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Barking Terrier

20 11:18:47

Question
I have what appears to be a mix rat terrier and possible Chihuahua or something else who barks at everything.  When I say everything, I mean it.  When my husband comes into the house, he barks, if he hears a noise outside, he barks.  If someone moves the trash can in the kitchen, he barks.  It's constant and he acts as if he is going to chew up whatever or whomever is making the noise.  I've tried some tactics Cesar Milan does to ask him to quit, but it isn't working.  I'm at wits end and my husband feels like throwing whatever is in his hands at the dog to quiet him.  He is about 3 1/2 years old and rescued him from Louisville, KY when he was about 1 1/2 years old.  They found him wondering the streets.  I'm sure that has something to do with his fears and aggressions.  He doesn't bite and loves kids.  Adults do intimidate him somewhat though.  He is a wonderful dog and I love him dearly.  If someone comes to the doors, he barks which is not the major problem.  However, it's the creaks and cracks that he barks at that drive me crazy.  In the yard, he barks at anyone and everything...including the squirrels.  He goes into a trance with the squirrels and tries to climb the trees to get to them.  I have thought about a shock collar but am hesitant.  Does anyone have a solution to this chronic barking problem?  Thank you

Answer
I had this problem with one of my dogs a few years ago.  I was constantly yelling at her, tried bark collars, I tried everything!  It finally came down to taking her to the vet and got her debarked. Its a simple procedure.   OMG....our lives changed so much.  She could bark her fool head off and I wasn't yelling at her all the time to stop.  It wasn't an option for me because we lived in an apartment at the time.  Life was so much better.  I have done this to a couple others that I have and it helped my dogs and my sanity.  

Hope this helps.
Tammy