wmars1776
Terrier Terror
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| 08/21/2007 10:42 AM |
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Here Ya go Nora....for the past week or so Smokey has been barking a lot. We don't mind when he barks to alert us of something but once he starts he won't stop. Here is the trigger......In the morning when Bandit and Smokey are lying on the bed, Bandit may make a "humph" type sound while looking out the window. It could be anything walking past the house. That is all he does and it sets Smokey off. He just stands there and barks and barks even looking at the wall. I calm him down then he starts this "humph" sound. I read somewhere that putting pebbles in a plastic bottle and shaking it could stop this problem. I do realize that Ratties by nature are very alert and if this is just something we have to deal with, then we will. Would you suggest the bottle thing or something else or are we just wasting our time.
Thanks. |
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Bill - "Smokey's" Dad
Cumberland, Rhode Island
"To everything, there is a season"
www.myspace.com/wmars1776 |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 08/21/2007 10:47 AM |
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| What about the squirt bottle others have used? |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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wmars1776
Terrier Terror
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| 08/21/2007 10:50 AM |
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Didn't hear about that. Just give them a quick squirt like in the face? |
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Bill - "Smokey's" Dad
Cumberland, Rhode Island
"To everything, there is a season"
www.myspace.com/wmars1776 |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/21/2007 10:58 AM |
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Dogs feed off each others' energies... In the scenario you describe, Bandit is setting the proverbial stage.. and Smoky is feeding off of him. It doesn't take much sometimes. One will always be the leader and others will follow. At my house, the 8-lb female dachshund (Lil'Bit) is at the top of the pecking order... always. Every pack has a leader.
You can teach Smokey the "no bark" command, but it will take commitment and persistence, and success will not be realized quickly. Barking is natural for a dog, so you are training something that goes totally against the dog's nature.
It will require treats... positive reinforcement... over and over and over again... and you can't enforce it sometimes and not others because that's not fair to the dog... he will not know when to do it and when NOT to do it.
When Smoky barks... get his immediate attention either with a spray bottle of water.. a can with coins in it to shake... or a simple emphatic "NO BARK!" When he stops and looks at you... even for a nano second... say "good no bark"... "good no bark"... several times, and give him a treat... and let him go. If he starts back up with the barking... do it again... and again.... and soon he will realize that when he stops barking, he is rewarded and he will expect the reward. The reward has to be worth more than the barking is to him. Be animated with him when you give him a treat and make him feel like he's done somethign WONDERFUL !!!
It will take time, but it is accomplishable. |
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Russ' Pal
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 08/21/2007 10:59 AM |
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yup, regular plastic spray bottle filled with tap water. Calmly say No bark and give a spritz.
edited to say- I would try Nora's positive reinforcement method from above first. |
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-Sarah, pal to Russ & Peca |
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wmars1776
Terrier Terror
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| 08/21/2007 1:15 PM |
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OK got it. I love this site! Answers immediately.
Bill
PS Could this work with Jeannie when she barks at me??? Hmmmmm |
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Bill - "Smokey's" Dad
Cumberland, Rhode Island
"To everything, there is a season"
www.myspace.com/wmars1776 |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/21/2007 1:16 PM |
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Immediate answer:
Do NOT - I repeat do NOT - try this with your wife  !!!!!!! |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 08/21/2007 1:18 PM |
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Posted By wmars1776 on 08/21/2007 1:15 PM
OK got it. I love this site! Answers immediately.
Bill
PS Could this work with Jeannie when she barks at me??? Hmmmmm
Bill - I have tried the squirt bottle method with my Bill when he barks...to no avail! 
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, www.newrattitude.org
Pics of my current fosters:
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona
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wmars1776
Terrier Terror
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| 08/21/2007 1:27 PM |
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Hey Tracey - Don't try which - the squirt bottle or the treats??? LOL |
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Bill - "Smokey's" Dad
Cumberland, Rhode Island
"To everything, there is a season"
www.myspace.com/wmars1776 |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/21/2007 1:42 PM |
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I'm quite sure your spouse would prefer adult treats! LOL
I'm also quite sure she has the "down" and "sit" commands down pat... yes? hahaha |
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wmars1776
Terrier Terror
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| 08/21/2007 4:31 PM |
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You got that right! Problem is she squirts me with cold water every time I roll over.............LOL...'nough said! |
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Bill - "Smokey's" Dad
Cumberland, Rhode Island
"To everything, there is a season"
www.myspace.com/wmars1776 |
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tauney4
Alpha Feist
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| 08/21/2007 4:42 PM |
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| I USE A SQUIRT BOTTLE FROM TIME TO TIIME WORKS FOR ME!!!!!!!!! |
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 08/23/2007 4:39 PM |
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I use water pistols at my vet's recommendation. I bought a six-pack of 'em at Wal-Mart & keep them all around the house so the squirt comes "while they're barking"or they won't make the correction connection. |
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