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I literally am at a loss. I started with a puppy that only barked when she got overly excited from playing to one that barks at EVERYTHING. :smpullhair:She barks when she wants attention, when she hears ANY sound outside, or whenever anyone walks in, and she is IMPOSSIBLE to stop once she gets started. And I don't mean one or two barks, she goes and goes, long past when the stimulus is gone. I don't know where this is coming from, she never barked when people walked in or when there were sounds outside before...maybe part of the hormones kicking in?
Anyway, I've tried lots of praise when she is quiet. Telling her calmly, quietly 'shhh' or 'quiet' when she starts barking. When she barks for attention I turn my back until she is quiet, then I make her do a sit or something before I'll pick her up. She really doesn't eat treats (barely eats her regular food, despite trying several kinds..), so treating for quiet doesn't really work either. I am so upset and frustrated. With the exception of this, I am so happy with her personality and temperament, but it's getting to the point where I can't stand it anymore. The shrill, incessant barking is too much. It was one of my biggest fears in getting a maltese but I thought I could train her out of it. :bysmilie:
Any ideas on how I can try to make this better? I feel like I've tried most of the things I've read online for barking problems and she just isn't getting it. In the past few days it's actually been getting worse rather than better. :smmadder:
:smhelp:
Anyway, I've tried lots of praise when she is quiet. Telling her calmly, quietly 'shhh' or 'quiet' when she starts barking. When she barks for attention I turn my back until she is quiet, then I make her do a sit or something before I'll pick her up. She really doesn't eat treats (barely eats her regular food, despite trying several kinds..), so treating for quiet doesn't really work either. I am so upset and frustrated. With the exception of this, I am so happy with her personality and temperament, but it's getting to the point where I can't stand it anymore. The shrill, incessant barking is too much. It was one of my biggest fears in getting a maltese but I thought I could train her out of it. :bysmilie:
Any ideas on how I can try to make this better? I feel like I've tried most of the things I've read online for barking problems and she just isn't getting it. In the past few days it's actually been getting worse rather than better. :smmadder:
:smhelp: