My dog's recently started screeching all the time...

[Violet_Crumble]

She's a tiny foxy/chihuaha cross called Mini and she only recently started screeching loudly whenever someone comes to the front door, I open the door to let her out, and sometimes when she's being patted by people she doesn't know. I thought she might have been in pain, but she doesn't seem distressed and doesn't do it when I've been holding her, so I'm guessing it's some neurotic little dog thing. It wouldn't be an issue except I live in a townhouse complex and Mini rushing out the door shrieking at the top of her lungs without taking a breath isn't good seeing as how the committee is strict when it comes to animal noise. I don't want to have to try to find a new home for her, so does anyone have any ideas on how to stop her doing it?

[Violet_Crumble]

1. I forgot to mention that she does it when she's excited as well...

Just in case there's any Dog Whisperer types who have any clue about why she'd be doing what she's doing. Thanks in advance for any ideas...

[TorchTheWitch]

2. she's likely doing it to get your attention

and probably because whatever it was she did before to get your attention wasn't working or wasn't working consistently. She's discovered that when she makes this noise, she gets what she wants whether it's to be let outside or stop a stranger petting her that she doesn't want to pet her or to express her excitement.

Whenever she makes this noise, she needs to be corrected and not given whatever it is that she wants at the moment until she's quite and calm. What do you do to correct her when she does something you don't want her to do? If telling her "no" or whatever it is you do to stop her from doing a behavior you don't agree with and that works, just do the same thing when she makes this noise and don't let her have whatever it is that she wants until you make her be quite and calm first... only give her what she wants when she's quiet and calm.

Start paying closer attention to her to learn her cues that she needs or wants something. I see that the reason for this noisemaking is a result of your not cueing in to her previous clues that she needed or wanted something and she discovered that this noise gets her more immediate attention and action in her favor.

I live in a rowhouse, so can't have a dog that makes a lot of noise. I've trained my dog that excessive barking or other excessive noisemaking is not wanted and won't get him what he wants, but the tradeoff is that I have to give him other ways to tell me he wants or needs something and respond when he tells me, and that means paying closer attention to his silent signals.

My dog isn't comfortable with strangers petting him and takes awhile to feel comfortable enough with a new person to be comfortable with their petting him. Dogs need a chance to accept a new person before wanting to be pet by them... mine just takes a little longer than more friendly and outgoing dogs before he'll accept someone and want them to pet him. Some dogs are just naturally a bit stand-offish when it comes to either strangers petting them or being pet much at all. Akitas are often a bit stand-offish when it comes to displays of affection even with their owners. It's not like they don't like affection, but prefer the affection is more "dignified" and not excessive. The one I used to have was of the dignified sort. He liked being pet and scratched but not excessively and didn't like cuddling much at all. The one I have now is really odd in that he ADORES excessive affection but only from me. It's pretty cool since I'm not accustomed to an Akita being so... er... undignified. I really like all the excessive cuddling and petting and spooning and hugging that he's comfy with.

[CountAllVotes]

3. maybe she is sick?

I have a cat that I took to the vet recently. He was doing this meowing thing in the middle of the night and it was very annoying to say the least. I thought he was doing it for attention. It turns out he was/is quite sick.

Maybe you should have her checked out perhaps just in case? :shrug:

[Violet_Crumble]

5. Yeah, it's still going on so I'm taking her to the vet next week...

I suspect it's some nervous neurotic little dog thing she's developed, but it does worry me that she might have something wrong with her...

[Mz Pip]

4. Here's what worked

for a couple of friends of mine. They bought a collar that has citronella in it. whenever the dog started yapping the collar let off a puff of citronella. Dogs hate the smell of it and it took about 2 yappings and that was it. It's worked on 3 dogs that I know of and one was a totally neurotic schitzu who had been yappy for years.

I don't know what it's called but my friends bought it at a local pet shop.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. Thanks. I might see if I can get hold of one...

I hope they make them really small as my dog's got to be one of the tiniest dogs of all time! :)