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Comment by Cassandra on July 18, 2010 at 9:58am

Actually, I'd forgotten all about it, but I did use a spray collar with Molly very early on. We were kenneling her through the house training process and when we'd put her in at night she'd carry on non-stop. The collar that we had sprayed a citronella scent. I don't think that was a calming agent, but again, more of the distraction to break the behavior, and was mildly annoying to her. Maybe there are lavendar or other calming agents available for this purpose. I'd think that this would have the same distraction factor, but the scent would be more pleasant and might calm as well. I say if you can find it go for it! This didn't actually stop the barking completely, but taught her to use an "Inside Voice" (more of a huff than a bark, low enough not to activate the collar) which I found hilarious, but which let Mike and I get some sleep at night, at least. This lasted only a few weeks as we let her begin sleeping in a doggy bed in the bedroom once she could be trusted. And once she could sleep near us she had no more night time barking issues.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on July 17, 2010 at 10:54pm

Oh boy!
When we took Sidney to his first obedience class, he was barking at everyone! It was so embarrassing! One of the instructors came over and asked if she may correct his behavior. We said yes, sure. She pulled a squirt bottle from her belt and gave him a little squirt. Hee hee, was he confused. He barked again - squirt! He was quiet - lots of praise and "good boy". She gave us the squirt bottle and said to use it if he barked again, and to praise him when he was quiet. Well, he never barked again in class!

We keep a squirt bottle by the door at home. There are two times that he will bark (1) there is someone at the door or (2) we are going out for a walk. All I have to do, usually, is show him that I have the bottle in my hand and he quiets right up. Very, very effective!

Comment by Bev Levy on July 17, 2010 at 11:08am

I have this problem with Sparty when doing obedience work with him. I found that running through some of his tricks (shake hands, down etc)helped but mostly I just resigned myself to having Mr Noisey. I'll have to try the spray bottle. It never worked in the house when people come to the door but maybe in class.... Sparty has always been pretty vocal about everything even to getting in a closed mouth woof after being scolded. It is funny though in spite of this he is always the obedience star!

Comment by Reese on July 17, 2010 at 9:41am

We don't really have this issue with Reese, she's never been much of a barker. Lucky us! However, I always wondered how the calming collar works. Suppose to have a smell that calms them down... Would anyone use that to help a constant barking dog???

Comment by Cassandra on July 17, 2010 at 9:00am

Corgi's are vocal dogs, no doubt! Speaking to her, stroking her, etc, might just look to her like you're participating in her moment. It helps to do something that will totally break their focus for a moment and kind of let them "reset". I've trained Molly with a squirt bottle. Its a harmless way to break her focus on the barking. When she starts going I tell her to be quiet, then if she doesn't obey, I warn her that I'm going to squirt her, and follow through if needed. It didn't take long for this to become effective. Usually the warning that "I'm gonna squirt you!" quiets her down. Maybe ask the agility instructor what they think?