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Oh boy! We've got the same problem. It was difficult to discipline our dog on the barking because she never actually did it when we were home. We tried a shock collar (I know, I know...) on her only when we were gone during the day, but when FI was taking it off of her one day it shocked her and broke his heart, so we don't use it anymore. We've started putting her in her kennel when we leave (to help her calm down) and turning on the fan or a/c when we leave to help drown out some of the extra noise from outside. I *think* this has been working - at least, the neighbors haven't complained lately.
Good luck!
What a sweetheart!
We've also got some bark-y dogs. For his situation, I like the idea of using a kennel while you guys are gone. Even just putting him in a more isolated room with a noise maker on might help to tune out the stressors.
Another thing you might try when you're around is a spray bottle with water. Just a bit of a shocker to help show him he shouldn't respond that way and distract him from the noise.
We put him in the bedroom for now while we are gone since we dont know if we want to spend $200 for a kennel that will fit him (he's 74 pounds).
We will definitly try maybe leaving the tv or fan on to see if that helps him.
Has anyone tried the vibrating collar (as opposed to a shock collar) and had luck with that? I've seen AD's for them, but doubt their reliability.
Any other thoughts?
A quick craiglist search of your area (Spokane, WA) reveals Tons of gently used kennels for sale :)
http://spokane.craigslist.org/for/2473447590.html - this plastic one is $45
http://spokane.craigslist.org/for/2475802667.html - $40
Or if you wanted a metal one...
http://spokane.craigslist.org/for/2466237948.html - $75
I'm sure there are even more out there, these are just a few of the first ones that popped up. Kenneling him is probably going to be the most effective since he'll (eventually - he might fuss in the beginning) feel safe and comfortable in his den and stop barking. If you get a used one just give it a good wash down with some natures miracle so it's nice and clean and you'll be ready to go!
Spray bottle worked for my Boston Terrier, and he's crated during the day when we're not home. Good luck!
I taught my two yapper rat terriors not to bark with a trick I got from the dog wisperer. When ever they bark I make a haoao sound (like when you gasp, sorry it is hard to describe in writing), they know that it is a sound of displeasure and they stop right away. Another good one is honking at them. The lady from the show said any sharp sound from your mouth that is not "no" works. I have to say it has really worked for our little demons and made them into little angles.
I have no idea about barking either! My house got broken into when I was asleep a year ago, when I just had one of my dogs. Two guys were standing in the kitchen, my dog was barking her brains out at them, and I ran down the hallway in my underwear and screamed at them... they ran away, but my dog was very, very traumatised and freaked out whenver anybody comes near the house. Good watchdog, but she just barks constantly... :(
I wouldn't use a shock collar. Do a search for dog training fallout to see why. It's a little too aversive to use w/o the help of a trainer, IMO, and should only be used 1% of the time. The other aversives (vibrating/citronella/spray collar, spray bottle, etc.) typically don't work on a permanent basis if you aren't also rewarding the dog for the behavior you do want.
You know what makes him bark. I would start there. Treat him for not barking when you make those noises on a quieter scale and build up the noise level. You can also use a word like "shush" or "that's enough" if he's barking, and treat immediately if he stops barking and looks at you.
We're working with our dog right now on this, and unfortunately barking is one of the hardest things to curb if your dog is barky because it's self rewarding for the dog.
I'd also look at how much exercise he's getting. Barking can be a huge indicator of boredom. Our dog will literally bark at noises every ten minutes if we don't give her at least 2 long walks a day. When tired out, she barks once every hour or two and is much easier to redirect.
The crate and white noise/leaving a TV on is also a good idea to manage it. This is what we do and it really helps keep her quiet when we aren't at home (or even if we are).
Try Bark Off or another similar device that discourages barking. My FMIL just got one for her three dogs over the weekend I was amazed at how well it worked. Now just the sight of it discourages them from barking.
I guess when they bark it activates a sound that only the dogs can hear.
I am going to get one and try it for my Poms, we'll see if it works.
We tried bark off, it worked for MOST our dogs but not all. We usually have a wide variety of dogs in all sizes at our house. We have 4, but then we dog sit and foster dogs for a Rescue as well. The Bark off worked good for almost all but our Aussie, didnt even pahse her, she would stop as if she heard it, but then continue. Plus even with the others we found it needed to be fairly close to be effective.
We did just buy the vibrating collar, not a fan of shock collars myself, and so we tried the vibrating one, and so far it has worked on a smaller very barky dog we have. Its really simple. You can set it just to beed at them, or vibrate. Thats all it does is vibrate and it distracts them and catches attention guick to deter them. Our Aussie is by far the worst and my husband just picked up a laerger one, so I can let you know how it works.
The spray bottle we do use, and when we are home. Training and working with them as you see the behavior is your best bet, but when your away I would try some of the other tips already stated, or the vibrating collar perhaps.
My parents have 3 yapping (small) dogs. I ordered a Bark Stop (high pitch sound) machine from Amazon for her dogs, but it didn't work. They just got another high pitch sound machine from Target and it works wonders! I think they said it was $10. It's blue and has a remote control with it. While you're gone, I agree that a calm room would be helpful. I also recommend white noise. I actually Googled white noise and found a website that sells various types of white noise CDs for cheap. I have the Distant Thunderstorm, air conditioner and gentle rain. The thunderstorm is my favorite as the thunder sound blocks out bass sounds (neighbor's music, loud trucks). Perhaps you could play something like that on repeat in the room for the dog? Best wishes!
I just saw a "Dog Whisperer" episode on barking and there is a calm assertive technique you can do to prevent the barking. It's basically you remaining calm and correcting the dog when he is doing it and then correcting him right before he starts doing it.
You should check out that show, it has done wonder on our dogs and I have three big dogs!
Your pup is adorable by the way. :)
We also used a spray bottle and it worked on our beagle, who are notorious for barking loud and often. Now he only barks if he sees other dogs outside.
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Since we brought our new Boy home to apartment life, he has had trouble adjusting to the extra noises.
He is a 4 year old English Mastiff/Chow Chow mix, so gaurding is in his nature. Seeing as our Landlady took a bit of a bullet to even let us have him (he's 50 lbs over the weight limit), we were wondering if there was anyone who might know of something to ease his mind?
He barks at closing doors, mailboxs opening/closing, cars driving by, people talking outside...When we walk him he is great, and shows amazing restraint. Walks well, and obeys his basic comands. He really is a sweet dog.
We are moving into a rental house in September so neighbors won't be an issue then. I want to make it clear that we in no way will get rid of him over this. If we have to move early, we will.But since I am not used to larger dogs, I was wondering if anyone had advice?