Tinsel spins. He used to vocalize in time to the spin, I can't really call it true barking because he is impaired, but I had to stop it before it became the norm. For him, food is something he may never feel comfortable about. He was starved before so he is almost terrified that he isn't going to be fed. I used the microwave timer to announce the food is ready. I interrupt him if he starts to vocalize by walking away from the counters. He stops to look at me and I tell him he is good and walk back to finish prepping. If he starts to vocalize again I say uh uh and walk away again. He can spin to his heart's content but no vocalizing is allowed. He gets fed in the hall so I take him to his spot first and ask for a sit. Actually, I no longer ask him - he sits and waits for it to be put down. Sometimes I count to 10, other times I count to 30 but I vary it every night so he doesn't anticipate.
It didn't take long before he realized that he may as well not use up his energy doing either behaviour until the timer went off and that barking or whining slowed the process down.
It didn't take long before he realized that he may as well not use up his energy doing either behaviour until the timer went off and that barking or whining slowed the process down.
Gotta say, I just love it!
