I've watched a friend's dog bark and bark and bark until the citronella ran out. IMO, they are ineffective for many dogs.
Need Advice
So… i know i have not posted in along time. Life has been insane... Deacon's father and I broke up and i have been dealing with finding him and i a place to live and getting situated. Anyways... things are good now but i am in need of some advice.
The place that Deacon and i moved to is a old cotton mill that has been renovated into loft style condos. It is a beautiful place and even has its own personal dog park!!! However, with a building that is 150 years old there are a lot of creaks and noises. My problem is Deacon came from a quiet house and thinks every noise is an intruder. He barks all the time!!! I have been constant in telling him no and making him sit and he will be quiet for a while until he hears something else. I don’t have to tell any of you what he sounds like when he thinks someone is breaking in and....well... the neighbors are starting to complain.
:help_up_2
Here is where i need advice. I am thinking about getting one of those citronella bark collars. Has anyone used them? Do they work? Also i don’t want him to stop barking forever. I only have a 6 month lease on this place and plan on getting a house after that that is quieter. After we move, will he relearn to alert me when someone is outside? I don’t know if this make any sense. I loved when he would let me know if someone was there, but at the same time in the house the only time there was noise was when he need to bark. However, now he is just driving me crazy and it isn’t his fault. :sadcry:
The place that Deacon and i moved to is a old cotton mill that has been renovated into loft style condos. It is a beautiful place and even has its own personal dog park!!! However, with a building that is 150 years old there are a lot of creaks and noises. My problem is Deacon came from a quiet house and thinks every noise is an intruder. He barks all the time!!! I have been constant in telling him no and making him sit and he will be quiet for a while until he hears something else. I don’t have to tell any of you what he sounds like when he thinks someone is breaking in and....well... the neighbors are starting to complain.
:help_up_2
Here is where i need advice. I am thinking about getting one of those citronella bark collars. Has anyone used them? Do they work? Also i don’t want him to stop barking forever. I only have a 6 month lease on this place and plan on getting a house after that that is quieter. After we move, will he relearn to alert me when someone is outside? I don’t know if this make any sense. I loved when he would let me know if someone was there, but at the same time in the house the only time there was noise was when he need to bark. However, now he is just driving me crazy and it isn’t his fault. :sadcry:
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Even though it won't mean much sleep to you, just try to reassure him as much as possible. I don't know how long you've been in your current situation, but try to be patient with him as he's just trying to do his job. Eventually he'll realize all these strange noises are normal in his current environment. Since you're only going to be staying there 6 months or so, don't be so worried about your neighbors. Deacon will be with you long after you've forgotten about your current neighbor's complaints. Be patient and good luck!
Take Care,
Mark
Take Care,
Mark
I've used the Citronella collar on Petri with pretty good success, but I have to agree with Mary in that they don't work with all dogs and it didn't work all the time for Petri.
I got it initially for working with Petri barking/screaming every time someone came to the door. He would go from calm to frantic in a split second and once he was frantic there was nothing that I could figure out to calm him down or even get his attention. The squirt of citronella totally took his mind off the door (or who was at it) and quieted him long enough for me to get his attention and work on proper greeting techniques. It did not, however, discourage him from barking all the time. So, for that, I give it a 10.
On the other hand, we then employed it for travel purposes. If he had to be crated at my parents house for any period of time, he'd scream the entire time (not so good when my dad was working mids and in need of sleep during the day) - Dad reported that the screams were fewer and further between but there was no actual enduring silence.
So, I think that they're probably good for short term use if you are training/working with the collar - but not so good for remote training when you're not around.
I got it initially for working with Petri barking/screaming every time someone came to the door. He would go from calm to frantic in a split second and once he was frantic there was nothing that I could figure out to calm him down or even get his attention. The squirt of citronella totally took his mind off the door (or who was at it) and quieted him long enough for me to get his attention and work on proper greeting techniques. It did not, however, discourage him from barking all the time. So, for that, I give it a 10.
On the other hand, we then employed it for travel purposes. If he had to be crated at my parents house for any period of time, he'd scream the entire time (not so good when my dad was working mids and in need of sleep during the day) - Dad reported that the screams were fewer and further between but there was no actual enduring silence.
So, I think that they're probably good for short term use if you are training/working with the collar - but not so good for remote training when you're not around.
we tried one for coco cause he insists on barking and trying to scary away people that walk down the sidewalk when he is outside playing...due to his past...But he didn't even acknowledge that the collar was on him...soon we didn't even know when the stuff ran out...or if it was even in it in the first place cause he didnt respond to it at all.I've watched a friend's dog bark and bark and bark until the citronella ran out. IMO, they are ineffective for many dogs.
I would probably just try to get him use to the creaks and stuff eventually...walk around the house alot...or maybe could you possibly play music or leave the TV on so he cant hear it...at weird times like at night when your sleeping...but yet...then again...he is doing a good thing...and I don't know if having the radio on or tv to block out the sound would be good b.c then if someone really does break in and he didnt hear them...
usually Duchess will calm down once I get up and respond to whatever she is barking at...I know its a pain for you to get up knowing your dog is just barking at nonsense...but it means alot to him.
We just get up...look at what duchess is barking at....either say "nothing there"...in a sweet voice and maybe a little praise if she stopped barking by then...and go back to what I was doing...Java's trainer at Obedience Classes has suggested using a plant mister with cold water - a quick blast on the snout and 'Hush'. The command will let the dog know that everything is fine and the barking isn't necessary. Have been using it with 15-month Java and it is s-l-o-w-l-y working. I sympathize with your situtation - we are in a semi-rural area and I want Java to alert me if there is an intruder by the house - just control the barking not eliminate it altogether. To her doggie mind an 'intruder' is everything from a chipmunk to a deer to the UPS guy!
You could put a note up in your laundry room letting your neighbors know that Deacon is being trained not to bark. You'd be surprsied how understanding people can be when they know that you are doing your best to remedy a problem.
You might also try 'Dogs for Dummies' and see what they suggest. Or maybe pick up a few new balls/toys and distract Deacon from his barking by playing with him?
The only problem with 'comforting' a dog when he hears strange noises is that you might just have confirmed to his/her doggie mind that the noise is actually something to be concerned about. I have never comforted Java when there's a loud crack of thunder, for example and, in spite of me, she has never cowered when there's a thunderstorm.
Best of luck to you both!
You could put a note up in your laundry room letting your neighbors know that Deacon is being trained not to bark. You'd be surprsied how understanding people can be when they know that you are doing your best to remedy a problem.
You might also try 'Dogs for Dummies' and see what they suggest. Or maybe pick up a few new balls/toys and distract Deacon from his barking by playing with him?
The only problem with 'comforting' a dog when he hears strange noises is that you might just have confirmed to his/her doggie mind that the noise is actually something to be concerned about. I have never comforted Java when there's a loud crack of thunder, for example and, in spite of me, she has never cowered when there's a thunderstorm.
Best of luck to you both!
I would try playing the radio or t.v. especially since you will be moving shortly.
If it's hard for you to sleep, or whatever with the raido or TV playing you might try tuning it between stations, where all the sound it makes is a "ssshhhhh" noise.
It's an old Hunter S. Thompson trick.
It's an old Hunter S. Thompson trick.
I agree 10000% with JM, I think if people know that you are doing your best at fixing the problem they are more likely to be understanding. Maybe put a little basket with some ear plugs and a $5 gift card to a local coffee shop on their porch with a little note explaining that you are doing everything that you can to fix the situation. Tell them exactly what you told us, the creaky bldg is new to deacon and he isnt sure what to think about it. Your working on it, and you will be gone before they know it!
Barking Dogs can be really annoying, and Dobermans have a REALLY serious bark....Good on you for trying to be considerate.
Barking Dogs can be really annoying, and Dobermans have a REALLY serious bark....Good on you for trying to be considerate.
Cole lived the first 6 years of his life on 5 quiet acres with hardly any traffic or people walking by. Last year I moved to a corner lot in a busy subdivision witrh lots of kids.
He barked at everything. Any car door slam, any person driving by, any person walking by, everything. Fortunately he has since gotten use to most of the noises and doesn't jump up and bark at every noise he hears.
Hoefully yours will too adjust to all the new noises.
He barked at everything. Any car door slam, any person driving by, any person walking by, everything. Fortunately he has since gotten use to most of the noises and doesn't jump up and bark at every noise he hears.
Hoefully yours will too adjust to all the new noises.
That is such a great idea! Not only will it calm down those who are upset about his barking but it's also a great way to meet people in the building and make new friendsBackInBlack said:I agree 10000% with JM, I think if people know that you are doing your best at fixing the problem they are more likely to be understanding. Maybe put a little basket with some ear plugs and a $5 gift card to a local coffee shop on their porch with a little note explaining that you are doing everything that you can to fix the situation. Tell them exactly what you told us, the creaky bldg is new to deacon and he isnt sure what to think about it. Your working on it, and you will be gone before they know it!
Barking Dogs can be really annoying, and Dobermans have a REALLY serious bark....Good on you for trying to be considerate.
Thank you so much everyone! I swear this is the best site ever with the best people!! I love the idea of writing a note! I can’t believe I didn’t think to do that… haha. I think you all are right though I am just going to continue to work with him and let him know that the noises are ok. I just feel so bad because he is just doing a good job.
I have talked with some of the dog owners at the park and they have been very reassuring. They have all told me it just takes time to adjust.
I just want him to be happy… right now he is on alert ALL the time and never relaxes. I hoping he gets more comfortable
I have talked with some of the dog owners at the park and they have been very reassuring. They have all told me it just takes time to adjust.
I just want him to be happy… right now he is on alert ALL the time and never relaxes. I hoping he gets more comfortable
Another noise reduction idea is using a fan to drown out noises. We sleep with a fan every night all year long because it has a rythem to it that puts us to sleep, I suppose we are pretty addicted to it LOL. We have central air but still like the fan for that very reason. It may not cover the louder sounds but it can cover a multitude of squeaks and creaks.
Ya know, I got to thinking... Storm did this same thing when we moved from our pretty quiet neighborhood here (the first time) to Germany. Like Deacon, she was on alert all the time - It took a few weeks and she finally got used to all the new sounds and calmed down... I hope it's the same with your boy...
Thanks DaKari for the fan idea! The windows in the new place are 22ft tall!! So adding a fan might serve two purposes... drowning out noises and not having to run the AC as much.
I am hoping so TracyJo! He is such a good boy, however, it is always go to hear stories like yours!
Today when i left for work i turned animal planet on for him so that it wouldnt be so quiet.
I am hoping so TracyJo! He is such a good boy, however, it is always go to hear stories like yours!
Today when i left for work i turned animal planet on for him so that it wouldnt be so quiet.
You are so lucky that you found a place that will let you have a doberman.....when me and my ex split I was trying to find a place and there were NONE that would allow that breed....it was crazy. Also, I got kicked out of the vets office the other day because I had Sabot right next to me in a sit....he couldn't move...I made sure of it and a lady walked in the door and let her lab come right up to him and he barked and groweled.....but because he was the one that did that, we got asked to leave....I was upset!! to say the least!
Your vet asked you to leave? I would have been upset also. I have never seen a vet ask someone to leave like that. Usually I have seen them put them in a room ASAP to get the dog away if they are going on and on, but never leave. Hope it wasn't anything serious he needed.
DM-We moved from 10 wooded acres to the city when I split with my ex. Needless to say my dogs where also not used to the sounds of people and cars. It took some time of reinforcement and adjustment, and they were constantly on alert. After sometime they got used to the noises of the town and cars. Good luck with it.
DM-We moved from 10 wooded acres to the city when I split with my ex. Needless to say my dogs where also not used to the sounds of people and cars. It took some time of reinforcement and adjustment, and they were constantly on alert. After sometime they got used to the noises of the town and cars. Good luck with it.
Deacon's Mom...you live right outside Raliegh don't you LOL...Oh my goodness you moved into the same place my brother in law lives!!! what a small world!!
PeeWeesMama's Caraleigh Mills? What is your brothers name?
Yes thats it!!! He lives in the front building, his name is Patrick. He loves it there!!
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