Horrible experience @ pet store...

[Bronx'sBower]

Well it's been a great couple of days! Bower is beginning to know who is boss and thats great-but I have to remember to be the boss in ALL aspects of his life. Right now I am trying to master only a couple things at a time since we already fell off the wagon once. So the last couple days he has remastered "come" command but I am a little confused. He does really well in the back yard when I tell him come but I at some point would like to walk him without a leash (a long way away from that I know) but most importantly I would like him to be able to enjoy our front yard as much as he does the back, he just likes the neighbors too and I don't want him running over there. How do I train him not to leave the yard? With the same "come" command and treats?
As for his barking, he has calmed down a lot but most importantly he has learned he doesn't get any satisfaction in barking and that it doesn't do anything for him, except a trip to his crate every so often. Slowly he is catching on, and for that I am so excited.
I am also working on giving him "his job" before he can play or eat. When we play catch I make him sit before throwing the ball-sometimes he gets impatient but its going to take time. For daddy he will sit and wait and look at the ball, and only once it's thrown will he get up and get it. Now it's my turn to master this but he is such a smart dog that I know it will all work out.
Overall I know its going to take more time but if I knew it would be this easy (using that word loosely) I don't think I would have given up so easily. I think he is going to be a great dog and is going to do really well in obedience classes. The reason I am waiting ( I noticed someone said I should be able to get him in earlier) is because of the trainers-a few places I called acted like they had no time to talk to me or answer my questions and concerns. If they can't give me the attention and information I need prior to a class, what makes me think they can do it during the class? I found a good trainer, the only good trainer that I spoke with, and the only available classes don't start until September. I am not as desperate as I was a few days ago, we are beginning to see the light

[GreyhoundGirl]

Uhhh. I'm no real expert, but...

"When Bower barks I will let him out, check his food and water, play but sometimes none of these are what he wants."

He might just be doing it for attention. If you do those things when he barks, to him it will be bark + mommie = play time.

I too agree with NOT DEBARKING, what a cruel thing to do. Here they are ( in my town ) after everyone who crates their dog ( . )When some people are having painfull, unnessesairy surgery done just to avoid training ! That's just wrong ! I had no idea that was still being done !

I also agree with why people would sell products they don't approve of. Some people thing they know everything. ( like that person that started attacking me as to why my Boxer was so skinny ) I also agree with avoiding this store, and telling all friends to avoid it too. ( my moms friend is boycotting Orange Julius. ( because they charged me full price when the sign said 1/2 price )

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Both my boys have the citronella collars and there is a distinct improvement. My advice would be to use the "quiet" command at the same time so you can dispense of the collars eventually

[RedyreRotties]

Some breeds bark a LOT.

Shelties
Samoyeds
Collies
Poodles
Siberians

The list goes on and on. Many if not MOST of the people who keep, train and show these breeds debark them.

IMO it is MUCH kinder to allow the dog the joy of using his voice, even if it's much softer than it used to be, rather than yelling at the dog, spraying in the face with water, using citronella or shock collars, etc etc etc

I don't understand how subjecting a dog to a lifetime of enforced silence combined with unpleasant corrections is less harsh than a couple days of discomfort and then a softer voice so everyone can be happy.

I view debarking the same way I do removal of dew claws, spay/neuter, tail docking, ear cropping, etc etc etc. To me, it gives the dog the freedom to bark joyfully whenever he wishes, without annoyance to the humans around him.

DISCLAIMER: The above is nothing more than my own personal opinion. Many may disagree, and if done without personal attack, feel free to do so. This opinion will not cause you to lose weight, stop smoking, or obey the speed limit. Follow all instructions carefully. Do not use while bathing or sleeping. All rights reserved. Your results and mileage may vary.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

debark them.

Do people really do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My two do bark a lot but its down to me to let them know when they can or can't woof

[Aurie]

I know many people who have debarked their shelties. It is something that is very common on the show circuit. It sounds awful. But it is no more awful then the once feared pinch collars. Dogs stay happy because they can bark til their hearts content.

But the effects do vary, some will be reduced to a whisper, others it is a barely audible change. I have never needed to have this done with my dogs. I don't have enough dogs to make combined barking a problem nor have I had a dog that would bark all day everyday and never take a breath.

I do not think it is easy to find a vet who will preform the procedure unless you are in an area that has a call for this service. But I am not certain about this.

Surgery is never a first approach to solving something that can be done through training. However, some dogs were geneticallly created to bark. If someone just has to have that sheltie/collie etc and they live in an apartment and nothing else has worked, would you rather them debark the dog or take it to the shelter?

No not the first or even the second solution that any trainer would suggest. But it is a solution and a humane one. From what I have been told and how it was described to me, it is probably the least traumatic of any cosmetic type surgery on a dog.

[critter crazy]

I am sorry, but I totally disagree about the debarking of a dog!!! That is just as cruel as de-clawing a cat cause it scratches your furniture!! There are ways to train your dog, to not bark on command, and to de-bark a dog and say it dosent know it, is just rediculous!! that si like saying a dog has no feelings!!! Of course he will know, he has ears dont he???? sounds like a cheap and easy way out if you ask me! Totally rediculous! All of our dogs, are taught the speak command, then taught the quiet comand! once you teach them to speak, it is ver easy to teach them to be quiet! I would never De-bark my dog, that is just cruel and inhumane! Would you put a diaper on a dog, cause it pees in the house? or would you rather potty train the dog? Everything can be fixed with the proper training!!!

[GreyhoundGirl]

Do people really do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My two do bark a lot but its down to me to let them know when they can or can't woof

I thought de-barking was a medeval sorta thing. I didn't know it was still done. I thought the SPCA would have banned it. ( if I had the power, I would. )

JMO- as usual

[Bronx'sBower]

Firstly I wanted to say thanks for all your support but I also wanted to say that my intentions on this post were NOT to cause or start an argument. I feel everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I don't agree with bashing each other for those opinions. I have been given a lot of help through this post and for that I thank ALL of you, it has only been a few days but already I can see the difference. I understand some may think that by him barking to say he wants to play or wants to go potty may be giving him mixed signals but I also feel that there is a difference between his demand barking and his I gotta pee bark. I don't keep him on a potty schedule, if he has to go he has to go and I am glad he can tell me when he does. But there is a big difference, as I said before, between the barks. I know some will disagree with me but you also have to remember it's going to take time. The funny thing is, now he knows demand barking isn't getting him anywhere so he doesn't really bark about anything. When he does start demand barking I tell him "NO" sternly and if it doesn't work I put him in his crate. If I have to crate him 50 times a day I will because it's working. Patience is the key and being a nanny I have a lot....thankfully Thanks again for all your wonderful insight and useful tips...