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My 5 1/2 month maltese puppy (female) is quite a barker. I'd like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to how to curb some of this barking. My husband is getting more and more tired of it, and I need any suggestions I can get. [email protected] -Peggy

• Most dogs bark because of lonliness and boredom. Malteses crave attention and want everyone to know they're there. The worst offender is the "night barker", he or she has usually slept all day and is coming alive when your ready to retire to bed. Sometimes a hard run before retiring will get your Maltese too exhausted to bark. As for other barkers, since dogs bark because they're lonely and crave companionship, spend as much time as possible with her when your home. Needless to say, the barking habit is best corrected in the puppy before it becomes embedded. --Jay

• My maltese was also quite a barker. In addition to obedience training (which is a marvelous way to communicate productively with your dog), I purchased a plant spray bottle. Each time my dog barked inapproriately, I asked him firmly to be quiet. If he did not obey, I would squirt him with plain water. This did not hurt him, but he did not like to be squirted. As soon as he stopped barking, he received lavish praise. I no longer have a problem with my maltese barking for attention, etc. If he is hungry, he comes to me and licks his lips. If he wants to go out, he sits quietly at the door. He has many new means of communicating his needs to me! He even has a silent bark, whereby he makes the motion of barking without any noise. (Alarm barking at strange noises, etc. is still encouraged).P.S. If he runs too fast to be squirted, try leaving a lead on him while you are training him. I hope this helps.