barking

[mazv1953]

How do I stop my year old bichon spaniel from barking? We want to stay in a flat for weekends but the soundproofing is the pits and our dog will drive the neighbours nuts - how do we stop her from barking at everything?

Firstly, there is no magic fix.

Have you been able to identify cause(s) for the barking eg noises outside, demanding something from you, etc?

She sometimes just stands in the middle of the garden staring at nothing and barking. She also barks at strangers entering the house - but that seems reasonable. Indoors she barks at her sisters, barks when excited , when she hears a strange noise and often at a space on the wall where it looks as if she can see something we can't. No growling ever, and she can easily be distracted and so stop for a few seconds but then she is off again. We live in the country so it's not a big issue here - but when we visit friends it is a pain as she is off every few minutes. She does not seem scared - no cowering. She is a year old and otherwise a delight

Some breeds like the sound of their own voice! I have a mini schnauzer and he likes to bark. Try and offer an alternative is what I was told.. I use the touch method so you call the dog and he has to touch you flat palm. If he does that you reward and then chances are he forgot what he was barking at. With this method mine no longer barks at joggers and cyclists