Barking Dog

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I would like to start this thread by saying I am asking for help, not judgement. While I applaud all of you who can stay home all day with your dogs, I have to work as does DH. I really don't need people telling me I'm a bad pet parent for leaving my dog or that using bark collars are bad. I need honest to goodness help and suggestions.

Okay, I have a mini doxie that is about 6 1/2 pounds. She will be 3 years old this month and is my baby. We just moved into our house about 5 weeks ago and installed a doggie door for my 2 fur babies to enjoy our new back yard (which they have) and I am proud to say, not one accident in the house which did happen occasionally when we were in our apartment.
Now, the doxie has apparent seperation anxiety or just really likes to bark. I work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week and DH works out of state is only home for short periods. So 3 days a week, the dogs are here alone with run of the house while I'm at work. According to the very nasty note taped to my front door 2 weeks ago, the doxie is barking non-stop all day long. I was so excited about them having a yard and not being locked up the days that I work and now this complaint has put a damper on my excitement. I researched the internet and found very few things that actually worked except the static electricity collars, so sadly, I bought one and put it on my baby. My problem lies in....she is shaped funny. Her neck is long and skinny and her trachea is very pronounced. For the collar to work, there is a sensor that feels the vibration of her bark as well as "hearing" the bark for the "buzz" against her skin to happen. Well, to get it snug enough for the sensor to stay in place, her trachea moves waaayyy over to the side and I'm afraid she'll not be able to breathe, and any looser, it moves to the side of her neck and does nothing at all. I returned the collar to PetsMart today. I've heard the Citrinella collars don't work and make a huge mess. I've also heard of very little success with the "sonic" noise boxes that emit a sound when the dog barks.
Is there anyone out there with suggestions or solutions to get her to stop barking? I need help, not judgement. I've looked at enrolling her in classes, but again, while I"m gone for 12 hours, I have no control over what she does unless I crate her or confine her to 1 room for the day. When I am at home with her, the barking is never a problem. She'll go outside and bark once or twice and come right back in. HELP!!!!!

 

[gobears!]

I'm not sure. It sounds like your best bet would be to keep her inside.

If it's only three days a week, I don't think it would be too bad to keep her inside for 12 hours. Can she hold it for that long?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Can you get a teenager or retired person to let the dogs out a time or two during your shift?

We have been the neighbor listening to a barking dog all day long. It's not fun.

 

[Hercules10]

What kind of fence do you have in the back-yard? Stockade, wrought iron, cyclone? It maybe that she can or cannot see and it's ticking her off.

If it's stockcade, cut a little hole in it and place chicken wire over the hole so she can see out.

If she can see TOO much...

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I'm not sure. It sounds like your best bet would be to keep her inside.

If it's only three days a week, I don't think it would be too bad to keep her inside for 12 hours. Can she hold it for that long?

Not without accidents. She's so small that she has a really hard time holding it that long. My big 61 pound hound has no problems with it, but my baby girls bladder is so tiny....and, she leaves little "presents" for mommy too Since the doggie door, I've not had one problem. (besides the barking). It is killing me to pay a hefty mortgage and then have someone else tell me how I can live in my house. I'm trying to find a solution to make everyone happy.
Thanks for answering, I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[WDWguru]

Keep her inside and find a dog walker or pet sitter to come by and spend some time with them the days you are working. Or there's always doggie daycare!

 

[clutter]

I'm afraid I agree that the dog needs to stay inside. I had to do that myself because I couldn't get my one dog to not bark. Some dogs can handle being outside and some can't. I found a middle schooler to let her out/walk her in the afternoons. When I'm home and she's outside, I'm constantly having to bring her back in. She just loves to bark at everything. It's not people telling you how to live your life. People have the right to quiet enjoyment of their own homes. I also didn't like the thought of what my dog could get into in a bigger yard when she was unsupervised.

 

[hiwaygal]

It sounds to me like there's more of a separation anxiety problem and I think once you can control that, the barking won't be so bad.

Try THIS LINK

Here's more INFO

Another Link

I hope that helps some!

 

[Cantw8]

No advice to give, just wanted to give you a hug...'cause I'm cool like that

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Can you get a teenager or retired person to let the dogs out a time or two during your shift?

We have been the neighbor listening to a barking dog all day long. It's not fun.

We just moved here but I guess I need to get out and make friends. Good suggestion.

What kind of fence do you have in the back-yard? Stockade, wrought iron, cyclone? It maybe that she can or cannot see and it's ticking her off.

If it's stockcade, cut a little hole in it and place chicken wire over the hole so she can see out.

If she can see TOO much...

Its a PVC fence (not our choice...its a HOA) so she can't see a thing. But I have a funny picture in my head or her head cocked to one side peeking out a hole.

 

[Cindyluwho]

It is killing me to pay a hefty mortgage and then have someone else tell me how I can live in my house.Thanks for answering, I appreciate the suggestion.

I truly do feel for you, what a sad situation. But remember, your neighbors are paying their mortgage too and have the right to enjoy their homes also. I'm thinking that it's just because the place is just so new to your little one that she barks so much and she may get over it after you keep her inside for awhile. BUT-no one is telling you how to live your life, they just want to live their own lives - in peace.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Just playing devil's advocate - my next-door neighbour (apartment) works nights and puts his dog in the cellar when he leaves. So I'm kept awake ALL NIGHT by the dog barking because he's shut in. Just saying that keeping the dog inside may not keep her from barking - but it's worth a try

 

[noodleknitter]

This is going to sound stupid, because I don't usually advocate tv shows, etc., but any clue how the Dog Whisperer guy deals with barking dogs? I really like how he works with dog behavior, and treating a dog like a dog. (And how this is a comfort to them.)

 

[Aidensmom]

Perhaps you could paper train her (put the paper in a corner in the kitchen or bathroom where it is tiled) so she can stay inside all day? I did this when I had Yorkies who couldn't hold it all day.

My current dog (a Jack Russell Terrier) would bark endlessly if he was outside all day, but he is able to go all day without using the bathroom. We do keep the TV on for him all day to help keep him company (when the cat chooses to ignore him) as he has a bit of separation anxiety too.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

It sounds to me like there's more of a separation anxiety problem and I think once you can control that, the barking won't be so bad.

Try THIS LINK

Here's more INFO

Another Link

I hope that helps some!

Those helped a lot. Thanks. They have classes at PetsMart and I think I'm gonna enroll us and see if we can start some behavior training. Thanks again.

 

[luvwinnie]

Our Winnie uses wee-wee pads while we are at work. Perhaps that would work? Or doggy daycare?

 

[hiwaygal]

This is going to sound stupid, because I don't usually advocate tv shows, etc., but any clue how the Dog Whisperer guy deals with barking dogs? I really like how he works with dog behavior, and treating a dog like a dog. (And how this is a comfort to them.)

IMO, Cesar is all about doggie "self confidence". My guess is he would say that WD2's little girl is frustrated/bored/scared and to "correct" those feelings would correct the barking problem.

The new surroundings (sounds, smells, etc.) are probably a big factor. Sometimes too much freedom (in too big a space) can be a problem too.

I think that training and lots of exercise (a tired dog is a good dog ) in addition to the dog getting used to it's new digs will help more than almost anything else.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Thanks everyone....these have all be some very helpful suggestions and I will give them a try. I truely appreciate the help. I'm not ignoring anyone, but have to hit the grocery store. I'll check back in a while. Thanks again.

 

[clarabelle]

I have a mini dachshund too!
There is a thing from Amazon Called a Super Bark Stop -it is not a collar- I have not used it -it just looked interesting.
Also does she have plenty to do? Have you tried hiding treats in the yard? Stuffing a kong full of food and freezing it?
Good luck!

 

[hiwaygal]

Those helped a lot. Thanks. They have classes at PetsMart and I think I'm gonna enroll us and see if we can start some behavior training. Thanks again.

I think the training is a fabulous start!! Just remember it's not a "one time deal". Keep her stimulated and interested (and on good behavior) by going through different parts of the training routine every day. You might also consider googling "Nothing in Life is Free" (another training method).

You might also want to talk with your neighbors. Let them know that you are working on a solution, but that it might take time. Ask them to let you know if things get better, or they stay the same. If they know you are trying, they might be more understanding.

Good luck!!!