Barking/Whining

[alitach]

It's funny but when I first got Goliath (chihuahua) I thought he would be the barker and whiner because of all the things I heard about small dogs. But he is quiet and doesn't bark unless he doesn't recognize you or hears something funny.
Now we get to Cleo who weighs in at round 35 pounds and she whines for attention and barks for fun. I got her to stop the barking for a time but now she only does it when she wants to play. But the whining has been going on for a while. When she starts to whine, I'll tell her "no" and "go lay down" which seem to work when she wants to but then there are those times where she won't stop. I don't use force with my dogs as I don't want them to be scared around me or others. So I used a water bottle to spray her in the face (an idea I got from a website) and it works so so.
Does anyone else have ideas on how to manage the whining better?

[Yme2]

Whining is not just for small dogs. Every morning when my husband goes to work our Mastiff crys like a baby at least a hour or more. He sit's with his nose against the window and waches him go. It wouldn't be so bad but this is at 3 in the morning. He's so attached and when my husbands hours changed about a month ago the crying started.Youed think he would get usto it already.
Dar

[hollyjo]

We have a tv programme in England about doggie issues! On one episode she showed you how to control your dogs barking. Basically you have to make the dog bark and then say very firmly "Stop" when they stop you give them a treat and praise. I think the idea is that you say it firmly so that the dog is surprised and stops barking and then you immediately treat and praise so eventually the dog catches on to the fact that when they stop barking they get treats!! It might work with whining, its worth a go!

[mom2bichons]

Poor guys, they do not understand. Did the Mastif whine/cry before when your husband left for work, or is this new with his hours change?

Dexter and Gidget whine when Mitsie (Dexter's girlfriend and Gidget's friend) comes by, she could be two houses away but man oh man.

[LadyTalisman]

Another programme we have her in England is one called Dog Borstal and they say you can use a plastic bottle with a few stones in and every time she barks shake it once sharply then give a treat.

It sounds harsh but it worked on quite a few dogs and now they only bark when they really need to.

[Yme2]

Hi Beth,
I guess Walter is just a big daddys boy.
He still crys when his daddy leaves for work. But now it's only about 10 min's. So I guess he's doing better.The funny thing is when we first adopted him 3 years ago he hated men. I had to teech him that my husband would not hurt him. Well I did that and now he's just a big baby.You can just look at him and want to hug him slober and all. John gives him extra attion when he get's home even if they just take a nap together. Here they are. LOL
000_0066 wj.jpg

[Mommyof4]

The only time Raven really barks or howls is when an ambulance or a fire truck or anything with sirens pass by. She barks and howls at the sirens!
It is more cute than annoying. She holds one paw in the air, while sticking her nose straight up and howls like you would not beleive!

[Yme2]

LOL
I know that siren howl all too well.
My Husky has it down to a science.. ....

[Bertina]

I can't remember how we got Shadow to stop whining/crying..
She's a whiner...She'll whine if Daddy leaves the car just to fill gas, or to walk into a store, or she'll start crying if we start pet the cat, or if she sees me bring out the treats, she'll start up..(many, many other instances) but what we do is we "shuush" her. Or say "that's enough". When she gets really loud then its "QUIET" and she usually stops. I wonder if its just the tone of voice used?

[crispy]

John gives him extra attion when he get's home even if they just take a nap together. Here they are. LOL

I just read this post, better late than never eh guys? What an adorable picture. You have to love 'em even if they do whine I guess. (the dogs I mean)