My new rescue dog barks non-stop. How do I calm her anxiety?

Question

My brand new rescue (1 year old, most likely a Chihuahua/Terrier mix) was great the first three days other than barking at large dogs during walks. But now she is barking incessantly both inside and outside the apartment, and I'm not sure what is setting her off. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 1 year and 2 months old | 12 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Many dogs bark at sounds or unfamiliar objects or people, especially when they are first getting used to a new environment. If she is barking all the time, I suspect that she is somewhat anxious and "on-edge" about lots of different things - she may have been poorly socialized as a puppy, which often leads to excessive anxiety about new things and lots of barking as a result. If you think this might be the case, there are a few things you can do to help. A DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure can help to relieve some of her anxiety - these can be purchased online with out a prescription, and are helpful for many dogs with this issue. Inside the house, you can also use a white noise machine or some other type of background noise to help block out sounds from outside that may trigger the barking. Outside, I would carry treats with you when you take Mitsu for walks. Anytime she sees something and starts to bark, call her back to you and give her a treat. Over time, she will learn to look at you for her treat when she sees something that startles her, rather than barking and lunging. If you need help with this, I would suggest getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

My new rescue dog barks non-stop. How do I calm her anxiety?

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