Barking--I'm going to pull my hair out!

[Kendra ..]

I'm a brand new doodle parent and loving it except for one huge thing...the constant barking. I've had my guy for a month and he's 13 weeks old today. He's usually fine in his crate except when I'm home and in a different room. When he can't see me the barking is NON STOP. I live in an apartment so this isn't really a problem except in the mornings and evenings when I'm showering and getting ready. I've been doing the whole "ignore it" thing, but is hasn't improved at all, and it's been going on every day for four weeks. And yes, I wait until he stops (I should say -pauses-) barking to reenter the room. Sometimes he does this while he's crated even if I'm in the room and just not looking at him. I continue to ignore him but the barking does.not.stop. I timed it this evening...he was still going strong after an hour. What's the next step??

Sincerely,

Missing Silence

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You may have to actually approach this as a training opportunity if ignoring it hasn't worked.  You can start when he's crated and you're in the room with him.  I would try ignoring him and when he barks verbally (but sternly) correct him...have some treats handy....the second he stops barking "good boy and treat".  You'll have to repeat this many times until he learns what you want him to do and that he will be rewarded for doing it.  Then you can start the same process when you leave the room.  If he barks go right back in and verbally correct and leave.  Again, go back in and reward him the second he stops the barking.  It may take awhile, especially since he's been doing this daily for a month....that behavior is now a habit.  You are definitely doing the right thing by not removing him from the crate while he is barking IMO. 

[DonMarie and Picco]

I ended up getting a citronella barking collar which I still use!  It may not work for all dogs. Picco doesn't like anything blowing or spritzing his face.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I have used a citronella spray collar to dissuade my dogs from repeating unwanted behaviors, but I believe that your puppy is too young for this, plus I would never leave a dog of any age in a crate with one of these collars.

I think that Jane has given you solid advice about training your puppy to be quiet by rewarding him when he stops barking. You could also associate a command word, such as "Quiet" or "Silence," with him getting rewarded. Wouldn't it be great to tell him verbally exactly what you want and have him understand and listen?

[Ginny Nightingale]

Some dogs are more stubborn than others--I agree with Jane's answer and when he is older a bark collar might work. Make sure the ignoring (when you are trying that) is total--no comments, no looking at him, nothing. Try putting a blanket over the crate too---making it more like a "den"...otherwise, it is all about training. 

ALSO, I think from what you have written, your pup is home all day in a crate and you are at work--so he could just be too lively when you are at home to sit in his crate while you get ready for being gone all day or when you finally come home. A doggy day care or dog walker might help settle him so that he is not so crazed when you are home. Then he will be more tired at the end of the day--mornings might still be a problem though!

[Paisley C]

We scrutinized heavily all dog care places in our area before we found one we would try and it was awesome! for $24 they will keep our pup in a group of similar sized pooches to play with for hours. She came home chilled out and still is 3 days later. We work from home so we use it for socialization for her and we can watch her on cam via our pc or cell phones.

As for stopping a "bad" habit we have found the can of compressed air known as the pet corrector works well. It is just a blast of air that interrupts whatever the dog is doing and we have used it with much satisfaction. It is not a blast of air on the dog but just the sound and it can come from the next room and is still effective. Good luck!!!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

We use the compressed air in the car to stop Bruin from whinning... Works like a charm.  Now I just have to pick the can up LOL.. He doesn't know its empty LOL

[Paisley C]

Love it!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am going to find a can of compressed air. I need to stop my dogs from barking in the car.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Somewhere there is a discussion concerning barking and such in a crate at bedtime... Check the puppy madness group.  It talks about actually hitting the top of the crate or shaking it and yelling "quiet".  The puppy relates the sound of the loud noise to the quiet command.....  Ill post it if I can find it...

[Kendra ..]

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I got a can of compressed air this afternoon, and after we got home from day care it quickly cut off his barking and he took a much needed nap. The real test will be tomorrow morning when he's full of energy ;-)

[Paisley C]

Let us know:) We would stand outside the room her crate is in and it often took a few times but it has yet not to work.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Hitting the top of the crate is a great idea...might I add a recommendation that our trainer gave us, and that is to cover the crate so the pup does not see that it is you banging on it.  Besides that trick, doggie dan has some very good training tips, and barking is included.  Check him out...he's very smart, and "easy" on the eyes!