Watchdog

[JeffInNYC]

You know I really love my dog and since getting him a little over a year ago, I have become quite the dog lover.  He is a rat terrier and very friendly.  He was always quiet until he was 9 months old...then it seemed like he learned how to bark - which is fine.  The problem is that anytime he remotely hears anything or anyone in the hallway outside my apartment, he runs to the door and starts barking and howling.

At night I crate him and he sleeps next to me...sometimes I hear a lowkey "ruff" which wakes me and I listen closely and then hear one of my neighbors door slamming.

Overall this is great because its like he is alerting me but at the same time, its annoying when a neighbor merely leaves his apartment that my dog goes nuts.

Maybe this is what he is supposed to do? He is a great watchdog but any way I can get him to tone it down a little?

[Val]

I know exactly what you're going through, Jeff!  And, am afraid that there won't be much that you'll be able to do about it... I loved my baby more than anything else in this world.  He was a watchdog as well.  The barking  and howling lasted for about five years, really, until I was able to calm him down!

Val
P.S. Popeye was a cocker spaniel.
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[JeffInNYC]

My little man is a rat terrier...great loveable dog and extremely friendly, even timid at times and very low maintenance - but one hell of a territorial watchdog!