Long Distance Dog Training

[Ax Slinger]

This is probably a stupid question, but I need to know... Can you train someone else's dog from a distance? I work on my computer at home, and usually am up until about 8:00 AM every day. My neighbor has a dog that he locks in a shed when he goes to work every day. As soon as he puts the dog in the shed and leaves, the dog starts barking, and he continues all day long until the guy comes home and lets him out. Personally I think that is mean and a lousy way to take care of a dog. I have always thought that if you can't take care of an animal you shouldn't have one. I have talked to the guy about this but he basically told me to kiss off, it's his dog and he'll do whatever he likes.

The problem is I can't sleep. Is there some way I can train this poor dog to not bark all day long? Would a dog whistle do any good? This shed is in the backyard of the house next to my immediate next door neighbor down the street, about maybe 100 yards from my house. Is there anything I can do, short of calling Animal Control, which I would prefer not to do, as I am sure they would just take the dog to the pound and probably kill him. I don't fault the dog for this and I certainly don't want to see that happen... But I need sleep! Does anyone have any ideas?

[nedim]

Well, I don't know about long distance training, but I can tell you're a decent person to have tolerated the barking. I dont know, if I was in your situation, I'd consider giving your local humane society a buzz. Maybe just to scare the guy into keeping the dog indoors. Where a dog belongs. I amagine that's something like animal abuse, to keep the dog in a shed. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[Ax Slinger]

I have called them before. They said to call Animal Control. And I know what will happen if I do that. I live in a very underfunded area in Northern California, and Animal Control is operated by the County Sheriff's Department, and they have no extra money. In fact they don't have enough money to keep enough Sheriff's on the street.

So if I were to call them, they would say the guy isn't taking proper care of the dog, which I would agree with, and take the dog to the county pound. But because of how underfunded they are, I know it would be just five days until they killed the dog. There has been several reports about that on the local news. They would put the animals up for adoption, but if nobody takes them in five days, they kill them.

So while the constant barking is literally driving me nuts, if I call it would be a certain death sentence for the dog. I can't see that. That's just wrong...

[Manchesters]

I have called them before. They said to call Animal Control. And I know what will happen if I do that. I live in a very underfunded area in Northern California, and Animal Control is operated by the County Sheriff's Department, and they have no extra money. In fact they don't have enough money to keep enough Sheriff's on the street.

So if I were to call them, they would say the guy isn't taking proper care of the dog, which I would agree with, and take the dog to the county pound. But because of how underfunded they are, I know it would be just five days until they killed the dog. There has been several reports about that on the local news. They would put the animals up for adoption, but if nobody takes them in five days, they kill them.

So while the constant barking is literally driving me nuts, if I call it would be a certain death sentence for the dog. I can't see that. That's just wrong...

An easy solution would be a pair of good quality headphones, and a stereo radio set to a station that plays soothing music. Nowadays they have the small light weight head sets that are easy to use when sleeping. Worked for me when I was working midnights in the middle of White Plains NY, on the Post Road, with all the big trucks and such rumbling by our third floor apt!

[colliekid]

So if I were to call them, they would say the guy isn't taking proper care of the dog, which I would agree with, and take the dog to the county pound. But because of how underfunded they are, I know it would be just five days until they killed the dog. There has been several reports about that on the local news. They would put the animals up for adoption, but if nobody takes them in five days, they kill them.

So while the constant barking is literally driving me nuts, if I call it would be a certain death sentence for the dog. I can't see that. That's just wrong...

Would you be willing to take the dog your self?
Or, take Manchesters advice.

[Doberluv]

I don't see how you can train a dog if you can't get to it to reward it. Anyhow, that poor dog is frustrated and lonely. It's not even a matter of training. It's basic emotional needs are not being met. Does the owner do anything with the dog when he comes home? Is he nice to the dog? I would do like Manchesters said or call the animal welfare people. This dog sounds so miserable, what would be so awful if he was euthanized? What kind of life is that anyhow? Does he even have any toys or something? You could take the owner a present for the dog; a Kong stuffed with peanut butter, but that would only keep the dog occupied for a short time. I don't know. You do have a problem and you shouldn't have to put up with that. What do the other neighbors say?

[candy722]

I don't think you'll be able to train a dog that's been barking for a period of time. I bet the dog will still bark even if inside the home.

[Ax Slinger]

An easy solution would be a pair of good quality headphones, and a stereo radio set to a station that plays soothing music.
I tend to drown it out with smooth jazz...

This dog sounds so miserable, what would be so awful if he was euthanized?
I wouldn't want to be killed because I was lonely and miserable. Would you?

[Raika's Mom]

Keeping the dog in the shed is horrible! That poor thing. It can get VERY hot in a shed during the day unless you live in an area where it's always cool outside.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. That neighbor sounds like a jerk!

[Ax Slinger]

He is a jerk. But what can I do? Fortunately for the dog, it never gets really hot here. We're right on the coast and the high today was 60°F. It's usually foggy this time of year as well. But still, when the sun does come out here lately, it can get hot in cars, sheds, etc., and that is one reason why I think it is irresponsible to lock a dog in a shed like that. And I don't blame the dog for voicing his displeasure.

But as I said before, if I call Animal Control, they are so underfunded that the longest they keep animals at the pound is 5 days. That means if they take the dog to the pound, and nobody adopts him in those 5 days, they will kill him. I just can't see that. I have considered going over there and letting him out in hopes that he would take off and disappear. But then I would be the one breaking the law, and I have a family to think about.

[Manchesters]

He is a jerk. But what can I do? Fortunately for the dog, it never gets really hot here. We're right on the coast and the high today was 60°F. It's usually foggy this time of year as well. But still, when the sun does come out here lately, it can get hot in cars, sheds, etc., and that is one reason why I think it is irresponsible to lock a dog in a shed like that. And I don't blame the dog for voicing his displeasure.

But as I said before, if I call Animal Control, they are so underfunded that the longest they keep animals at the pound is 5 days. That means if they take the dog to the pound, and nobody adopts him in those 5 days, they will kill him. I just can't see that. I have considered going over there and letting him out in hopes that he would take off and disappear. But then I would be the one breaking the law, and I have a family to think about.

You have a local news station near you? Several here will help viewers with different types of problems. Just a thought.

[Ax Slinger]

Hmmmm... That's a thought. The local TV stations are always looking for anything to put in the news. Not much happens around here. In fact, one of them doesn't even bother with local news anymore because the other station always beats them to the "good stuff", not that there's all that much to get, and they seem to think a town 250 miles away is "local"... :rolleyes: