We have a 1 year old Westie and he barks at anything. When he wants to go outside, when he wants to play, when he just wants something. Any idea on how to control this?
My 5 year old Westie can be like that sometimes and although it’s natural to shout at him, it doesn’t help. I try to direct his attention to something else, take him out for plenty of walks and make a big fuss of him cos he loves that. Sometimes it can be boredom so do plenty with him to keep his mind active.
Tags: Westie
get an empty can like a coke can or something like that and put like bolts or marbles or something small and hard in it so when you shake it rattles loudly. then when he barks drop it or shake and it will make him stop.
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have you tried bitter apple spray? next time he barks give him a command to be quiet, if he doesn’t spray a little in his mouth while trying not to let him see the bottle. He’ll still bark but will eventually learn that when you tell him to be quiet he’d better. It helps to keep a couple little bottles of it around the house and to take some on your walks as well. hope this helps.
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Try a spray bottle filled with water…he barks, you spray. It’s simple and humane.
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Oh!! I love Westies, I would say Annnk! Stop barking and when he’s quiet give him a treat and say good quiet. It may take a little while but they are so smart it might be quicker than you think, Stay with it and don’t miss a time for correction. Tell him I said hi, love you
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Citronella bark collar
Your dog could also be bored and started barking to fill the boredom. Give that little terrier a lot of exercise and it will calm his mind as well.
Good luck
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20 years of dog Ownership
Its acceptable for a dog to voice its excitement by barking, so this is normal.
However when it becomes obsessive, as my 14 year old corgi is, ie people walking past, the postman, etc that is NOT acceptable and is soooo annoying, and the only way I have heard to stop a dog barking is NOT to shout, as this is attention, do not hit the dog, but say Quiet nicely, perhaps keep some treats on you to reward for this.. if not invest in a Bark Collar which deters dogs from barking with a gentle harmless shock, I don’t have one but they are harmless to the animal so if you did buy one it would not be cruel.
Wish you all the best
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My Corgi Joe
My 5 year old Westie can be like that sometimes and although it’s natural to shout at him, it doesn’t help. I try to direct his attention to something else, take him out for plenty of walks and make a big fuss of him cos he loves that. Sometimes it can be boredom so do plenty with him to keep his mind active.
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