Hi everyone! New here with a question about our little guy!

[Dublins_Family]

Hi everyone!  We recently adopted Dublin, who is now just over 3 months old.  We LOVE him to death, he's such a great addition to our little family, but something I've learned about myself is that apparently, the sound of my dog barking (not ANY dog, just MY dog) makes my blood pressure go THROUGH THE ROOF!  And now that Dublin has discovered his voice . . . oof!  How can I teach "quiet" (or something) so that he knows when to give it a rest?  

Right now he barks as we are preparing his food, but we play Mine and he's pretty quick about sitting and zipping it in order to be fed, but there are 2 or 3 random other times throughout the day where he just starts barking, barking, barking . . . it's never AT us, so that's good, but I have no idea why he's doing it, so I'm not sure how to prevent it, or motivate him to stop (does that make sense?).  I feel like just randomly rewarding him when he's being quiet is so abstract that he won't catch on to what behavior we're rewarding.

He's such a good boy, so sweet and goofy, LOL!  But oh that sound . . .

THANK YOU!!
Dublin's Mom 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I don't have an answer to help you, but want to welcome you to Doodlekisses.

I am sure there are discussions about stopping barking. Try going to the top of the page and click on "Groups". Choose the one called "Training Experiences, Challenges and Mindsets". At the bottom of a list of recent discussions, click where it says "view all". At the top of the page that will pop up, there is a search window where you can type in something like "stop barking". I hope that makes sense. 

Good luck with your pup! I remember when they find their voices. It can be a struggle! 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Welcome to DK!

When Tara was that age she would start getting a bit obnoxious when she got over tired. Kind of like some children. When she started misbehaving I would put her in her ex-pen or in her crate for a nap. Often this is what she needed. I think they can just get overstimulated at times learning and experiencing the many new things that life has to offer.

The pen or crate can also be used as a "time out" even if they don't sleep. This teaches them that if their behavior is not acceptable to you that they will be separated from the family. This also worked well with Tara because she, as most doodles, wanted to be WITH us all the time. Eventually they learn that if they bark they will be removed from the "fun".

Some people use coins in a can or some other device that makes a loud noise whenever the pup barks inappropriately.  Some people squirt them with water. I never used these techniques with Tara because she is very sensitive and they would have been too harsh for her and I personally don't like the idea of intentionally  scaring such a young puppy.  She responded fine to the ideas above but perhaps you can try something on that order if he doesn't respond to other things.

Remember though that you are dealing with an infant so his little brain is not as capable of understanding things or understanding things as quickly as an older dog. It can take MANY repetitions before they "get it". Also, barking is a natural behavior for a dog, not really a bad behavior other than it annoys US!

And I do understand how puppy time can be very trying for the blood pressure. :) I wish you and Dublin all the best. He really is a cutie pie!!!

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

You might try a loud clap and loud disapproving verbal sound as soon as he begins to bark.  He will put 2 and 2 together very quickly,  And consistency is the key.  

[Christine & Shelby]

My approach was to teach Shelby how to speak... Yes, she has a hand signal and will bark on command. Once I taught her to speak... Then I was able to successfully teach her to "be quiet".

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

This worked for me too, teach to bark on camand. Then teach to be quite... Don't forget to reward with treats and/ or praise. When my dogs get a behaviour correct it's " party time". Jump arround, cheer etc.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Roo is a barker and Tigger not so much.  You can teach quiet.  As a last resort you can use an electronic bark collar.  But not until he is six months old. The bark collar is activated by that dogs barking and must be on the dog from morning to night while you are home.  If the collar is not on him, he must be confined.  Otherwise he will figure out that if the collar isn't on he can bark.  Tigger learned very quickly, Roo not so much.

Roo still barks like crazy at certain people: mailman, poolman and I tell him to go to his chair, which is his safe place and that really helps him be quiet(er).

Roo is very high energy and more assertive, but also much more observant of his surroundings.  Tigger is much more mellow, placid and easy going and a lot of times just cannot be bothered.

We do laugh at Tigger though because he will give one sharp loud bark and streak out the dog door.  As soon as Roo is in hot pursuit, barking at what he does not know, Tigger returns and steals the lap, toy or preferred laying place with what I swear is a satisfied smirk on his oh so innocent face.

[Chelsie]

I'm having a similar problem with Sam, my 19 week old goldendoodle! I also have an older Chorkie, Eli, who Sam barks at. At certain times of the day if Eli isn't playing with him, Sam will bark and bark at him. I have tried the "quiet" thing and he looks at me then keeps going. I have made him sit and be quiet, but as soon as I leave him he starts barking at Eli again. If Eli starts playing with him he stops barking and plays, but that only lasts so long before Eli stops and Sam is barking at him again. I don't want to punish him in the sense of scaring him with a loud noise or spraying him with water, but I'm having a hard time getting the other ways to work. I will be checking the replies and hopefully we can get our barking puppies to "be quiet!"

[Sara & Trix]

I hear you! Trix' bark is high pitch and deafening (in my opinion) She is 18 months and still does this (on occasion) and very randomly. The most successful technique we've found was to turn around, walk away, going into another room and ignore her (even just 15 seconds sends the message). She's clued in pretty quickly that her random barking fits results in us leaving and ignoring her.

Just thought I would share what's been working for us :)