Chihuahua's, How to prevent Barking?

[ArcadiaReptiles]

I'd eventually like to get a Chihuahua once i get a place that accepts dogs and was woundering how i can prevent the excessive Barking. I don't mind the barking when someone comes to the door or things like that(my dog used to do it and it rather makes me feel safe). But the excessive if what i'd really like to prevent.

I know proper socialisation can help anything else?

[corgimom]

Herding dogs are barkers by nature, and we've got a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Rough Collie, so we have lots of barking in our house. Ein especially is very loud, and barks at every sound, barks when Tuck and Colleen are playing, parks when Lucas tickles me. Barks when he hears the words "footsies", "Tucker feet", "bellies", and so on and so forth.

Nothing worked with getting him to quiet down. I have heard/read that one thing you can do is gently hold their snout (because most dogs don't like this) and say "hush" gently, but firmly while maintaining eye contact.

This did not work for Ein. Our approach to Ein's barking is not going to be a popular one here, but I don't have any regrets. We used a bark collar. We tell Ein "hush". If he keeps barking, we say, "Ein, do you need a bark collar?" If he still keeps barking, we ask him one more time "do you need a bark collar?". If he is still barking, we put the collar on.

Ein has only been shocked by the collar three times. That's all it took for him to learn what the word "bark collar" means and what it does. Now, most of the time, saying the word "bark collar" is enough to quiet him. If he doesn't quiet and we put the bark collar one him, he goes into a self-imposed time out. He knows that if he barks with it on, he gets shocked. So he lays down quietly on the floor until we take the collar off. I usually leave it on him for around 5 minutes or so. Just enough time for him to unwind and calm down.

Corgis are very bright dogs, so I don't know if this would be as effective (and less "shocking") with a chihuahua. I'm also not sure if a bark collar would be a good idea for such a small, delicate dog. But that is what we did.

Colleen doesn't bark as much as Ein does. Usually only if she sees something, or if the boys get her riled up. Telling her 'hush' (gently holding her snout, if neccessary) is usually effective for her.

[ArcadiaReptiles]

I don't think id use a bark collar on such a tiny dog. Im looking around on the net as well. I might just contact a breeder and ask about this.

[LuvMeBre]

The spray bottle.
Everything barking accours, say no and spray.

[Sasami]

I don't recommend bark collars, yelling, spray bottles (my dog liked it, lol!!), etc.

Instead, teach your dog "speak" and "hush" . You start by saying "speak" and then praising when the dog barks. Treats might help, too, though I don't know since I don't usually use them in training (I use petting, praise words, and special toys). Anyways, your dog should catch on and start barking on cue. Now you teach "Hush"...either by praising when the dog stops barking or by using a treat/toy to distract them for a second so they stop and then give them the treat/toy.

Also, when my dogs start barking (which is never out of boredom...that's different, more like at squirrels and stuff) I let them bark for at least a few seconds and then I praise before saying "hush". And I praise afterwards, too. I feel that telling them to stop barking immediately might make them more desperate if they really feel it's a threat. Oh, and this way they know barking isn't completely bad and will let me know if there's a stranger or something.

Never start yelling...they might think you are barking too . Or that you obviously don't realize the "danger" and they'll bark more.

If the barking is boredom related you can give the dog long walks, play a game of fetch to tire him/her out, provide "puzzle" toys like Kongs, give the dog a bone to chew, etc.

I hope that helps. And I hope it makes sense .

[ArcadiaReptiles]

It does make sence and its the way i like to do things as well. Positively reinforce the good and ignore(not completely) the bad. I just want to try to understand this breed a little more. They seem to bark out of fear alot if i remember(I read an article about it but its back home).