My dogs are now barking maniacs.  My older dog would only ever bark if something intruded into her terrority, a dustbin wheelie bin being dragged back down the alley, a drunk man singing outside, or the postman at the door.  The one thing I wasn't really happy with was if somebody came into next doors garden (either side) and she heard them she would bark so much we'd have to go in.  I didn't really know how to stop it. 

My young pup (5 months) barks at anything and everything.  Poppy is now copying him and I just went to take them round the block before their bed and they barked (loudly and hysterically) at:  a wall, two people walking behind us (who were scared witless) and a woman walking her dogs at the other end of the road (her dogs were beautifully behaved and treated the noise with disdain).  I heard my neighbour swearing about them today.  I'm mortified.  I don't want to feel scared taking them out but I'm getting nervous at the prospect now.  They are worse in the dark but also just as loud in the daytime.

Please help.  Its just all going wrong.
x

Hi Jodenice, dont be to down hearted, give this ago, put the dogs out at separate times when you let them out just one on it's own.  Also when you take them for a walk just take one until your puppies is trained to how you wont her, it might be a good idea to enrole her in some dog socialisation classes so she can get used to different noises and dogs, also people.  when they bark in the back get a well washed out bottle with a sprayer on put clean water in it, you can also purchase them from shops.  Every time the one whats in the back barks squirt it with water. If you dont like squirting them with water put one dog in the back and when there's a noise and she barks say no straight away, if someone walks past and she makes no noise give her a treat straight away until she realises that if she's quite she gets a treat do the samw thing with both dogs, or everytime they bark bring the dog in as soon as it barks so it associates that if it barks it comes in.  Do the same thing on walks if it barks take it back home.  I hope this helps, someone else will help you also soon.  Dogs are like children they copy everything the other one is doing so the best thing is to split them up when they're being naughty train one and then hopefully the other separately though and then when they're well behaved start doing things together again.

Warmest regards Susan

Not that I've tried it, but a lot of books suggest teaching a dog to bark on command, then teaching it to stop on command, you could try that? I know what you mean about one setting the other off!

Thank you for the replies and the PMs - I took Lubo out tonight on his own.  I also used this opportunity to train him not to pull at the lead.  He did bark at somebody who came slamming out of their house but it was such a difference - it was easier to calm him down and also a lot less threatening for the man to see a puppy barking than two slathering dogs!  I also took Poppy out on her own and she returned to her normal darling self! 

In answer to a PM question, they bark when they are startled and they bark when they hear the man next doors deep voice.  They are much more mistrustful of men and I'm sure this is because they only really have my boyfriend (the rest of their lives are full of women!)

I shall persevere and try and find a training class.  I also want to find a puppy socialisation class!  I can do this!!!!

Yes you can Jodenice as you said they're probably not used to men as much as woman and if you go to a socialisation class it will get them used to both sexes young and old.  Good luck and all the best.

Warm regards Susan