A blanket goes over the crate at night and during the day.

Bowls: Her bowls are down all the time. She always has water. She gets the same amount of food per day.

She barks loudly when people enter the building, she barks loudly at sounds, she barks when I cook, eat, go to the bathroom, lay on my bed, etc.

Side note: I love her so much and would be devistated if I was told she had to leave. So, with all that said…does anyone know what I can do?

Thanks,

Anna and Lexi

I have 6 dogs, and this is what works for me:  I have a spray bottle filled with water, when one of the dogs barks UNNECCISARILY  I say “Quiet”  then if they bark again, I say quiet as I squirt them.  This has been working, sometimes all I have to do now is pick up the bottle.  I used a can with pennies, but my little dogs get really scared of the noise and I do not want them to have some kind of psycological issues!!  You have to be really consistant with this, at first I even had a waist pack with a squirt bottle on all the time so I always had it ready.  I just think whatever you decide to do, you always need to be consistant and follow thru.  Hope this helps.

Sorry, another note:  some dogs will learn if you do not pet them, they will do something to create attention towards them, so they have to learn that they cant always have attention from you when THEY want it.  If you are cooking, or making the bed, etc, and do not bark then you can pet them after and say “Good Quiet”