Hi Everyone

I posted a while ago about Molly barking and got some really helpful advice.  We started telling her she was a good girl and showing her there was nothing there and the problem improved.

However, over the last two weeks her barking has begun to get out of control.  She used to bark and whine at dogs on the telly - they didn't need to make a sound - she would bark as soon as they appear.  Now though she barks at almost evrything - any type of animal, coloured people, men in kilts - you name it, it sets her off!  What started out to be quite funny is now quite annoying.  We have tried telling her 'QUIET' and soon as she stops, distracting her with toys and games, clapping our hands etc.

She was also the same if she heard people outside and would stand up on her back legs to try and see through the window (she's an 8 month Westie so not very successful in this!).  If you left her up to see she will growl at anything she sees - car, postman, child on a bike - and they don't even need to be near the house.

The problem has got worse this week though.  She sleeps upstairs with us and has aways been great - she knows what 'bedtime' means and she gets a treat to eat before lights out.  However, the last two nights have been horrendous.  She has been 'digging' at the duvet, trying to attack my husbands hands (not nastily, but play mouthing), fighting continuously with the cat and non-stop barking.  She either runs round the room full-on barking or lays on the floor/bed making stupid 'gruffing' nises under her breath.  every time you think she's settled down she starts again!

We have closed the windows, closed the door to stop her running round the house, tried bribing her - the lot.  I have to say, last night I really shouted at her but she just did't care.  Monday night we went to bed at 10.30 and were still awake at gone midnight (she also disturbes us during the night) so last night we went to bed at 9.30 (so tired) and were still awake at 11.45.

So I'm after any help - is it becuase she's in season and can't go out so has excess energy?  Is it her 'teenage' phase or is she just plain annoying?  I'm even thinking of an anti-bark collar for wearing at night.

Please help this very stressed out, very tired mum!

It wouold seem she is a pretty excitable reactive kind of dog at the best of times.  Being in season her hormones are telling her that she needs to find a mate, so she is very unsettled.  Being confined with less excersise is also not helping her to settle.

I would personally have a tiring game of fetch the ball or whatever she likes, to use up her pent up energy.

Then she needs to learn to settle and not run about attacking telly etc.  It may be an idea to get a light lead on her and hold it so that you can control her movements when she is supposed to be chilling out. 

A Crate would also be great for this and for settling her at night.  She wouldn't be able to get up and annoy you.  They are also great for using in the car in order to keep her and you safe, and for when you visit freinds and relatives, as it will be somewhere she can settle safely, or be put out of the way.  They fold down neatly and can be stored away flat.

There are some very good quality crates on special offer at the moment from Marlin.  They have rubbber feet rounded corners, and a door in the short end and in the top, so would be excellent for use with a small dog like yours.

The size that I think would be good for you would be the Delux Edition Medium, which is 24inches long, 18 inches wide and 23 inches tall, it costs £30 +post and Packing.  (t has a plastic tray with metal protectors around the edge to deter chewing, and comes complete with a Cotton Dirt Trapper mat.  I bought one just before Christmas to use with my pup and am impressed with the quality.  It also has a little door within the door so you can put a lead on or off without the dog getting out,or to put food or water in and out.  Their phone no is Tel. 0870 22 00 686

I bought the next size up (31 x 22 x 26) for use with one Elkhound as it is just big enough for one (I have a large metal crate, and a fabric one for two or more).