Barky Von Schnauzer

Some Schnauzer lines are like this- they bark just to bark... there really doesn't have to be a reason. We have a customer that brings hers in for grooming, and she uses a bark collar- it doesn't shock the dog, it sprays him with a mist of water when he barks- and it has worked wonderfully for her. Thankfully, the line my 3 Schnauzers are from is a very quiet group lol. They only bark when there is a reason for them to bark (someone at the door, etc).

There is this device called a Halti Head Collar (also Gentle Leader is a different but similar brand). It works like a horse halter, kind of looks like a muzzle but you attach a leash to it and use it to walk the dog. Its not a muzzle though, it works under the same principle as the horse halter: if you can control the head, you can control the entire animal. When you first put it on he'll flop around like a fish trying to rub it off, but it doesn't hurt him in any way and he'll soon get used to having a weird thing on his face. I'd invest in one of these because its a good "shutter upper". When pulled on, it forces the dog's mouth closed and the only sound he can get out is a little muffled bark. When you take him for walks, put on the Halti and when he starts barking, give him a little yank and say "Quiet!" or something to that extent. The Halti will force him to shut his mouth and he will soon learn to associate "Quiet!" with having his mouth shut. You can even go so far as to keep the halti on him indoors and have him drag a leash or an obedience tab (which is like a micro mini leash). Keep an eye out so he doesn't get caught up on something, though. When he barks indoors, without missing a beat, hop on over there and give him a little yank and say "Quiet!". But I'm sure he's not an idiot and he'll learn the difference between having the Halti on and not having it on. The key here is going to be your verbal correction. I'm assuming that since he's well trained in his boundaries (ie. coming into the living room only when called) then he is probably a good candidate for being able to follow your command. So be consistent with the verbal command WHILE he has the halti on because it will be crucial that he makes the connection when the collar comes off. If he's a little more intractible, then you'll have to keep going back to using the Halti. Soon he'll realize that if he barks, he has to wear that thing on his face.

LoL... I have absolutely NO suggestions GlentheAstronaut. Sorry... but, my miniature schnauzer (Sunshine) is a Barky Von Schnauzer too!! I live in an apartment so it is very difficult to try to keep him quiet sometimes. He is pretty good inside, except when he hears the neighbors coming home... especially in the evenings when everyone is coming home from work, etc. He gets barky when he is playing & yes... when out for a walk he barks barks barks at the other dogs he sees too. He realllyyy doesn't like things with wheels (except cars - they are ok)... he doesn't like bikes, skateboards, rollerskates, baby strollers, etc. etc. etc... LoL! I think the noise scares him so he barks like a crazy dog! At home, we do have a bark collar which I only use on him when he just won't stop or when I run the vacuum cleaner (he really hates the vacuum!). I only leave it on him for a few minutes and he pouts like a baby & I take it off. It usually works pretty well. Sometimes all I have to say is "do you need your collar?" and he stops. Good luck... & if you hear of any great tips on the barking issue let me know!

It's what dogs do, if you didn't want a barking dog then why did you adopt him?