My new rescue dog barks non-stop. How do I calm her anxiety?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 1 year and 2 months old | 12 lbs
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.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 23rd, 2016
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
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 20th, 2020
It sounds like this dog has some behavior issues - she may be territorial when new people get too close to her space or fearful of specific people or situations in general. I doubt it would be related to her previous surgery but it's difficult to know. You could try a calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure or Adaptil spray if they are available in your area, but otherwise I'd recommend finding a trusted dog trainer or behaviorist.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on March 16th, 2017
She does sound very anxious! I'm not sure what caused this anxiety to start, and one recommendation I would make is to have her see a professional behavioral expert. The best way to treat this anxiety is to identify the cause behind it. Once the trigger is discovered, the behavioral expert can discuss training strategies for dealing with it. I'd also recommend getting her a DAP diffuser and a Sentry calming collar. The diffuser releases pheromones into the air that helps calm a dog, while the Sentry calming collar releases these pheromones when in contact with her skin. You may also discuss the use of anti-anxiety drugs in her with your vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on August 16th, 2018
Hi there. You could try a daily natural calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure, if you want to. An Adaptil pheromone collar can also be helpful for mild anxiety issues. If these things don't help, you may want to consider seeing a veterinary behaviorist to discuss a more comprehensive treatment plan for her anxiety issues, which may include prescription medication if needed. You can search for one in your area here: www.dacvb.org
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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