bichon frise owners

I am in the progress of looking for another dog, as mine passed in May and is sadly missed. My daughter was wanting a bichon frise, but I don't really know about their temperament and barking habbits. Does yours bark a lot? Do they train easily? Thank you in advance for your answers.

[Jaybay]

I don't know about Bichon's in particular, but most small dogs display neurotic behavior - like excessive barking - because they are small, and bad behavior just slides by their owners because it's "cute."  Every dog, small or large, has the capacity to harm people or cause problems.  Small dogs need just as much exercise, training and discipline as large dogs.  So don't reward bad behavior, no matter how cute it appears to be.  What is bad behavior?  Any behavior the dog displays that makes you do something you don't want to do.  Get involved with a trainer early - the first 3 months of a dog's life they are like little sponges.  With the right tools on your part, there is no reason you can't have a beautifully behaved dog of any breed.

I recommend reading Cesar Millan's book, "Cesar's Way" as a fabulous guide to dog behavior and how to deal with it.  Cesar is The Dog Whisperer and has a show on the National Geographic Channel.  I can testify that his techniques worked wonders with our old neurotic shepherd mix.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?  :-)

[tmv]

Thank you JayBay. My husband told me the same thing, but I guess that I'm really not ready for a dog yet. I feel so bad for my kids, though and they are ready. We had the most beautifully manored sweet baby girl for 14 years. I'm afraid right now I'd compare the new dog to her and not connect. Probably should wait a little longer. Sorry for babbling. It's not as easy as I thought.
Thank you again for your response!

[gbboy]

We love our Bichon. He is the most loving dog I have know. Very people oriented. They do not shed and are great for people with allergies, which is why we got one. These dogs are very smart and easy to train. My husband and I never had pets and we had no problems with him. Ours is three. He does like to bark at dogs and joggers passing by but stops once they  are out of the way. We are breaking him of this habit. The only problem we have had is that we bought him for my daughter (8yrs) and she does take care of him and brush him but I seem to be his favorite. I only was working 3 days/wk when we got him so I guess I was home the most. Once he turned 2 he stopped following me around so much. They are really terrific dogs and I can't say enough good about them. They are very different then terriors which are more yappy and snippy.

Get one you'll love it.
B

[tmv]

Thank you so much for the input. I think that they are the sweetest looking puppies. I was so fortunate to have had a dog for 14 years that was so near perfect that it is almost scary. She was like a child to me. I don't want to replace her, but we (my husband, kids,and I) need something to love on, I guess. I really miss the getting/giving the unconditional love. Thank you again and best of luck with your little one!

[inmajortrouble]

Hey
I have a bichon and she is soooooooooooooooo lovley she has mad half hours, but they need to be groomed alot, or will get in knots, but another good dog just like the bichon is the maltese i have 1 of them too, he is lovley gets along perfect with everyone, maltese is just like a bichon but with stright hair, but bichon is great my bichon is crazy and loves to play and dosent bark much, she also talks to you not barks just like a lil moan and she tells you what she needs get 1 they are fab

[sadarah]

my parents owned 2 bishons and had a litter of pups and they are very good dogs but are protective.
they did bark but were easily distracted from it with a little encouragement. they are very clean and easy to train. they are very recommended for people with dander allergies due to the little hair they lose. They only issue with them as a breed is they need to be groomed very often and tend to get a little apricot color around the eyes. They love attention and like to be the only dogs. They are beauiful dogs and love to lay on your lap.

[inmajortrouble]

yes bishons do get like tear stains (apricot color/red) by there eyes but can easliy be removed with giving them "Angel Eyes" its a powder mix you put in there food onces a week and then once a month and the tear stains will be gone, as i use angle eyes for both my bishon and maltese

[tmv]

Thank you all very much. I am really thinking long and hard about the "perfect" dog. I want to be sure it's the right one for our family! Thanks again.