New Member

Posts: 2
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-20-2003 04:09 AM         

---

I have a toy maltese and all day he just barks and barks and barks. He sits in the front room and barks at anybody who walks past the house. If I close that door he goes out the back and barks. No matter how much we tell him off and give him his five minute time out in the laundry he just wont be quiet. It breaks my heart every time I tell him off because he knows he is being naughty, and all I have to do is look at him and he puts his head down to the ground like I'm going to hit him, as soon as I go to pick him up to put him in the laundry he rolls over for a tummy rub. When he barks outside and I come to tell him off, as soon as he sees me he starts sniffing the ground and kicking the dirt like he has just been to the toilet. Also after I have told him off he will suck up to me and come and lick my leg and sit on my lap for the next hour. Recently though I will tell him off and he will put his head down and just start shaking. He makes me feel so abusive but I'm not

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 76
From:Madison, MS
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-20-2003 04:42 PM         

---

Have you tried the little ZAPPER. I don't know if you can do this with a small puppy, but my old neighbor had a BIG DOG who barked all the time. All the neighbors made him get help. He got this shocker...thingy...that he wore around his neck. When he heard him bark, he pressed the button on this little remote and it gave him a little jolt. I do not know if this is KOSHER to do to a dog or not, but when you are at your wits end....hey, I'd try anything.

I wanted to HAMMER that BIG DOG that CONTROLLED MY LIFE for 11 months. He finally got rid of the dog, so I'm not sure if that means it didn't work or not.

HOPE THIS HELPS "SOME"........

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 05-20-2003 06:07 PM         

---

For a small dog,instead of using a shock collar,try one that sprays a citrus spray.It is a remote collar,when you hear him bark you just push a buttom and it sprays the citrus in front of their nose and gets them to stop.

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 2
From:Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-20-2003 08:40 PM         

---

I have a Sheltie, a Border Collie, and a Rat Terrier. I have found when my Sheltie and BC get bored; they start barking at strangers outside the window. My Sheltie will yap for hours at anything that moves outside. So I have used interesting toys to keep them occupied. Kongs are wonderful! Smearing a little peanut butter in a Kong and then freezing it works wonders on boredom. I also use treat balls. Freeze dried liver works the best because of the smell. We have an Uppy Puppy Treat machine (gum ball machine for dogs). The dogs press the handle to make treats come out. This worked great until they became so precise at hitting the lever. I rotate toys too.

When boredom is not the issue, I have also used a squirt gun with water too. The nice thing about a squirt gun is that you don't have to be so close. I find with my herding dogs, one squirt is enough. I don't have to yell either. I am thankful because my BC is overly sensitive. The worst thing I can do is yell at him.

My herding dogs are VERY active, intelligent dogs. I am not familiar with all of the characteristics of a Maltese, which are beautiful dogs. I believe many dogs are just like children. They just make bad choices when no choices are presented to them. It works with my babies. Hopefully this might help.

Good luck.

IP: Logged

posted 05-21-2003 12:36 AM           

---

I agree sounds like boredom. This dog needs stimulation and exercise. He is not being "naughty" nor does he "know he's being naughty" he is trying to tell you something.... I'm bored, I need something to do, someone to play with. He also barks because he knows he gets a response from you when he barks (attention). Does he go to obedience or agility classes? Does he get to go for long walks and playtimes with other dogs on a daily basis?

A tired dog is a good dog. Still, some little dogs are known to be yappy. I'd sooner try a squirt gun on him before a zap collar, ***if he has been exercised and is still barking -- I'd start short sessions of crating him and in a room and shut the door -- the worst thing you can do is pay attention do him and go back to him and tell him off, you must leave him -- dogs are smart they soon learn 'if I cry someone will come'. Remember this is for a dog who *has* been exercised.

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 2
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-22-2003 02:40 AM         

---

i'm not sure if it is boredom. We have another dog that he plays with, plenty of toys, and we take them for a walk every day

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 97
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 05-22-2003 02:55 AM            

---

The citrus spray collar sounds worth checking out. It sounds like you've tried just about everything else with your little maltese. It's not something I would normally advise but in your case it just might be the answer.

Each time the dog barks it squirts out a citrus scent, which dogs don't like. The idea is that eventually the dog connects the unpleasant scent with barking and stops doing it. Good luck.

IP: Logged

Moderator

Posts: 163
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-26-2003 01:19 AM         

---

if its not boredom could be separation anxiety. certain dogs get bored easily despite having someone to play with and certain dogs bark more than others. could be something you just have to live with with the breed. i say ignore this behavior.

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 8
From:raleigh, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-02-2003 03:03 PM            

---

I'm not sure about why he barks, but if you go over to him and quietly say "be quiet" or "hush" then he will most likely get the idea. it works with my dalmasion, and he has quite a loud bark, and has always barked at everything

IP: Logged

Moderator

Posts: 364
From:Tennessee, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-02-2003 08:34 PM            

---

I have a 12 wk old maltese. Not to much barking yet. Maybe you should try a good old fashion technique of shut up=get a treat. My aunt has a maltese and toy poodle. When her maltese barks, instead of yelling at him she puts her hand up and says "Stop". You keep saying that and if he doesn't stop just pop his nose lightly. I'm sorry I don't have any other ideas.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)