Apartment barker= I will loose him
- Thread starter canadaone
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I would try a Citronella collar first. Sometimes trainers will rent them out so you can try before you buy. It works for 80% of dogs, BUT unfortunately many small dogs don't have a big enough bark to set it off. Then you can try a shock collar if you want (just make sure it's adjustable so your little dog isn't getting hit with a big zap). And like others have said, in this case debarking may be your best bet. It's definitely cheaper than doggy daycare (trust me, I manage one, and if I didn't work there my dogs would not be going due to price) and would keep the dog in the home and with the loving owner.
Thank you all for your suggestions, I really appreciate it. Will have a talk to the vet, though I doubt it, but it never hurts to ask. Stuffed a Kong with peanut butter and froze it, giving it to dog when I leave. Got an anti bark collar that gives him a shock. Hate the idea. Leaving TV on when leaving.
S
I know this is a very controversial subject, but nothing is going to change my opinion. I do not think it is inhumane. Some dogs dont need a reason to bark such as a noise they hear that triggers them, they bark just to bark. Some dogs bark just because they are bored. My dog, as well as my moms pug dont bark at anything sometimes. Its just a rewarding behavior that they find very enjoyable and that can drive people nuts.
I think its better for a dog to be able to bark whenever it wants after being debarked than it is to use a shock collar or preventing the dog from barking altogether using muzzles and such. A dog CAN bark after being debarked, they're just not as LAUD as they would be if they were not debarked. Dogs who are debarked live happy and fulfilling lives, in my opinion. Many will disagree. Dogs do not have an emotional attachment to their voice like humans do... just like they dont have an emotional attachment to food like humans do.
End of my rambling.
I think its better for a dog to be able to bark whenever it wants after being debarked than it is to use a shock collar or preventing the dog from barking altogether using muzzles and such. A dog CAN bark after being debarked, they're just not as LAUD as they would be if they were not debarked. Dogs who are debarked live happy and fulfilling lives, in my opinion. Many will disagree. Dogs do not have an emotional attachment to their voice like humans do... just like they dont have an emotional attachment to food like humans do.
End of my rambling.
Personally I hate the idea of debarking and would never suggest it to someone who I hadn't met and worked with in person. It is, IMO, a pretty drastic approach to something that can be solved 75% of the time through management and a few behavioral changes.
That said, I'd debark a dog BEFORE I'd use a shock collar on him. The problem with punishment is that the dog doesn't always know what he's getting punished for. Barking is such an emotional behavior that often dogs don't even realize they're doing it. So if he sees the bus and then notices that he's getting a shock, he could associate the shock with the bus, or with people. Then he could grow a phobia of people and busses, which could generalize to people and busses while you're out on your walk. If he's barking because he's scared or nervous, the shock collar will not teach him not to be scared, in fact it will only make his fears worse; with many dogs, they will learn not to bark but will start another annoying behavior, such as excessive chewing or self-mutilation.
So, I'd suggest taking the collar back to the store and getting a refund. Use the refund to get a white noise machine, and make sure the crate is placed somewhere central in the apartment if possible. Make sure your dog cannot see out a window while you're gone. Leave him with the white noise machine and the kong, at a time of day while most of the neighbors are at work if possible, leave the house for a few hours and see if he barks. Maybe set up a tape recorder so that you will know. If he does bark even then, get a trainer/behaviorist who can consult with you in person about the situation. If you have exhausted all other options, then look into getting the dog debarked.
That said, I'd debark a dog BEFORE I'd use a shock collar on him. The problem with punishment is that the dog doesn't always know what he's getting punished for. Barking is such an emotional behavior that often dogs don't even realize they're doing it. So if he sees the bus and then notices that he's getting a shock, he could associate the shock with the bus, or with people. Then he could grow a phobia of people and busses, which could generalize to people and busses while you're out on your walk. If he's barking because he's scared or nervous, the shock collar will not teach him not to be scared, in fact it will only make his fears worse; with many dogs, they will learn not to bark but will start another annoying behavior, such as excessive chewing or self-mutilation.
So, I'd suggest taking the collar back to the store and getting a refund. Use the refund to get a white noise machine, and make sure the crate is placed somewhere central in the apartment if possible. Make sure your dog cannot see out a window while you're gone. Leave him with the white noise machine and the kong, at a time of day while most of the neighbors are at work if possible, leave the house for a few hours and see if he barks. Maybe set up a tape recorder so that you will know. If he does bark even then, get a trainer/behaviorist who can consult with you in person about the situation. If you have exhausted all other options, then look into getting the dog debarked.
In most situations I'd suggest actually training the dog, but you seem to be out of time. I would debark before I'd use a shock collar. Do first try leaving a radio on/white noise machine and giving him stuff to do (hide treats, multiple kongs, buster cubes, toys etc.) to see if that could stop him without hurting him.