Hi everyone. This is my first time here and I have a big question. We have 3 Westies, all girls, all litter mates, all 2 years old. Lately they have begun to bark - and bark - and bark for absolutely no reason. They bark at our other two dogs (who are 5 times their size), they bark at the chair, they bark at their dinner bowls, they bark at the water in their water bowl, they bark at their toy box, they bark at my pillow. And of course when one starts to bark the other two have to chirp in. Last night I was laying on the couch and one of them was laying on the top of the sofa and, out of no where she just let out this HUGE bark, nearly scared me to death to the point where I screamed and there she sat, wagging her tail as if nothing was wrong. If this were just one of them I'd think something was seriously wrong with her but this is all three. Have they all become demented at once? How do I stop this? It's maddening. They even do it in the middle of the night. They aren't sick. They aren't in pain. They wag their tails when they do this. I swear they're doing it on purpose and know exactly what they're doing.

they are bored!! They need mentalm stimulation and plenty of exercise.

my mums 3 westie girls are exactly the same!!!! drive you b****dy mad

Lol, they sound adorable!

It sounds as if they are trying to talk to you and tell you something. Maybe they are bored? and are asking for attention/play time?

I do find that if you have a few dogs (especially the small breeds) when one starts yapping the rest have to join in... that's why it's sometimes best to control this behaviour early on.

Share with you 8 steps to stop your dog barking, try this out:

First step, you will need to determine the reason that made your dog barking. There are so many reasons that contribute to dogs barking. Example, dog will bark when it feel nervous, worry or scare. Some dogs might be barking because they feel not comfortable. Determine the cause of your dog barking will help to increase the possibility of dog bark’s eliminating success.

Second step, get your dog favorite treat or dog toys ready within the reach when you want to perform dog training that will help to eliminate dog barking.

Thirdly, communicate with your dog. When your dog is barking, praise him by saying “Good boy! What wrong?”

Fourthly, if your dogs continue to bark tell him in firm and loud tone “KEEP QUITE” or “QUITE BOY!” You can use whatever command that you wish to, but must be consistent with the command. Please be aware of the voice tone that you used when saying command as dogs are sensitive to sound. These indicate that you are not happy with him.

Fifthly, get the dog treat/ dog toys and waving in front of your dog’s nose. Now, you dog will concentrate in smelling the dog treat/dog toys and stop barking.

Six, as soon as your dog stop barking and smelling on the dog treat/dog toys. Praise your dog –“Good boy!”

Seven, if the dog able to be quite in 3 seconds and concentrating to smell his dog treat/dog toys reward him with the dog treat/dog toys. As time goes by, he will start to understand stop barking will make him to reach his dog treat/dog toys.

Step eight, if you dog start barking. Get another dog treat/ dog toys and wave in front of it. Now, do not give your dog the dog treat/ dog toys until he is able to keep quite for 5 seconds. As the dog training progress, now your dog will start to understand, he will be able to get his dog treat/ dog toys if he can keep quite for a short period of time.

You might want to increase the quite time as the dog training progress. But start with the shortest duration time.

Danielle Chua
PET SUPPLY REVIEWS

My dad has an 8 year old westie and he barks at everything too

Think it is a breed thing, if not bl00dy annoying lol. I'm sure someone will be able to give you some useful advise.

On a side note, did you have all 3 from pups? You were brave weren't you if you did

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Thanks everyone. All great suggestions.
Yes, we have had all three since they were 3 months old. It's a challenge but I wouldn't change it for the world. They are such characters with such crazy distinct personalities. I did read once that dogs go through 3 stages of aggression and that it's perfectly normal. Trying to vie for who among the three is top dog, that kind of thing. Doesn't help my nerves any but I'm pretty sure they are in the 3rd tussle for power.
My problem with training them has always been the same. If you try to do all three at once it doesn't work. One loses interest, sees a fly, hears a bird and off she goes and once she goes, the other two follow. If you try to train them individually the two who are being left out howl and scream and cry and end up upsetting the one being trained. I've tried putting them outside when I try to train one, in another room, even have my husband talk them for a walk. They know they have a sister who's getting something that they aren't and they need to know what. They scream like this if we bath one of them. The other two stand outside the bathroom yelling their heads off. And trying to get their harnesses on to take them for a walk is the WORST. They see the harness, know it means walkies and go nuts. So, we separate them again because all three together is like trying to wrestle a couple dozen bulls at one time, and so the two who are outside the door waiting for their turn and yelling and screaming and the one who is getting the harness on hears them and she starts yelling and screaming.....yes....living with three crazy Westies is a BIG challenge.

maybe they just want your attention, and they spoiled with you.

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How much exercise are they getting?