persistent barking - Page 2

Tri-tronics bark collar. Problem solved.

Thanks for the responses so far.Its just so strange how instant he starts barking its literally the minute i unclick the color.There is a dog living farley close by but it is a house dog who is only in the garden for short periods of time but my dog barks even if  that dog isnt out.It would not be possible for him to live in doors and anyway i think this would make things worse if he had to spend anytime outside away from us.It has become a constant battle with him as i try to give him time with the collar of but it just doesn't work.Thanks again

Thanks for the responses so far.Its just so strange how instant he starts barking its literally the minute i unclick the color.There is a dog living farley close by but it is a house dog who is only in the garden for short periods of time but my dog barks even if  that dog isnt out.It would not be possible for him to live in doors and anyway i think this would make things worse if he had to spend anytime outside away from us.It has become a constant battle with him as i try to give him time with the collar of but it just doesn't work.Thanks again

Thanks for the responses so far.Its just so strange how instant he starts barking its literally the minute i unclick the color.There is a dog living farley close by but it is a house dog who is only in the garden for short periods of time but my dog barks even if  that dog isnt out.It would not be possible for him to live in doors and anyway i think this would make things worse if he had to spend anytime outside away from us.It has become a constant battle with him as i try to give him time with the collar of but it just doesn't work.Thanks again

The post on the tri-tronics bark collar was from me and I did not read the whole thread, sorry.

First question. What brand of collar are you using? A bark collar is not a "fix all" cure. It is used to manage excessive barking. Not eliminate it. If your dog is showing that kind of avoidance to the collar, I would say you have it up too high. Additionally, by leaving it on without it being turned on, you are being inconsistant with the collar and he is confused.

Dog training has to be black and white. The dog needs to learn that when the collar is on, he doesn't bark. To the dog, if the collar is on him but only active sometimes, he gets confused, which could very well be why he just goes in his "shed" and shuts down. Believe me when the dog needs to go to the bathroom, he will come out of his shed. Don't baby him.

My suggestion is to first buy a quality collar. Either Tri-tronics or Dogtra. Don't buy some cheap collar. The Tri-tronics has a bark meter that shows how many times the dog barked so when your neighbors tell animal control your dog barked non-stop all night, you have something to show them they are exaggerating (they always are). So buy a quality collar, set it at the lowest level that eliminates the barking, and have it active every time the collar is on the dog. I would wait a month or so and start again since something wsa not done right the first time.

Talk with your neighbors to see if you can come to an agreement. If the dog barks all night, put the collar on between 9:00 AM till you leave in the morning. Or what ever works for the both of you. Another thing is to crate your dog. If your dog sleeps in a crate (in the house or garage or even in the shed) he probably will not bark much. Then you let him out during the day with the collar on.

Barking like this is not something you can "fix". Only manage. Bark collars and a crate are tools you can use to manage the barking. You have to be consistant and clear in using these tools. I can almost guarantee if you let your dog sleep in a crate in the garage at night, then out during the day with the collar on you and your neighbors will notice a difference.

Good luck

i don't mean to hijack this thread, so just a simple yes or no will do.  

if another dog barks near a dog wearing a bark collar, will the dog wearing the collar get a shock?  i would

think that they would.  i have no experience with electronic collars of any kind and have always wondered

about this.

thanks...........pjp

No. The good ones have a vibration sensor in the collar. This sensor activates the collar when it senses the vibration from the dogs throat, not from any outside stimulus

" Realistically, find the dog a good home elsewhere.  Then get yourself another dog."

Do Right, I have a real problem with the above statement.  First of all dogs are not toasters to be thrown out when you don't like the color any more. Part of the reason we have the shelter populations in this country ( and the ensuing growing presence and power of animal rights)  is that people view dogs as a disposable commodity or a piece of trash. This is not acceptable.  Secondly and this piece just gets my hackles up because of the idiocy of it ... find him a good home... Ok you have a problem dog that YOU don't want because well, he's a PROBLEM. Now tell me who else is going to want him especially if they can get a dog that's not a problem????  This attitude is so common among pet owners. Excuse me if YOU the owner don't want him because of a behavior problem why in the world would you PRESUME anyone else would? Sooo the only way you can possibly find him a "good" home is to lie thru your teeth and DUMP YOUR problem on someone else. Guess where this dog will end up in short order. If a dog has a behavior problem the owner has an obligation to address it not pass it on to someone else. If it's a problem that's not fixable ( I'm NOT talking about Alan's dog here) then the tough decision AND responsiblity lies with the owner.  IF the dog can not live in civilized society ( and that's only a very very small percentage folks) then step up to the plate and have the dog humanely destroyed with you at his side so he is not afraid. Tough to do, you betcha but far kinder than passing him on to break the hearts and lives of other people and to then come to a tragic ending.

Alan, at least seems to be trying to be a responsible owner and address the issue his dog has. I agree with other posters it certainly sounds like the dog is exhibiting a behavior far beyond miscellaneous or nuisance barking. My suggestions  follow the advice above and see if you can determine what is eliciting the response. Before you can come up with an adequate solution you need to define the problem. You may have to hire the advice of someone more skilled at understanding and reading dogs. Do you have any way of knowing if he exhibits this behavior elsewhere (at a relative's or friend's house for example or in  a kennel tho that can be a very different situation and response) ? When did this behavior start and to what degree? Did it increase over time or has it always been the same level? I know this will sound odd but have you had the dog physically checked by a vet - behavior problems often are linked to physical problems - pain is a good example it can cause a number of behaviors in dogs. Are there any abnomalities in his EEG? When he is in this hackled aggressive state - does he easily recognize you and will he stop if called to you? These are just some of the things that might have to be looked at.  Don't forget the simple tips like first trying to put bark/speak/laut on a command and then hush or quiet on a command. Doesn't work with all but will with some. It also never hurts to look at the relationship and what the dog is getting and is he getting what he truly needs.

Re the debarking. It is an extreme solution that I believe should be a very last resort. First try to determine the reason for the conduct or you may debark a dog for no good reason.  Also know that debarked dogs still make noise - some consider worse than a bark - it's like a hoarse cough. In addition how well a debarking persists depends on the skill of the veterinarian. It is not unknown for the tissue to grow back  or scar over in such a way that the dog regains his voice.

Alan, good luck at find the source of you dog's behavior and a solution for the behavior. Thank you for being responsible. Please keep us posted as to what you determine.