i was wondering if someone could help me... i have a 2yr old bitch.. half chihuahua and half yorkshire terrier.when i let her out in the front garden she barks at everyone that goes past.. so i started putting her in the back garden because i have a high fence that goes all the way around but still no joy! as soon as she hears footsteps or anyone nearby,she starts barking again and goes mad! i cannot leave her in the garden longer than 5 mins and then im shouting at her to come back in again.. and it continues like this all day!! i would just love to leave her in the garden for a few hours and get no noise! please can someone help... thanks rachel

What I have found works in this sort of situation is to distract the dog, say by clapping, call her to you, have a treat ready and ask her to do a simple obedience type thing that you know she can do - like 'sit' or 'down' and then reward her for that - she's probably doing it for attention, so also make sure you reward her by spending time with her when she's out there and being good.  Do NOT shout at her for doing it as she'll think you're also stressed out by the presence of what ever it is, and this will make her bark even more.  You may find she gets a little worse (trying to bark more frequently) before she gets better, but this is quite normal, stick with it ;)

i think ive nearly tried everythink.. i have ignored her completly to stop her thinking she is getting attention.. i have tried going out with toys or calling her but because she barks so loud .. i dont think she can hear me! when she is barking i have to go out to the bottom of the garden and go right up to her for her to notice me so i can get her in.. it is horrible on a hot day because i cant leave my patio doors open due to this.... thanks for your help tho... i just hope she grows out of this.

Sorry to say this, but she won't grow out of it. She is just warning the 'noise' that there is a dog (her) living here, so be aware of it ;) Mine still bark at every little noise. Annoys the neighbours on one side of me, but my other neighbours are glad. They are elderly, so don't hear so well. At least they know when someone is about. In fact the neighbours on the other side of the ones that don't like my dogs have told me not to stop them barking. I think they just want to annoy our mutual neighbours all the more

I just go out and distract them. I'm afraid that leaving them just doesn't work. They'll just carry on barking until stopped.

citronella spray collars , yeah

lindylou... i have elderly neighbours on one side of me aswell and they are brilliant!! but it is annoying if i let my dog out late at nite for a wee and she starts barking her head off!! i dont have anyone else living on the other side of me but i do have a little side walk... so you can imagine the noise she makes when a gang of kids hang out there! i think i just should be grateful she makes a good guard dog lol... thanks anyway

My elderly neighbours told me last week that they now have the best neighbours ever living next door. Not me, my dogs ;) They keep trying to pinch (oops sorry) 'borrow' my dogs. :D Not a chance!!!! Though I have said that if I need a dog sitter for a show I'll let them know :) Wonder if I'll get them back.......