New puppy and camping?

[OC Campers]

My husband and kids brought home a new puppy for my birthday. (I actually wanted one:) ).  Bella is her name and she is 1/2 Boston Terrier and 1/2 Chihuahua.  She is a sweet girl and has most of the Boston terrier mannerisms.  Unfortunately, the one chi trait she has is barking.  Everytime she sees someone or something she goes into a barking fit.  
 
We have a camping trip planned in a couple of weeks (her first).  What can I do to help her become a good camp dog and not spend the whole day barking?  Leaving her home or in a kennel is not an option since we have no family or friends that are "dog" people.
 
Jacqui

[beacher]

Take her out in public ALOT!  She needs to get used to people.  Lots and lots of people.  Reprimand her everytime she tries to bark.  An electronic "zap" collar works great for this type of training.

I used to raise Cocker Spaniels as breeding stock and flushing/hunting dogs.  Uncontrolled barking is unacceptable in a hunting dog, or even worse, a camping dog!

If you really are serious about taking her to a campsite in two weeks, I'd hire a professional dog trainer to get some quick results.

A non-barking Chihuahua mix is a lofty goal!

Good Luck.

[beacher]

Take her out in public ALOT!  She needs to get used to people.  Lots and lots of people.  Reprimand her everytime she tries to bark.  An electronic "zap" collar works great for this type of training.

I used to raise Cocker Spaniels as breeding stock and flushing/hunting dogs.  Uncontrolled barking is unacceptable in a hunting dog, or even worse, a camping dog!

If you really are serious about taking her to a campsite in two weeks, I'd hire a professional dog trainer to get some quick results.

A non-barking Chihuahua mix is a lofty goal!

Good Luck.

[Lonewolf212]

I agree with taking them out a lot. We have a Shitzou, a golden retriever, and a big black dog (rescue mutt). The DW often takes them to Petsmart just to socialize. It makes a difference over time. But some dogs just like to bark.
Our retriever is the worst and at times we've resorted to using a collar that sprays a puff of citronella whenever she barks. It's harmless and really works. And come to think of it, some occasional puffs of citronella around the camp site wouldn't be a bad thing.

[zamboni]

Definitely look into the zap collars.  There are 2 types: ones where you push the button to zap them, and the type that are strictly automatic bark-zappers.

I'd recommend a bark-zapper.  Petsmart usually has them.

Also, with a small dog, I strongly urge crate-training.  We are planning on getting 2 dogs by summer, and will be crate-training them.  I crate-trained my Basenji when I was in college, and it really helped with his temperment.

[Camping Coxes]

Jacqui --
 
An easy form of negative reinforcement is simply a soda can with about five pennies in it, taped shut. When Bela barks, sternly say "NO" and shake the can. Eventually she'll associate that the barking brings on the awful rattle that scares her. A squirt bottle is also effective.

[OC Campers]

Thank you for all the great ideas.  I don't have the money right now for a dog trainer (which I know she needs).  The bark coller is definately something I am going to look into.  I like the can idea but she is not sensative to noise, now the squirt bottle-may just work.  She hates water.   We already have a crate for her.  She gets put in the crate when we leave and for bedtime.
 
Jacqui

[Azusateach]

Jacqui, the bigger question is does she have all of her shots?  If not, you're running a HUGE risk taking her out where other dogs are/have been.  You might want to check with your vet & see what he/she says.  I've heard, though, that you don't take a dog out anywhere until it's had all of its shots.  Hate to pop your bubble, but you want to keep this little ... dog(?) for a long time.  (Can you tell I'm a BIG dog fan???)  

[wavery]

Hey Jacqui,

Please keep us posted on your camping itinerary .

[springer02]

Annie, our terrier/schnauzer/poodle/who knows what is a barker although she's gotten better as she's gotten older.  The first few times we camped with her were terrible, she'd bark at anything.  We got sites away from everybody (that's not all bad!) and said "NO!" about a gazillion times.  Now she'll bark when someone comes into our site but not when they walk by.  

I guess patience is a good place to start.  Socializing your dog is also a good idea.

Good luck!

Tena

[Shelly]

Congratulations on your new puppy.  Lots of wonderful memories to be made.

We had a papillon that went everywhere with us.  Unfortunately age & time (he was 14) happened like it does and we had to put him down this past Sunday.  

Anyway he used to bark.  I never ended up using anything but obedience.  He never stood still long enough for a squirt with a water bottler and back then I couldn't afford the collars.  (I have heard good reviews about them though)  My point is that he was obed. trained, I had patience and camped away from people for a while, and always always stayed consistent.  If you are going to correct her for barking always correct and don't let it slide.  After while my guy aged a bit and quieted down, he also knew that to bark at someone in our space or at our door was okay and once he was acknowledged he always stopped.  He was also crate trained (I'd never have a dog without a crate), if the crate was covered meant he had to be quiet.

But I also agree that you should check with shots etc.  the region where we camp has had a few cases of heartworm.

[mike4947]

FYI: most campgrounds require you to prove the dog has at least rabies shots.
I just had the vet print out a list of the dog's shots with the dates and kept it in my wallet.

[West Coast Canuck]

We took our Shizou/Maltese camping with us and she was a barker, she loved water so the spray bottle was out. We brought her kennel with us and when she barked, we said Kennel!. We also found that when we squeaked her favorite toy it took her attention away from barking. Unfortunately we lost her due to a massive infection that the vet couldn't bring under control, we had to put her to sleep a week ago, she was only 2 years old and she was the baby of our family. My wife and daughters are really it hard. It just isn't the same without her, so camping this summer will be a bit lonely without her. I'm trying to decide when I will buy her a new one.

[OC Campers]

Don't worry, she has had all of her shots.  When my family brought her home in October she was 4 months old already (supposedly).  Unfortunately, her previous home wasn't the best-she was kept outdoors all the time.  I have never heard of a Chi being an outdoor dog. .  Randy asked how old she was and they couldn't tell him exactly.  At Christmas time she even went into "heat".  Supposedly at this time she was 6 months old.  From everything I have read they don't usually go into heat till they are 9-10 months of age (she will be getting spayed next week).  Needless to say she has been a challenge.  But an awefully "cute" challenge.  We will concure this issue just like all the other issues.

Jacqui
 
p.s.  Don't worry Wavery, we will meet eventually while camping and I will make sure we are your closest neighbor:D

[wavery]

p.s.  Don't worry Wavery, we will meet eventually while camping and I will make sure we are your closest neighbor:D

Thanks a lot. I'll remember to bring my old construction generator. If I can hear her over that, I'll feed her to my parrot :p .