A barking frenzy

Q: I have two miniature dogs, a poodle and a dachshund, both males who have been fixed, both about 3 years old. They bark at every little noise — even at the radio or television! They also go crazy when the doorbell rings and when a visitor comes into the house. I have tried all I can think of to stop them, with no success. Help, I’m at the end of my rope! — Marvene J., Aurora, Mo.

A: Wow, you’ve really got a challenge there! Both toy poodles and dachshunds are energetic, smart dogs with instinctive guard-dog mentalities. Dachshunds think they are 10 times bigger than they really are, and like to vocalize that fact. Poodles are real scrappers, and like to vocalize that fact.

What I mean is, both dogs need a firm hand at the reins. Constant obedience training is important: Both need to respond to your command to sit and stay, no matter what excitement is occurring. Both need to become more socialized to humans, if possible, to reduce aggressiveness toward strangers.

Because specific and regular training is needed, I recommend that you purchase and keep on hand an obedience training book specifically written for each breed: one for the poodle, one for the dachshund.

Develop a daily training schedule — about an hour each day — as well as specific routines for answering the door or controlling barking at sudden noises.

Both dogs will always attempt to bark at things they see as threats, but with steady work the noise can be brought down to a cautious “ruff” from time to time.