Someone turn off the barking!!!

[jellyfish]

So, Daisy...well, she seems to bark...a lot. When we researched the breed, we had read that they aren't known for being barkers. Apparently, I got the one that barks...at everything (movement and sound).

Last night was rough. We attended our first puppy class at a local kennel. We were in a room off of the kennel but you could hear all of the dogs barking in the kennel. We were in a class with about 15 other puppies of various breeds. As soon as we walked in the door (mind you, everyone was silent) she spazzed. She started barking at everything...the sounds, the smells, the other dogs. I couldn't get her attention. She made it incredibly difficult to hear. One person even moved to the front of the room because they couldn't hear. She barked nearly the entire class time. Holding her and putting her on the floor were the same. I did get her to do some of the commands we practiced during class in between her barking at everything but I felt like such a failure. While everyone else's puppies were quietly sitting on their mats and being calm, mine was a total spaz. To rub salt in the wound, there was even another Frenchie there about the same age as Daisy and it never made a peep...the entire class time. It wasn't moving around all over the place and just pleasantly sat there.

What have I created? I've only had her for 3 weeks. Her old home was with other dogs so I know she's been around other dogs. Now she is in a home by herself. Could that play a part?

She also barks quite a bit a home. She barks at random kitchen sounds, kids moving through the house, sounds on the TV, when I'm making her food up, and at anything and everything outside (sound and movement).

Is she not getting enough exercise or is she bored? I feel very lost. I have never dealt with a barker and it is creating tension in the home.

Any suggestions?

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Some Frenchies are laid back and some, like my Wally, are high strung. First off, don't ever worry about what others may think of you and your puppy. You are trying your best and some take more effort than others to train. Wally used to put me in tears on walks he was so out of control but I've learned that the calmer I am the calmer he will be.

You need to distract her from her bad behaviour and reward her when she's good. When Wally barks for no reason I will clap my hands and say in a stern voice No Bark! That usually gets his attention. Another thing to try is a can with a few coins or rocks in it as sometimes clapping isn't loud enough to get their attention. It does sound like she's looking for attention and she could be lonely if she lived with other dogs before.

I would just be consistent with the training and she should get it soon enough. Good luck!!

 

[Jakeyjake]

It sounds like your frenchie is highly reactive. My Stella is the same way and she is the reason I meet with a trainer every week. Working with a trainer over the sounds that are setting her off may help your Daisy too. Stella would dart and bark at the sound of the blender, dishes being put away, shaking the trash bag, opening a package. Walks were worse because she wanted to chase after cars, trucks, birds, gardeners, etc. When she was young she would bark at other dogs non stop too. It was all fear based. With basic training she has gotten soooo much better. She still has her moments but has improved tremendously. Now on our walks when a loud truck goes by and she doesn't try to bolt, we tell her good girl. Positive reinforcement training should help calm her down over sounds that are disturbing to her. And of course, lots of exercise is always good because a tired dog is a good dog Good luck!

 

[Bonus]

My puppy barks a lot when we first got her home.
The puppy class taught us to ignore her for few minutes until she stopped. It worked!

We have had her for about 2 months now and she is not a barker anymore.
She only does some 'polite' barking when she invites people or other dogs to play with her! She does the play pose and bark to get others' attention.

 

[WeeDex]

I agree with everything above! I wonder if maybe a smaller class would help too if that's possible?

My first class had 12 in it and was awful. I spent the entire time stressed and sweating, and we got moved to the bottom of the room away from everyone as Dexter spent the whole time on his back trying to get the other pups to play with him. It was stressful and humiliating - the opposite of what you need to train your dog!

The second class was maximum 6 pups and the difference was indescribable. Excellent from beginning to end, and Dexter was amazing in it. So responsive. It was a really positive experience.

 

[Jakeyjake]

I agree with everything above! I wonder if maybe a smaller class would help too if that's possible?

My first class had 12 in it and was awful. I spent the entire time stressed and sweating, and we got moved to the bottom of the room away from everyone as Dexter spent the whole time on his back trying to get the other pups to play with him. It was stressful and humiliating - the opposite of what you need to train your dog!

The second class was maximum 6 pups and the difference was indescribable. Excellent from beginning to end, and Dexter was amazing in it. So responsive. It was a really positive experience.

Ya I can relate. Stella flunked puppy playtime. There were about 5 - 6 puppies that would all play so cute together and all the moms would laugh and visit. Stella would just hide under my chair. It was so pathetic. Then the trainer brought out a treat to encourage her to move about and when the other puppies approached she snapped at them! Ugh.