We rescued a 3.5 yr old Maltese from the shelter 20 days ago. As with most dogs, they are very affectionate and loyal with the household. However, for any strangers, he barks and goes wild. He doesn’t bite just constant barking. We have been socializing him by going to dog parks, camping, swimming in the lake, beaches, errands, etc, but still barking persists. At one point, a guy yelled at us while we were enjoying our lunch outside a restaurant. It is embarrassing. A firm no barking command seems to work for a second, but then he continues afterwards. I’m thinking of using a vibration collar. Any tips on how to correct this behavior? TC: family and a dog
I have heard that if you get some friends to act as strangers (wear different hats or coats) and then have treats they will associate treats with strangers and get more friendly.
Good advice. I will try this.
The dog sounds like my manager... Now I am used to it..
Also, I think a feedback look can happen where the dog senses your anxiety (because you fear the barking will occur) and then the dog gets more uptight and barks more. Try and stay really relaxed and positive around new people. Encourage the dog to be friendly and give it treats instead of yelling at it to stop barking.
Vibrating barking collar worked wonderfully for my puppy. Since he doesn't wear it always there's the occasional "testing boundaries" bark which is solved by having him wear it again for a few hours :)
Good to know that it works. I bought one already but have not used it yet. It has three modes: sound, vibrate and shock. I will not use shock.
Be sure to teach him a command while wearing the collar, like “quite”, you don’t want him to completely stop barking , you want him to stop barking when you command him. So say “quite” a few times before you put on the collar, and wear a few minutes then take it off, then repeat if he doesn’t follow your command. My puppy learned the “quite” command in one day.
Watch Cesar Milan
Don't the guy has been sued for animal cruelty
This is the most common behavior I have seen about dogs. It takes time for them to learn and sometimes they never learn. Instead of using “vibrator collar”. Use an object to instill fear. I have had 18 dogs all my life at various time periods. What I do is, I roll paper and show via expression that I am angry and pat or slightly hit him.her slightly above his legs. He/She thinks the pain comes from the rolled paper. So if he barks I just walk and try to roll the paper. As soon as I get up he senses and shuts up or sees rolled paper he shuts up.
Dogs respond to disgust more than any other emotion
Many good advices! I will share this to the family so they know what to do. Keep it coming. About the guy that yelled at us, he basically yelled, “put a muzzle on that barker!” or something similar while he was walking away. The guy seems to be angrier than my dog so we ignored him. I was going to say “you first”, but don’t want to end up on Youtube fighting a lunatic.
Well he shouldn’t be subjected to your dogs barking while enjoying a public space, it’s your responsibility to have control over your animal.
The guy was inside the restaurant the whole time. The dog only barked at the guy when he went outside to leave.
Is this some euphemism for something going on in your office op? Usually you can "ask for a friend" and get some great answers.
He is probably barking, “TC or GTFO!”