OD's family needs help!

[Tom Kuenzi]

OD is a rescue 7yr old Pem.Male from a broken home.

He is a great dog in every way but barks at everything!
He will bark when the family laughs, touches, hugs, when a noise is outside, a car drives by, friends come over, everything.

It would not be so bad but when he starts it goes on and on and on - until it becomes a low grumble... He never growls like he will bite or HAS bitten.

He gets very stressed out it seems and we just can't seem to calm him.

Otherwise he is HAPPY, PLAYFUL, and loves to be around ALL of us alike.
We take him everywhere, even camping in the motor home.

We have had him just over a year. Any suggestions on how to calm him down and/or stop or shorten the barking sessions.

Thank you for any help.

[Chip's Mom]

Hello and welcome to the Board. when OD starts barking, you might want to start distracting him with a ball or something. Hopefully, someone will have a good answer for you.

[Bayoucorgi]

Oh Tom, Poor OD. Are there any behavioral trainers in your area. It's difficult to evaluate OD without seeing him. I adopted a rescue corgi about 7 months ago and he is a wonderful dog but barks a LOT more than the breed I had before. Liam will jump up when we're watching tv if hears a leaf fall in the yard - not kidding. He scares the bejeezles out of me if I'm home alone.

I am teaching him the command "quiet". I will hold his muzzle firmly enough that he cannot get away and I will look him in the eye and shake once pretty harshly. And say "quiet" firmly.

I was doing this to another dog who was BARKING in my face. As soon as I would let go he would BARK again. I kept grabbing his muzzle and giving the shake and command and each time I would let go he would BARK again. But each time, he would bark a little shorter duration. Finally when I let go he meekly, he hung his head and said "woof" very quietly. As if he needed to have the last word. I let him have it but he knew what quiet meant after that.

Liam will bark the first time now and then if I say "quiet" he will make this roo-roo growling sound just to let me know he's still on guard.

Keep us posted. Good luck.

[Tom Kuenzi]

Thanks Chip's mom & Bayoucorgi -
I think OD has seen some physical battles at his last "broken home" and is why he reacts so badly with the barking.
None of us can laugh/talk loud, hug or kiss without HIM seeing it as a threat.
And yes a falling leaf will set him off - the grumbling however is VERY cute and HE always gets in the last word. Thanks again... w/earplugs

[ZdogZ]

Zia (6 months old) barks all the time, too. I am trying really hard to break her of this, too. I hope someone has the magic answer! OD is very cute!

[Chip's Mom]

Tom:

My Dale is a talker - he is only 12 weeks old but he will bark, growl or grumble as I call it just to let me know he doesn't approve. He doesn't growl as much now because I totally ignore him and keep doing whatever it is to him that he is annoyed about. Mostly it is taking him outside to potty when he would rather play. Hopefully, OD will settle down and learn to be a little quieter. It sounds like you are a great Dad.

[milles2]

Squirt bottle with water in it.

[Chip's Mom]

Susan:

I wonder if that would create a whole new set of issues with OD because they don't really know what causes him to bark like that. I think physical battles was mentioned in his previous home and he is 7. I am curious as to what Debbie (glencorgi) will suggest.