Barking

[campermama]

Ok, I am sure this has been addressed but I ran a search didn't see anything!
My dog barks at people he can see in other backyards, or actually just outside our fence. It is a chain link fence all the way around. They are getting ready to build a house next door and I am afraid he will bark all day long!!
I am thinking about one of those shock collars. Can anybody tell me what you think? Do they work? Do you need it forever or just till he learns not to bark?
If not one of those collars, what else?
Thanks!!!

[dragondawg]

squirt citronnella.

Although it can be difficult to get a dog to quit barking at unusual activity near its territory, it's not impossible. Usually reassuring them initially that everything is ok, and then following up with NO bark if they persist can eliminate the barking at least when you are around.

Chances are if the dog sees you aren't too excited by it all, it will become use to the sounds.

[Karen]

How old is he? What kind of dog? Is he outdoors all day? Does he bark when he's indoors, or just out? Is it an "alarm bark," or a "play with me!" bark?

[binka_nugget]

I've got two Shelties so lord knows, barking can be heard day and night here!

With Kaedyn (the worst barker), I squirt him with water everytime he barks. He loves to bark at the neighbors so everytime they're out there with their kids, I sit outside with Kaedyn on leash and try to get him used to the sounds. Everytime he barks, he gets a squirt but to get his mind off of it, I usually do some obedience work at the same time.

I'd probably try the citronella collar before the shock collar. But even before trying the collars, which seem to cost an arm and a leg, you could try something like squirting the dog with water or shaking a can of pennies.

[campermama]

He is 2, a lab mix. He is outside all day while we are gone and in with us at night. I was going with the collar for when we are not around. I work with him when we are home, so like you said it isn't bad, he is learning. Now he needs to learn when we are not around.
I am very worried for when they start building next door, he will bark at the men all day! I don't want that to happen.
Thanks for the advice!!

[binka_nugget]

Is there an area inside the house that you could confine him to during the day? Consistency is the key to any sort of training. Being allowed to bark during the day but not when you're around might slow down the process. The same happened for us as well. My family doesn't listen to me when I say to not let the dogs out because I will! I know they don't do anything when he barks.

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

Wow, that sounds EXACTLY like my dog, Blaze!! It must be something with the herding group, since he is a border collie...but anyways, Blaze will bark at ANYTHING in sight, and we used to have construction workers alongside us, and that drove him nuts! Recently he's taken to the lawn-mower guy next door, and won't listen to anyone whatsoever. After we got turned in a few times, we found the remedy: the bark collars really do work. We got one for Blaze a while ago, and though they're expensive, they work, and will really help your dogs to behave. For Blaze, every time he tries to bark, it shocks him and that really shuts him up. So yes, I would REALLY recommend the bark/shock collar. It was funny--I read your post, and really wondered if it wasn't ME who was talking!!! Good luck!

~KT and Blazer~

[bckrazy]

Im a total newb.. but Ill give some advice anyway, since I have been thru this lots with my *lovably* neurotic border boy n_n

First off... I strongly, strongly disagree with shock collars. they should only be used under supervision for training.. Ive heard of so many dogs becoming agressive and fearful because of them. Id also worry about them harming a dog if he is really worked up and barks a lot.

your dog is probably barking because he is either bored or feels his territory is being invaded. if its boredom, be sure to supply him with lots and lots of stimulating toys before you go.. Buster Cubes, cookie-filled kongs, nylabones, noisemaking toys, and hidden treats are always good. If he is barking due to territorial reasons, and he barks a lot, you should consider keeping him inside during the day... as its pretty hard to correct when you arent home. he could also just be frustrated by the fence barrier between him and the neighbors. you could always make a fenced run for him, maybe on the side of your house, where he cant clearly see the neighbors in their yards.

my dog likes to bark just to hear his own voice sometimes. he also barks avidly at the squirrels, birds, raccoons, and dogs that often pass by our fence on the street. to spare our neighbors, we just keep him inside while no one is home.. his area is our kitchen and family room, because the floors are hardwood and there isnt much to get into. We babygate the entry to the kitchen and family room, give him lots of toys and he is really good. our kitchen cupboards are already kidproofed and impossible for him to open, since I have a baby brother. If we're only going to be gone for an hour or so, we crate him inside.

if none of this works and he must be kept in the backyard during the day, citronella collars are probably a more humane way of dealing with barking as opposed to shock collars. they still arent a solution to the problem, but it will probably deter him from barking when hes in the back alone. good luck with your boy hope any of this works for ya!

[Pandora]

Dog barking can be really irratating and difficult. My friend's collie barks and barks at people and many of them screem in fear. This was ruining our daily walks. She spent $95 on the citronella collar and it works like a charm! The dog still runs and acts like he wants to bark, but he does not.

This is so much nicer than the shock collar.

I hope the citronella spray works. She sprayed herself with it to see if it was horrible, it was not.

I wish you the best of luck.

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

reply to bckrazy

I will say one thing...the shock collar has really helped Blaze anyway, and he hasn't become more aggressive from it. I mean, I'd say he's become more submissive to me and knows when I get it out, it's time to shut up. I don't use it very often AT ALL anymore, since he's learned his lesson. Just thought I'd give my opinion! thanks for the advice though.

[bckrazy]

if it works for you... I dont mind at all. I know a lot of people who have barking BCs, mine does bark at our gardeners, so we ended up just introducing him to the guys and allowing him to get used to the sounds. He is also kept inside when the gardeners come, to avoid any bad situations.

I wouldn't use a bark collar ever on Gonzo, cos Im almost positive itd freak him out and make him really hand shy and scared. Borders are hyper sensitive, especially mine. and I always worry that the collar would malfunction or shock him for no reason, or what if a burglar came into our yard and he wanted to alarm bark or scare him off? I also think its natural and okay for dogs to bark at things that startle him, to alarm his owner... just not in excess. my dog has learned that thru training and correction from me and\my family, not thru a collar.

[Toller 42]

my dog barks at everything and everbody outside I've tried both the citronella and the shock collar but neither one works, we have also tried using the spray bottle but that doesn't work either. The obedience instructor told us to shake a can of pennies but that just scared her half to death but she didn't stop barking and it all started when she was around 6 months old, we were watching a movie and we have surround sound and all of a sudden something happened to the speakers and thaey started cracking and it sounded like gunshots but extra loud Tango panicked when that happened and ever since then she has barked at everything. I think my dog is a fear barker is there a way to stop that without anything that makes a really loud noise? other than the barking she is the perfect dog for me.