Is this mean to do?

[victoria]

When my puppy bark excessively I use an air horn from the other room to kind of scare him and he stops. When he's in his crate he stops barking but otherwise he gets scared and hides under the couch. I tried to just say 'no' at first but he would just bark even more. ''No'' only works when I'm telling him not to do something else or when he barks at other people. It doesn't work when he just barks for the heck of it. I was just wondering if scaring him like that will cause any behavior problems down the road.

[Ehunney]

I don't think using the airhorn is best. Scaring him into being obedient might produce negative long term effects. There are a ton of knowlegable owners on this site who can give you good advice that'll work. I hope it all works out. Best wishes.:)

[victoria]

Yeah I guess it can't be a good idea since he justs seems really scared. He really barks a lot like when I walk out the living room where he is and go into my bedroom without him. I live in an apartment so I'm not sure if the other tenets can hear him since it's a townhouse with an apartment on each floor. Just in case though I try to get him under control with the barking quickly. It's not really that big of an issue since I'm in charge of the apartment building but I don't want to be inconsiderate.
I tried to cover his crate too because if he's asleep and doesn't see me leave then it's fine. He just chews at any kind of towel or blanket I put over it he'll pull it into the crate.

[I Found Nemo]

I dont think it's a good idea either, it would scare the crap outta me thats for sure:lol2: :lol2: It's all about consistency, everytime he barks when he shouldn't I say NO BARK in a loud voice and that has worked for me. I'm sure there are other ways also but it still comes down to consistency and your dedication to it.
Good Luck,
ANDREA

[tchkapa]

We took Molly through dog training and that helped some. Just her realizing we were alpha helped. Now when she barks (mainly when people are outside, or she hears a noise) I pick her up and tell her no and that works well. Almost like she needs a comfort to tell her it is ok. Or it is just she wants more attention :)

[bek74]

I would say "NO" bad Idea with the horn. When I was training mine, I would just " No BARK" in a loud stern voice and clap my hands, if they did it again, I said " NO BARK" in a loud stern voice and clap my hands, 3rd time I would say " No Bark", clap my hands and say "Time Out" and place them in a playpen. Once they were quiet I would give them a treat, tell them hoe wonderful they are and let them out. I did this ALL the time and now I just have to say " No" and they stop straight away.
I used the time out method for most of their training and I found it worked really well.

Good luck

[victoria]

He started listening to NO for his barking today. I guess maybe because I said no and used the horn at the same time previously. Either way I'd rather not use the horn or else i'd go deaf too at some point lol.
I don't think the time out would work for him because he usually sleeps in his crate or stays in the exercise pen I got him so I don't want to make him hate it.

[me&my_malts]

Do you leave him in the X-pen or his crate all of the time? The blow horn could make him go deaf. And in my eyes is a cruel punishment. You do not want him to fear you. That will only turn him against you in the long run. I am sure you have heard the old saying that a scared dog will eventually bite the hand that feeds him. And that is so true. You want to show him that you are the Alpha but not make him fear you. How old is your baby?

[victoria]

Do you leave him in the X-pen or his crate all of the time? The blow horn could make him go deaf. And in my eyes is a cruel punishment. You do not want him to fear you. That will only turn him against you in the long run. I am sure you have heard the old saying that a scared dog will eventually bite the hand that feeds him. And that is so true. You want to show him that you are the Alpha but not make him fear you. How old is your baby?
I did it from my bedroom or the kitchen and he's in the living room. I don't think it's deafening from that distance. Maybe to me but surely not to him. I tried the horn thing because I read that you can put coins in a can and shake it to startle a barking puppy so they'd learn to stop.
He's in his crate at night most of the time expect for when he goes in to take naps. If I have to do something around the house I put him in the x-pen. I'd leave him out but he's still chewing a few things and I don't want him to chew the tv wire or something and get hurt. He's 15 weeks old now.

[kelkiss5]

Im thinking maybe he feels lonley in his pen and if he barks he knows you are gona make an apperance, and seeing you again reassures him. Im know expert, but I have never crated any of my girls, and beleive me, if I go to a room the 3 of them are behind me. I also think that for training proposes you should let him out when you are in the house, so he can learn the word NO. I mean if he goes to wires or something and you are with him you can say No, and beleive me he will learn very quickly. Also leave plenty of toys out for him and when he is chewing somthing he shouldnt be tell him a stern NO, then move him to the toys and when he plays with them, give him a lot of praise and maybe a treat. My Betty is is around 17 wks now and she has been avery quick learner, but I must admit she has a sock fetish. Any sock lying about she gets the holt of it and eats the toes out of them, Ive never seen this before, LOL.

[victoria]

Lol the sock thing is cute. Mine does it too but he just shakes them. he does the same with paper too. He usually is out unless i just can't watch him because he follows behind me too. Like if I was cooking or something he'd be in the xpen.

Last night he didn't bark at all. Like I played with him and waited for him to fall asleep, then I went to my room quietly. If I left before he fell asleep though, he'd start barking most likely.

[kelkiss5]

Yep, I know about the cooking thing. Mine be right under my feet, and somtimes I think that they could get really hurt. Im thinking about a child gate so they cant get in when i am cooking. But they would probably bark and and cry to get into me. Am surprised I dont stand on them.lol