dog will not stop barking while we are out

[wozzzzza]

wee have 2 dogs, 20 month old keeshond and a 18 month old westy.

while we are home now, the dogs are as quiet as a mouse, rarely barking at anything unless someone comes into the yard.

as soon as we both leave the house and no one is home the dog(keeshond) barks continuously. i have video tapes the dog on many many occasions now, studied the tapes in details and on average the dog barks a whopping 4000 time per hour, YES 4000 times per hour. IM ALMOST READY TO SHOOT THE THING. im considering giving my neighbours a gun so they can do it for me.

the dog barks at nothing. it just runs around the back yard barking at thin air. not a single thing can be seen on the tape as to why the thing is barking. the second dog, the westy is just sitting down near his kennel sleeping while all this is happening being an angel cause there is nothing to bark at.

i cannot work out why the keeshond continuously barks while the westy is quiet when we go out.

 

[MomOf7]

In my opinion....If you cant crate them inside while you are gone which would be my first choice
A good bark collar does wonders. Not a popular solution but a very effective way for your dogs to learn not to bark while you are gone.
This is one I would get. Do not try to go cheap on the bark collars. You wont be happy with the results.
http://shop.tritronics.com/barklimiterxs.html

 

[wozzzzza]

everyone ive talked to says these electric shock collars and citronella collars are useless.
i dont really want to use them either, they will chew it off of each other.

 

[Rubylove]

IM ALMOST READY TO SHOOT THE THING. im considering giving my neighbours a gun so they can do it for me.

I hope you are joking

i cannot work out why the keeshond continuously barks while the westy is quiet when we go out.

Its quite breed-specific. Have you done much research on the breed? How much do they have to do during the day? How long are you gone for? How much exercise do they get? How old are they? Are they spayed/neutered? How much training to they get and what is their basic obedience like?

Sorry for all the questions but it helps get a picture...

Here is something you may be interested in...

Keeshond: An excellent children's companion, lively, intelligent, and very alert. A real character that is quick to learn if their owners are consistent. They should be trained gently and patiently without a lot of jerking. Keeshond are full of personality. When they get excited about something, it is a common trait for them to spin in happy circles. They can be trained to perform. Affectionate, friendly, and generally outgoing. The Keeshond loves everyone and needs to be part of the family activities. They are generally good with other pets, although some individuals are reserved or timid, and should be socialized extensively as puppies. For years the Keeshond was the dog-of-all-jobs on Dutch boats. Today it is used as a companion dog. They like to bark and are good watchdogs because of its notable gift for warning of danger. Beware of overfeeding, for the Keeshond will gain weight easily.

 

[wozzzzza]

they have a large yard full of things to play with like toy bones, dog toys, each other.
we are gone for anywhere between 10 minutes to a few hours each day, one of us are home just about all the other time. they get walked for between 30-60 minutes about 5-7 days a week.

wee have 2 dogs, 20 month old keeshond and a 18 month old westy.

they get a bit of training, they can sit, walk nicely on a lead and know not to go out the gate if its open and not to go inside unless invited and not to jump on people unless invited.
and yeah the keeshond likes to spin in happy circles when its happy, when it can hear the leads come out ready for walking or when its dinner time, spin spin spin, its a wonder the thing doesnt get dizzy and fall over.
and yeah its timid, scared of everyone that comes near it, wont allow strangers within 3 metres of itself. i think it was abused before we got it as well, if i raise my hand to throw a ball it cringes and runs away in fear.

 

[Lizmo]

While you are gone try a Kong. You can stuff it with anything that your dog LOVES and that will keep him busy while you are gone then he should be so tired from licking so much he should go ot sleep. Try walking him before you go so he is REALLY tired and will sleep! Good Luck!

 

[wozzzzza]

problem i have with that is that the westy is very very selfish. if you give them both anything like that, the westy will just drop his and go straight for the other one even though they are both identical and then they will start ripping each other apart and both will be barking and growling full on. these dogs need supervision where any food of any type is given to them else all hell breaks loose.

 

[Rubylove]

and yeah its timid, scared of everyone that comes near it, wont allow strangers within 3 metres of itself. i think it was abused before we got it as well, if i raise my hand to throw a ball it cringes and runs away in fear.

Ohhhh poor baby. It sounds like you are doing everything right and she still has problems. I would invest some money in a professional behaviourist. I know that it can be pricey, but an expense that is well worth it to help your dog with this problem. I notice you refer to the dog as `it'. Is that because you are just at the end of your tether? Or don't you realise you're doing it? Male or female, if (s)he is not desexed that may help. But the poor doggie is obviously having some issues and instead of solutions like toys etc, which you've tried and aren't working, please invest some time and money into finding out what the problem is - it will save you in the long run, it really will. Particularly if you have all those videos etc. A behaviourist would probably only need one or two sessions with you and your dog to explain what is needed. We can do our best, but there's only so much you can do on an internet forum.

One of my best friends has a Keeshond who surfs! Seriously. Take her down the beach and into the water, put her on a board and she surfs back into shore - in fact, you don't have to put her on the board, she'll go nuts if she CAN'T get on it!! Being original water dogs, though, its not a surprise!! Here she is with my friend's daughter last summer...

Sophie the Surfing Dog!

 

[wozzzzza]

well we have had people from here http://www.barkbusters.com.au come around and they have fixed most things except barking.
im just now looking for more things to put between where i am now and the last item on my list of thing to try to prevent me getting to the last thing on my list which is shooting it and i can tell you right now im nearly to the end.

 

[Rubylove]

well we have had people from here http://www.barkbusters.com.au come around and they have fixed most things except barking.
im just now looking for more things to put between where i am now and the last item on my list of thing to try to prevent me getting to the last thing on my list which is shooting it and i can tell you right now im nearly to the end.

Ok, again, I realise that you are extremely frustrated, however I do hope you are joking. If you are going to harm your dog, rehome it. You still refer to the dog as `it'. Do you actually have any feelings for this dog other than frustration?

 

[wozzzzza]

You still refer to the dog as `it'. Do you actually have any feelings for this dog other than frustration?

not much anymore, its causing me more headf**k than anything since i have had it and its only getting worse.
i dont think anyone else would want this bloody dog either. we are its third owners and we have had it 12 months. so the last 2 owners have put up with it for 4 months each. seeing a picture here?? this dog is useless, unwanted and annoying.

 

[travis_doggies]

Our neighbours has this problem, and they used this one.

http://www.efence1.com/Dogtrabarkcollars.htm

2 weeks later, the dog has kicked the habbit.

You really have 3 choices,

1. use of bark collar.
2. Find another home for the dog.
3. Train it yourself. Go out, leave the dog at home for 5 minutes, go back inside, give it some lovin, then go out for 10 minutes etc..

That way you dog will know you're returning home each time, and slowly increase the time away.


Good luck.

 

[travis_doggies]

http://www.animalbehaviorassociates.com/pdf/RMN_why_dogs_bark.pdf#search='why%20dogs%20bark'

 

[Rubylove]

not much anymore, its causing me more headf**k than anything since i have had it and its only getting worse.
i dont think anyone else would want this bloody dog either. we are its third owners and we have had it 12 months. so the last 2 owners have put up with it for 4 months each. seeing a picture here?? this dog is useless, unwanted and annoying.

Right, well. It sounds as though you don't have the correct temperament to look after a dog that does not meet your standards. Perhaps the dog is difficult because nobody has taken the time to train it properly; in my experience the dog is rarely (if ever) the problem, it is the people who own the dog that are the problem. That is why my username has `training the trainer' written underneath it. I train people to train dogs, not train dogs to behave the way people expect them to with no help at all.

Yes, there are some dogs in the world who are difficult, who have had difficult lives, with very little attention, and who have behavioural problems that people can't be bothered looking into to help the poor creatures. These are the dogs that are labled `useless, unwanted and annoying'.

What I suggest is that you avoid going on to sites that are devoted to animal welfare, and the welfare of dogs, and making yourself out to be the person that you have come across as so far. It sounds to me as though you are the one that needs to change what you are doing, not your dog, because its what you are doing (or not doing) that is reinforcing this behaviour in your dog.

I cannot imagine how you must treat the poor thing but reading between the lines is enough. For the dog's sake and certainly for no other reason, please find it a home where it will be loved and tolerated, with people who will try to help it. Because its getting nothing where it is now, and that's what we are concerned with on this site - helping dogs and helping people who want to help their dogs, not those who don't even try to understand them and instead are abusive, aggressive and not at all concerned with the welfare of their pet.

 

[Brattina88]

Why can't you seperate the dogs and give a kong while your gone? A simple crate or babygate can seperate easily...

How about a nice long walk before you leave so she can relax when you get home? It sounds like she's had a hard live thus far, I hope you can find it in your hard to help her instead of causing further damage.
The electric shock collars and citronella collars are not useless; because if they were I wouldn't care if people used them

And just for furture reference if you come to a dog lovers forum and talk about shooting your dog (smilies or j/k's would be nice if your joking) your going to come off as a troll . . . . .

 

[wozzzzza]

ok i will try some thing you all have listed above. but hey, one dog is perfect, one dog is a nuisence. cant all be me.

 

[Rubylove]

No of course not. But the dog that is a nuisance is so because of its unhappy life, obviously since the moment it first went to a home - not because its just a bad dog. Often the dogs that have problems are the ones we love all the more when they're `all better' because they have been so much work.

But your dog is unhappy for one reason or another, and as you are its carer, it is your responsibility to find out what is making it unhappy and fix it!

 

[Doberluv]

A dog is a dog is a dog. Your dog is being a dog. Dogs bark when they're bored, stressed, lonely. Barking is a passtime, a self rewarding behavior. Dogs like to bark. So, you're blaming the dog, saying that he's a bad dog, a bloody dog. A dog is an animal not a human. Why do you presume that he should be like a human? Humans don't bark, don't like the sound and so the dog shouldn't bark. (?) You're projecting your values onto the dog as if the dog is doing something wrong. He's not. He's doing what he knows best....how to be a dog. He's doing what he has been reinforced for. Barking in and of itself is rewarding to him. You, the owner, the human, have given him NO reason NOT to bark.

For dogs to behave the way we want them to, they MUST BE TRAINED and trained properly. If your dog's behavior is not what you like, it's YOUR responsibility and not the poor dog's.

As long as he is self rewarding by given freedom to bark, it will continue. That is science. Rewarded behavior repeats itself. Non-rewarded behavior extinguishes. Harsh punishment, bullying, intimidation and force do nothing but ruin a dog. And then one wonders why the dog is not well mannered or well trained. (????)

You will have to keep the dog in the house in a crate or safe room. Put him by himself away from the other dog and give him a Kong with something frozen in it to play with and lick. Exercise him hard before you leave. Play fetch or something else where he gets some serious cardiovascular exercise.

You will have to supervise him whenever you ARE around and distract him from barking, teach him a command which is associated with the stopping of the barking, such as "enough." AND REWARD him lavishly with a very good treat when he stops.

He will need more than a walk. He needs to run and have something to exercise his body and mind. Do more obedience work with him. Set up some make shift equipment in your yard so he can do some agility or something; a few jumps to teach him, make some weave poles. Get involved with him or re-home him. This dog is board out of his gord.

And don't think he doesn't know or sense how you don't like him. Dogs are experts at reading their owners. Without any bond with this dog, without any care about his life, he is pulling further away from you and has NO reason to work WITH you. If you can't make it worth his while to work with you and learn behaviors you want, then re-home the dog to someone who can and will be his best friend.

Dogs are a precious gift to us, a rare bond we have, the likes of which we share with no other animal. They give soooo much and ask for so little in return. We expect so much from them and then don't teach them and then blame themB] for being what they are. How dare the human race ask, ask, ask for more and more and but don't want to give what the dog needs? If you don't have what it takes to love and train this dog, re-home him. There are plenty of people who do love dogs enough and do have the know how to work through dog behaviors which they, the humans don't like. Dog behaviors are so often described as behavior problems, as though the dog is defective. The dog is being a dog and the behaviors are normal for a dog. It is we who have the behavior problem. We're suppose to be the more intelligent specie.

This may be blunt, but when I read about someone willing to shoot their dog, saying hateful things about a dog, I get that protection instinct up and going....like a mother bear.

 

[MomOf7]

not much anymore, its causing me more headf**k than anything since i have had it and its only getting worse.
i dont think anyone else would want this bloody dog either. we are its third owners and we have had it 12 months. so the last 2 owners have put up with it for 4 months each. seeing a picture here?? this dog is useless, unwanted and annoying.

My opinion...The dog is smart and possibly a little stubborn although he is stil awful young. The dog much like a child is pushing buttons.
If you are really that fed up...please find a suitable home or get one of these.
Its no worse than re-homing and re-homing and eventual shelter
http://shop.tritronics.com/barklimiterxs.html
Yeah its not a popular way to go on this site but for you probably the best thing you could invest in. Doberluv has some good advise and I doubt you will do any of what she suggests. Honestly I would try to find a better home for the dog.
Seems you have your mind made up.
A good home is one that is familiar with your dogs breed/s and has experience with that breed/s. One that has a fenced yard, a vet, time to spend with the dog.
Good luck

 

[Rubylove]

A dog is a dog is a dog. Your dog is being a dog. Dogs bark when they're bored, stressed, lonely. Barking is a passtime, a self rewarding behavior. Dogs like to bark. So, you're blaming the dog, saying that he's a bad dog, a bloody dog. A dog is an animal not a human. Why do you presume that he should be like a human? Humans don't bark, don't like the sound and so the dog shouldn't bark. (?) You're projecting your values onto the dog as if the dog is doing something wrong. He's not. He's doing what he knows best....how to be a dog. He's doing what he has been reinforced for. Barking in and of itself is rewarding to him. You, the owner, the human, have given him NO reason NOT to bark.

For dogs to behave the way we want them to, they MUST BE TRAINED and trained properly. If your dog's behavior is not what you like, it's YOUR responsibility and not the poor dog's.

As long as he is self rewarding by given freedom to bark, it will continue. That is science. Rewarded behavior repeats itself. Non-rewarded behavior extinguishes. Harsh punishment, bullying, intimidation and force do nothing but ruin a dog. And then one wonders why the dog is not well mannered or well trained. (????)

You will have to keep the dog in the house in a crate or safe room. Put him by himself away from the other dog and give him a Kong with something frozen in it to play with and lick. Exercise him hard before you leave. Play fetch or something else where he gets some serious cardiovascular exercise.

You will have to supervise him whenever you ARE around and distract him from barking, teach him a command which is associated with the stopping of the barking, such as "enough." AND REWARD him lavishly with a very good treat when he stops.

He will need more than a walk. He needs to run and have something to exercise his body and mind. Do more obedience work with him. Set up some make shift equipment in your yard so he can do some agility or something; a few jumps to teach him, make some weave poles. Get involved with him or re-home him. This dog is board out of his gord.

And don't think he doesn't know or sense how you don't like him. Dogs are experts at reading their owners. Without any bond with this dog, without any care about his life, he is pulling further away from you and has NO reason to work WITH you. If you can't make it worth his while to work with you and learn behaviors you want, then re-home the dog to someone who can and will be his best friend.

Dogs are a precious gift to us, a rare bond we have, the likes of which we share with no other animal. They give soooo much and ask for so little in return. We expect so much from them and then don't teach them and then blame them for being what they are. How dare the human race ask, ask, ask for more and more and but don't want to give what the dog needs? If you don't have what it takes to love and train this dog, re-home him. There are plenty of people who do love dogs enough and do have the know how to work through dog behaviors which they, the humans don't like. Dog behaviors are so often described as behavior problems, as though the dog is defective. The dog is being a dog and the behaviors are normal for a dog. It is we who have the behavior problem. We're suppose to be the more intelligent specie.

This may be blunt, but when I read about someone willing to shoot their dog, saying hateful things about a dog, I get that protection instinct up and going....like a mother bear.

And a big fat YEAH to all of that.