Attention Barking?

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Archie07

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After abit of advice please...

My 10 year old Shih Tzu is a complete angel, I mean she really is a doll however when we go out she will sit at our front door and bark which our neighbours aren't too thrilled about. I don't think she has seperation anxiety as she's silent all night (sleeps away from us), will wait in the car patiently at the yard, I can have a shower, sit away in a different room, go upstairs and you don't hear a peep but when it comes to going out the front door she'll bark. It's not a stress bark as she's not panting, doing any damage or having any accidents, it's more of a 'oi I'm still here' bark. It's not constant, she gives herself a break now and again and as soon as she hears my car she goes as silent as mouse - like its been that way the whole time. Shes not at all a barking type of dog, this is the only time she makes any sound. She's only home alone 2 mornings a week until lunchtime and if I have to pop out on short errands (couple of hours). She loves walking so has plenty of exercise and treats to keep her busy when I'm out, some she eats some she saves till I'm home. Just wondered if anyone has any ideas I could try with the little diva ... Thanks.
 
Teach and help her understand the difference between 'speak' and 'quiet' - at the moment she is self-rewarding so you need to let her know that being quiet gets a reward, not being noisy, if that makes any sense!
 
Specifically with puppies, which patently your pooch isn't, I always left the wireless on, or the telly. It seemed that the background noise was a help. Better than silence, I suppose!

Alec.

Ets, Silence has a certain roar to it, I think. Perhaps dogs do too. a.
 
this is something older dogs can start doing as they feel a little insecure and little doggy dementia sets in, or some hearing loss. Might be worth speaking to your vet.
 
Thanks. I often leave the radio on for her and you could be right, she is getting on abit but she doesn't act her age at all.

Cayla how would I go about teaching her a speak and quiet command, bearing in mind she never ever barks at anything, except when I'm not there. If she makes any sort of sound at home I always ignore her until she's been quiet a minute or so anyway.
 
I never actually noticed what age she was, speed reading, sorry :o

To add I think you might get her checked out at the vet also to see if one or more of her senses might be failing her, as NSN said.

If she is not barking when you are around, there are ways to instigate barking but I'd say at her age you could just be winding her up and I don't know if that would be of value.
 
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