Barking issue

Tamalee · 12-28-2005, 12:33 PM

We got a letter of complaint from our downstairs neighbour yesterday about Lil, they say she barks constantly when nobody is home and whines. We keep her in her kennel, and we have tried letting her have free roam but she still has issues.She has a kong we fill with treats and we give her things to chew on, but I guess she just misses us too much. I tried letting her watch the tv, put on music, nothing must be working.We can't afford to put her in doggy daycare, so that's not an option. If this keeps up we could get evicted. Anyone have any suggestions, we had bought one of those barking things, the dog barks and it sets off a high pitched noise, but that failed.The only thing I can think of is a shock collar, or moving to a house, I really don't know what else to do.

Brandy · 12-28-2005, 01:33 PM

I dont have any ideas for ya as Sasha is a huge barker when we're not home, and im assuming Nellie is also because when i go the basement nellie barks for me,,,lol

our old landlords who lived above us at our apartment used to get annoyed with sasha,,,but she does adventually stop after 20 mins or so

I hope someone has some advice and tips for you!!

Tamalee · 12-28-2005, 01:44 PM

Thanks anyways Brandy, I really am afraid someone else will complain too. I don't want to be evicted. Does anyone have the authority to take Lil away because of this, or can I just get fined by the city?I have no idea what to do and am really concerned.

Mollymitten · 12-28-2005, 05:53 PM

Why don't you call your local government office and find out what the by-laws are? Also your landlord/tenant agency to see where you stand on the apartment front. I know here in Ontario I could get kicked out if enough complaints were received from other residents. We are allowed animals provided they don't cause a disturbance for other people in the building, then either they or you have to go.

suzoo · 12-28-2005, 08:03 PM

If you decide on the collar.. get a citronella collar instead of a shock collar.. more humane IMO.

Tamalee · 12-28-2005, 08:39 PM

The people I work for used the Citronella collar for like a month until their dogs got smart and realized that if they bark enough the collar will run out of spray. They said they would give me a collar to borrow and I guess we will see if that works.

Brandy · 12-28-2005, 08:56 PM

petkeepers mom has the citronella collar,,it works for the most part,,he just learnt how loud he could bark so he wouldnt get sprayed,,,LOL

I wouldnt say the dogs were smart if they barked until it ran out of spray,,,,thats not being very smart to me,,,they just obviously didnt care,,of course it will run out, but I hope to god you wouldnt be out long enough in the run of a day for it to run out, Im sure it takes a while for it to run out

Brandy · 12-28-2005, 08:57 PM

oh and Foo Foo(Petkeepers moms dog) knew he could bark when he wasnt wearing the collar,,,,he barked quietly with the collar,,,barked loudly without the collar,,lol

then Barb just gave up and lets him bark

Tamalee · 12-28-2005, 10:23 PM

Lil is only alone for 2 days a week for about 6 hours each day, other then that one of us is home or she comes wth us. I guess the Citronella collars only work for about 30 sprays then they need a refill, so if it goes off once every minute that's only half an hour of spray.If worse comes to worse we may have to get a shock collar, though we are trying alternatives, doggy day care is just too much money.We use treats and peanut butter in her kong, we will be monitoring it for a while to see how long she goes on for.

Candycane · 12-29-2005, 01:12 AM

Her kennel should be a safe place and a place that she feels comfortable with. Do you ever crate her when you are home? Maybe reviewing crate training might solve the problem?