We got a new rescue last week, after our beloved Abby passed away.

[phylny]

She's been great so far, with one exception: when my husband or one of our daughters walks into the room, she barks and barks, even if she'd just been sitting with the person five minutes earlier. Any suggestions as to why this is happening, and how to correct it?

[marzipanni]

1. I think it just takes a little time.

How old is she?
My husband knew an older guy who helped, and than captured, a stray dog that had been living in a culvert. The man left his raggedy, old coat in the culvert to provide warmth and comfort and allow the dog to become familiar with the man's scent, and he left food and water. He sat nearby a bit each day and after a few days she trusted him and he took her home.

Maybe your husband and daughters could wear an old article of clothing for day or two, then let the dog have the clothes in her bed or crate, because dogs do rely so much on their sense of smell to figure things out.

Also, many DUers have recommended Feliway for cats, and there is a version for dogs called D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) to calm dogs who are stressed.

http://www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html

[phylny]

6. She is two n/t

[LibGranny]

2. My min-pin does the same to me and my husband and

we've had her about 9 months. She's almost a year old. I think she's startled but she also barks at EVERYTHING and she's often scared and requires a lot of comforting. I hope as she gets older, this will stop.

[shenmue]

3. Thank you for rescuing the critter. :)

I hope the barking thing settles down. I wonder if it's just that the dog is in a new home. My Keisha took a while to relax, years ago when we first adopted her. (Now she is in dog heaven.)

I hope you have many many happy years with your new friend.

[hamsterjill]

4. Thank you for adopting from a rescue.

I wish you and your new doggie many, many happy years together.

I can tell you that, as a rescuer, adoptors such as yourself are "gold" to the rescue community. We know that the pets who are adopted by people such as yourself will have the best care, and will be loved.

I know it was hard to lose Abby, but thank you again for opening your heart and your home to another one that needed a place to go.

[phylny]

5. Thanks!

We've actually been making some headway by correcting her barking, and putting her in the crate if she doesn't respond to "No barking!" and only letting her out when she's quiet with, "Good quiet!" We are also praising her when she doesn't bark at my husband and others. She's really been doing great - she's happy, affectionate, and playful (okay, she's pooping on the rug sometimes, but we will work on that, too!)