I just got a dog from the pound about 4 days ago, this dog is really relaxed and calm. He never barks, only when we try to leave him alone in the house. I figure he’s just lonely, but I live in an apartment complex so I don’t want to get complaints. Any suggestions besides shock collars? I’m willing to put the time and work, I don’t want to take him back to the pound.
How Do You Stop A Dog From Barking When Your Gone?
Posted December 16th, 2009 by admin
December 16th, 2009 - 3:27 am
I had the same problem with my dog. What I was told to do (after months of ignoring him in his crate while hes barking) was step outside like I was leaving then wait for him to bark then go back inside and say No Bark. That worked because he didn’t actually know that he wasn’t allowed to bark while I was gone. Now for that to actually work you need to tire your dog out like crazy before you leave! Take him for an hour walk, jog or a swim. He NEEDS to be tired before you put him in his crate and leave for the day!
December 16th, 2009 - 5:53 am
Sometimes, it’s helpful to leave a piece of your clothing for the dog to lie on, and also leave a radio on for noise. Both of these can be very comforting to a dog. Also, he’s not at all familiar with his new surroundings and doesn’t yet consider your apartment home. He may settle in with no problem at all given a little more time. Everything’s new to him.
December 16th, 2009 - 9:52 am
Your dog misses you everything you leave. He is just a puppy and needs to get accustomed to your home. Once he becomes comfortable, he will stop barking. But, in the meantime, you want the dog to stop barking. I would recommend the citronella anti-bark collar. It does NOT shock your dog everytime he barks. All it does it spray a small dose of citronella every time he barks. The smell of citronella is bothersome to dogs. Therefore, he will eventually make the connection that everytime he barks, he will be sprayed. You don’t even have to keep it on him for a very long time. Maybe a week or two.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Nancy
Happy K-9 Dog Care
http://www.happyk-9.com
December 16th, 2009 - 10:56 am
Hi!!
I have 23 dogs, so trust me – I know all about barking! LOL!
The above 2 answers are both really good ideas, too! Another thing that may help is a small does of Melatonin about 30 minutes before you leave. Melatonin is all natural and is what is already in our bodies to help us relax and sleep, and it’s very difficult to overdose on (whereas Benedryl can be a bit tricky.) You can also give him Rescue Remedy (found at pet stores, health food markets, GNC and online.) Rescue Remedy is *wonderful* for integrating new and adopted dogs into your home, and is safely and widely used by hundreds of dog rescuers and organizations.
Personally, what I use is an ultra sonic barker breaker called ‘Dog Silencer Pro’ (I bought mine from http://www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com/ds_pr… but you can get it at almost any online pet store – and no, I don’t work for or with this site – it just happens to be where I bought it). I actually purchased 3 of them – one for the front yard, one for the backyard, and one for inside. You can set it on high or low sensitivity and you can also set it on audible or inaudible (to humans, dogs can hear both quite well!)
It has *really* helped tremendously!
Now I know there are a variety of *non-shocking* and very humane anti-bark collars out there, too, but I have too many dogs to buy 23 collars!! For your little baby, you could get a very small one, one that uses sonic sound to quiet her. They also have ones that use vibrations and ones that use a safe citronella mist to train her not to bark. And many collars (and barker breakers) have settings where you can allow a certain number of barks before the sound or spray activates. This allows your dog to give several barks for security reasons, but limits the constant non-stop yapping or barking beyond what you can bear!
One thing I also do in combination with using the Dog Silencer (which I believe also has a convenient keychain remote you can use to manually set it off as needed) is that when the Dog Silencer goes off, I firmly say (in a very loud and deep voice) “No Bark!”
Surprisingly, after a while my dogs have learned to associate ‘No Bark’ to the command to be quiet, without even using the Dog Silencer!
Another option is to get a spray bottle and fill it with cold water and a dash of lemon juice. Carry it with you everywhere and set the spray bottle on ’stream’ (not ‘mist’), so that whenever your baby barks, simply spray her immediately with the water and tell her firmly “Quiet!” or “No Bark!” (or just “No!”)
This method also works very well for any other type of unwanted behavior – and now all my dogs have to see is me picking up that spray bottle and they go quiet instantly! Be careful not to spray her in the eyes, though (try her butt or the top of her head – somewhere she can feel it but not get in her eyes or nose.)
In our crazy dog-filled home, we avoid spanking our dogs (if at all possible), and we definitely avoid shock collars! But really it all depends on breed, severity of the situation and preference of the dog owner!
Oh, and be sure to set aside a special area that’s just his own – a place with a crate and bedding, pees pads or an indoor dog potty, food, water and safe toys (like a treat-filled kong or a treat dispenser where you can record your voice and leave him reassuring messages) – someplace where he’ll be safe and confined (to lessen damage, mess and sound) and bring him in that safe place, with you there with him, several times each day so he can get used to it and smell/sense you in that space.
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Michele