Hi I live in an apartment and have heard from neighbors that my dog barks every time I go out. I need to find a way to stop this QUICKLY or I will be forced to find a new home for him, as I already have had one person complain about this to the landlord. Please help with suggestions! Thanks ahead of time (small Shih-Tzu)
Apartment barker= I will loose him
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Is he a big barker in general or is this more of a seperation anxiety problem?
My dog had a hard time adjusting when he came to the city... he had been born on a farm... I started locking him in my room when I was not home so he couldnt hear every little noise in the hallway, it stopped his barking 100%... he makes no noise when I am gone now.
I would start with crating him while you are gone and giving him activity toys to play with and see how he does with that.
You can also try leaving the TV or radio on so he has something to listen to.
My dog had a hard time adjusting when he came to the city... he had been born on a farm... I started locking him in my room when I was not home so he couldnt hear every little noise in the hallway, it stopped his barking 100%... he makes no noise when I am gone now.
I would start with crating him while you are gone and giving him activity toys to play with and see how he does with that.
You can also try leaving the TV or radio on so he has something to listen to.
I agree with PM, to fix the barking you have to figure out WHY he's barking. If it's a noise thing, the crate as she suggested is a great idea. If it's a separation anxiety problem (he's uncomfortable being home alone), you may consider hiring a dog walker to spend an hour or so a day with him while you're gone, or you could take him to doggy day care a couple of days a week. The exercise and interraction will be great stimulation for him, plus you're teaching him that you being gone isn't all that bad.
more from owner of af a barker
Hi
The first time I heard from a neighbor that he was barking, I started crating him every time I left. (before he was free to roam the apartment) There is a bus stop right outside the window, and he barks every time somebody gets off the bus. If somebody walks by the building on the sidewalk, he barks. If somebody visits one of my neighbors- bark. The slightest noise- bark. That's when I am home and can shut him up right away. When I am gone, more barking. Crated, with toys in his crate! Today the landlord called with an official complaint from somebody. I will try leaving the radio on low when I next leave. Can't afford pet sitter or doggie day care, I am disabled and live on a small pension.
Hi
The first time I heard from a neighbor that he was barking, I started crating him every time I left. (before he was free to roam the apartment) There is a bus stop right outside the window, and he barks every time somebody gets off the bus. If somebody walks by the building on the sidewalk, he barks. If somebody visits one of my neighbors- bark. The slightest noise- bark. That's when I am home and can shut him up right away. When I am gone, more barking. Crated, with toys in his crate! Today the landlord called with an official complaint from somebody. I will try leaving the radio on low when I next leave. Can't afford pet sitter or doggie day care, I am disabled and live on a small pension.
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Ok, so it seems the issue is him hearing noises... first you need to train him not to bark and than make sure you "turn him off" every single time he barks when you are home...
for now find a quiet room for him in the apartment (kitchen, bathroom, walk in closet with door open)... noise proof that spot as much as possible and make sure the radio is on loud enough to tune out small noises. Also make sure he has plenty to keep him busy, like someone else said a kong or puzzle toys.
for now find a quiet room for him in the apartment (kitchen, bathroom, walk in closet with door open)... noise proof that spot as much as possible and make sure the radio is on loud enough to tune out small noises. Also make sure he has plenty to keep him busy, like someone else said a kong or puzzle toys.
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^^^ Agreed.
Normally I would not agree with a "bark collar", but the original poster has an emergency on her hands! Training is one solution and should certainly be tried, but training takes time. Since she's already been officially notified by her landlord, she must unfortunately find a solution that works right NOW.
Sad, but it's doubtful the other tenants or the landlord are going to have the patience to wait for training alone to take effect. The dog keeping it's home depends on stopping the barking problem NOW.
Another solution is de-barking done by a vet. There was a thread on that recently ... supposedly it's done with a laser and does not negatively affect the dog. Again, not a solution I would normally support ... but this dog is about to lose its home if something is not done immediately.
Normally I would not agree with a "bark collar", but the original poster has an emergency on her hands! Training is one solution and should certainly be tried, but training takes time. Since she's already been officially notified by her landlord, she must unfortunately find a solution that works right NOW.
Sad, but it's doubtful the other tenants or the landlord are going to have the patience to wait for training alone to take effect. The dog keeping it's home depends on stopping the barking problem NOW.
Another solution is de-barking done by a vet. There was a thread on that recently ... supposedly it's done with a laser and does not negatively affect the dog. Again, not a solution I would normally support ... but this dog is about to lose its home if something is not done immediately.
I agree with the possibility of debarking.
In a situation like yours, debarking is NOT inhumane. It doesn't affect the dog in the least. Spaying and neutering have far more drastic effects on a dog than debarking. My mom's dog is debarked, and it hasn't affected the dog at all. I don't think the dog even knows she's debarked. If anything, the dog is happy because she can bark to her heart's content without being constantly shushed.
In a situation like yours, debarking is NOT inhumane. It doesn't affect the dog in the least. Spaying and neutering have far more drastic effects on a dog than debarking. My mom's dog is debarked, and it hasn't affected the dog at all. I don't think the dog even knows she's debarked. If anything, the dog is happy because she can bark to her heart's content without being constantly shushed.
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R
I agree fully with your TGR, and you too, Gempress on the surgical debarking.
If you can afford it this might be your best overall solution. Dogs who are debarked still bark, still get the same joy from it, it just does not make as much noise.
If you are able to get this done, then it may be a happy ending story for all. Maybe you can speak to your vet and arrange a payment plan with them, if you tell them your situation.
If you can afford it this might be your best overall solution. Dogs who are debarked still bark, still get the same joy from it, it just does not make as much noise.
If you are able to get this done, then it may be a happy ending story for all. Maybe you can speak to your vet and arrange a payment plan with them, if you tell them your situation.
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True, but doggy daycare would be an ongoing expense. As Red said the OP can explain the situation to her vet and ask for a payment plan,once it's paid off it's done ... no ongoing expenses.
They generally don't advertise it, but many vets will agree to payment plans for their clients who are having serious problems. She would probably have to speak directly to the vet who owns the practice though ... rather than one of the receptionists, who likely would not have the authority to authorize a payment plan.
They generally don't advertise it, but many vets will agree to payment plans for their clients who are having serious problems. She would probably have to speak directly to the vet who owns the practice though ... rather than one of the receptionists, who likely would not have the authority to authorize a payment plan.
S
I agree with the rest. I also have a yappy little dog. I've gone the shock collar route, I've used muzzles to keep her mouth shut so she cant physically bark, and I have used some training techniques explained to me here at chaz. I am now looking into debarking, and I am not even in an emergency situation. Despite popular belief, I do not think it is cruel or abusive in any way. It lets the dog bark its head off while we live in some peace... all at the same time. Cant go wrong there.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
