2 Barkers

fourcats

I'm really ashamed to be even thinking about this but has anyone used one of those things that are supposed to stop dogs barking? My two are driving me demented "protecting" my patio each time someone passes. They most likely do something dreadful like give an electric shock each time the dog barks, but I'm (and neighbors) are at wits end.

VonVix

Can you block their view? So they can't see passers by? Even with something temporary such as cardboard so you can see how well it works with them?

I can totally understand that feeling where you don't know what you can do to quickly fix an issue. But I'm not a fan of bark collars at all. I have seen new behaviour issues arise out of the use them and products like them. Would never be worth the risk I'm afraid.

kylith

I looked into bark aversives before and the problem is that because they work on the sound frequency of the bark they can be set off by other noises. Doors slamming, thunder, and noises like that will set them off, so the dog will get shocked even when it's done nothing.

kathleen37

Are electric bark collars even legal? If they are, they shouldn't be.

Bring them in, that should stop the barking.

CeilingFly

We've one barker out of two, but we're on a rural lane and its not frequent. Its called watchdog barking.

Possibly look at getting a dog behaviourist

Here's an idea of what it does and cost http://dogwise.ie/?page_id=33

But first try this yourself http://www.ohmydog.ie/oh-behave/dog-barking-at-everything/

Sweetemotion

fourcats wrote: »

I'm really ashamed to be even thinking about this but has anyone used one of those things that are supposed to stop dogs barking? My two are driving me demented "protecting" my patio each time someone passes. They most likely do something dreadful like give an electric shock each time the dog barks, but I'm (and neighbors) are at wits end.

They are bored. Have you tried walking them?

Thinking of getting an electric dog collar? Would you like a device that gives you an electric shock everytime you talked?

fourcats

I wouldn't dream of putting a collar on them that would do them harm, I'm at home all day with them, I live on the coast with lots of walks, they seem to start the bark well before the person even appears even if it's only one the other seems to start up just for the hell of it. Keeping them in doesn't make a huge amount of difference they just love doing it inside or out. The problem is I live very near a beach and with the warm weather we are having dozens of visitors to the area, it will most likely ease off once September comes, in the meantime I'll just keep the neighbors placated with bottles of wine!!

kylith

Try telling them 'stop' or 'enough' when they start barking and giving them something to chew on. After a while you should have them trained to give a couple of warning barks and then stop when someone approaches.

Nody

fourcats wrote: »

I wouldn't dream of putting a collar on them that would do them harm

Well what you're asking for is the equivalent of slapping a baby every time they cry; will it work? Possibly but it is done by fear induction and has high risk of leading to other destructive behaviours instead as the trigger for the barking is still there but gets directed to something else instead. Your best bet is to teach them to bark on command and then teach them to stop barking on command and tell them to stop barking and reward them greatly for doing so (suitable sized bone to gnaw on for example to keep them distracted) and they will start to cop on what you want them to do when strangers come there.

nearzero

If you are at home with them when they do this, you could try train it out of them. Distraction techniques do work! So you could get a friend/partner to recreate the situation with you - I presume its people passing your patio & reward them for not barking, so get them to sit or lie down & give them a treat. If you can recreate the situation a few times a day for a few days in a row - they soon learn that they dont need to bark cause they are being rewarded for staying quiet! Give it a try!

We have a dog that barked & ran out in front of any car that came into our driveway & bark very aggressively at the person as they were in the car - again protecting the house. We tried it & now he doesnt bother - he just stays lying down!