Training help?

Question
Hello Delores,

I'm not sure if this is an area that you can help with but thought I would give it a shot.

I have 2 cocker spaniels who are excellent dogs except when being taken outside. They both squeal and nothing can stop them. If I stop to chat with someone then they get impatient and squeal some more. It's as if they are throwing a tantrum because their routine (ie getting straight out without delays) is being interrupted. They go out 5 times a day so are not desperate for the toilet. They also squeal when in the car and leaving the vets etc. Any idea why they do this and how we can put a stop to it as I end up getting cross and frustrated with them. We, my sister and I, even have to take them out of the apartment one by one as otherwise they just feed off each other and squeal even louder. They are 8 and 9 yrs old.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your time

Victoria

Answer
Well, you've sure let this go on for years :)

Yes, you can stop it with one of a few simple techniques.

Get a few empty pop cans...fill with 15 pennies..tape the top shut.

Next time they start shrieking - raise can in air and bring down hard ONCE after saying NO.

Another trick is a simple plastic spray bottle filled with water
and it's NO and spritz in the face.  Make SURE it's a "spray" and not a hard stream of water.

Most dogs will do anything not to hear that can of pennies crash and after one or two times all you'll have to do is pick it up and give it a little tinkle and say NO.

I just used this penny trick on my new rescue who's adorable and sweet but would sit under the dinner table and bark all during dinner.
I tried all the usual approaches..nothing worked...after ONE experience with the can of pennies he never did it again.

Obviously neither of these "corrections" are teaching tools but quite good for stopping a specific behavior.  And you've let them do this for a long time so it's going to take something dramatic to shock them into quitting.

After they do quit - no praise - just carry on.
Let me know how it works out.
Delores