I have a little Schipperke/Chihuaha mix and I know he got his barking from the Chihuaha side . He thinks he is a big guard dog and I am trying to get him to stop when it comes to people coming over for dinner or even just walking down the street. He is about 7 yrs old (a shelter dog), we have had him for almost 3 yrs and he has gradually progessed for the better over the years.

If he sees any one (they could be down the block) he starts growling and barking. If he hears the wind blow he barks. I often think he is doing it in the back yard just to hear himself bark. My husband treats him like gold - Shrek can do no wrong. I constantly tell him to stop babying him but he doesnt listen.

I have marker trained him and he just does not get "eh-eh" or "no" (he thinks its funny and starts hopping around). I dont mind punishing him but he tends to run off and be "un-catchable" if he even thinks any sort of punishment is coming his way.I have tried turning around away when he sees something that makes him growl or bark. Then trurning back around when he is quiet. I have tried even a leash correcting and that does not work. I cant use a bark collar because he freezes and wont move when its on (he thinks his movement will set it off). I have been working on "watch me" a lot lately and it has been helping for in the house but when we get outside he wont even eat a treat or play with a toy (the tree to pee on is much better).

So my question is is there hope for my little noise machine and if so how can I fix it?

I forgot to add the fearful part. He hates anyone but the few people he has grown to trust. He will not let anyone pet him unless he has know them for a few weeks and grew close to them.

 Quote: tiffany holtfret

I forgot to add the fearful part. He hates anyone but the few people he has grown to trust. He will not let anyone pet him unless he has know them for a few weeks and grew close to them.

This makes much more sense than "He thinks he is a big guard dog." (He doesn't think that.)

Also, "is afraid of and reactive to" might well replace "hates."

1. Why is a stranger allowed to try to pet him? I'd stop that as Step 1. Now.

2. I'd start completely over with the recall, which is now corrupted by both using it when you can't enforce it with a long line and it's not reliable (thereby training him that it's optional) AND by using it to catch and punish him. Would you respond to a call to be punished? I'd start with a new word, in fact, because it's so tainted now.

3. I'd keep working on focus on you but stop trying to take it into heavy distraction so fast. Distractions (including changes of venue) are added gradually, step by step.

You'll get lots of advice, I think; also, I'd recommend looking up "desensitizing" threads here (in Search, use all forums, the search term desensitizing, and a much wider date range than the given one -- maybe two years.)

Well said Connie.

I grew up with medium and large dogs. When I got two small dogs, my methods with them have changed dramatically. I'm not comfortable doing a leash correction on small dogs as I do with large dogs. They are more vulnerable to injuries than large dogs.

In fact one of them has a grade three patella in one knee and another knee was corrected in surgery. I hope you quit giving your small dog a correction on the leash. My opinion, it is too much for a small dog to take and only makes it more irritated. I have seen people getting irritated with their small dogs and jerked the leash hard cause more further injuries. Like accidentally stepping on one of their paws, etc.

What I did with them, I practice a lot of marker training and follow NILIF strictly. (nothing in life is free) It helps you become a better pack leader and plus follow Ed's groundwork on dogs. Right now you need to fix your pack issue with your dog first before you start anything next. You admitted that you baby too much with this little dog so the only person who can stop it is you.

Also, I would do a lot of reading when to give affection to your dog at the right time and right reason. There is no rule about how much affection you can give, but you need to understand when to give and why to give. Not when the dog demands your attention, but you demand it. It does make a difference in your relationship with your dog.

After you resolve the issues with being a better pack leader with your dog, you start the next small steps like Connie explained above.

Also, if you dog barks at bugs or whatever, it is a good chance she's bored! Seems like she is trying to find something to keep her simulated.

Good luck

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

Also, if you dog barks at bugs or whatever, it is a good chance she's bored! Seems like she is trying to find something to keep her simulated.

A good point that I often overlook!

Exercise and (training) that drains frustrated energy is part (or all) of so many answers ....

 Quote: connie sutherland

1. Why is a stranger allowed to try to pet him? I'd stop that as Step 1. Now.

2. I'd start completely over with the recall, which is now corrupted by both using it when you can't enforce it with a long line and it's not reliable (thereby training him that it's optional) AND by using it to catch and punish him. Would you respond to a call to be punished? I'd start with a new word, in fact, because it's so tainted now.

Strangers are not allowed to pet him (strangers to me) but our friends that may come over for a football game or something may try to pet him when he walks by. Those are the ones I am wanting him to feel less stressed around.

When it comes to his recall I have never told him "come" and punished him. Is it still corrupted? I have also never worked with him on a long line because to be honest nothing I do is exciting enough for him to come to me. Whether it be food, toys, or plain excitement. (he is not really a toy kind of dog)

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

Well said Connie.

What I did with them, I practice a lot of marker training and follow NILIF strictly. (nothing in life is free) It helps you become a better pack leader and plus follow Ed's groundwork on dogs. Right now you need to fix your pack issue with your dog first before you start anything next. You admitted that you baby too much with this little dog so the only person who can stop it is you.

Also, I would do a lot of reading when to give affection to your dog at the right time and right reason. There is no rule about how much affection you can give, but you need to understand when to give and why to give. Not when the dog demands your attention, but you demand it. It does make a difference in your relationship with your dog.

He has been really good with the marker training as far as basic OB. I have tried countlessly to show pack leadership (not give attention when he asks.... even hand feed him his food) and unfortunately my husband is the one who babies him and seems to shoot everything I do out the window.

He does not have a great food drive so dinners are really optional to him - I only leave the food down for 20-30 min tops. Some days he eats and others he doesn't. I have tried to not feed him for a while and it doesnt work. He would rather sleep. I have tried to up the ante with canned food to see if that would get him goind but he didnt like that at all. Now people food he has a thing for but not when we're outside. (I am telling you this little creature is crazy-I thought I knew dogs...until him! )

Any other options on showing leadership?

With my limited knowledge and experience, I can tell you that you MUST get your husband on board with the program (whatever it may be.. gw, obd, etc) to make it work. If you're doing it one way and your husband is doing it another, at the very least your dog will be confused. Consistency is really key!

And also just wanted to say that I share your pain in the low food/toy drive department. Everything you described (low food/toy drive, 0 food drive outside, etc) I see with my rescue. If anything, it has taught me to learn to be more patient.

husband groundwork

Have your husband read some of the articles on this website. Watching an episode of Dog Whisperer together might also help.