What do i do about my dog? Stay or go?

Question

My dog barked all the time wen i leave him, it was ok as i never went ne where but now my boyfriend has a job and i have 3 small kids and feel like im stuck in the house. I take him where ever i go but i cant go to town or shopping. I also want to get a job soon and he would not be able to stay at home all day, he would bark (ALL DAY), Hope u can help.

I had the dog before the kids!

Answer 1

Avoid "anti-barking collars" because a dog's bark is nothing more than a human's version of saying, "Hey!" It's cruel to "teach" your dog that it's unacceptable to be a dog!

Separation Anxiety is very common with dogs. Here's a way to help yourself and help him at the same time.

First of all, don't use "baby talk" with dogs. It gives the dog the idea that you are not the Alpha male/female. Regardless of how sweet and loving your pet is, they need to know that you are the Alpha and are in control; they are not.

By talking to your dog in a calm manner just tell the dog you'll be back in a minute. Go outside without the dog for about 2 minutes. Make sure that you are completely out of your dog's vision and then after the 2 minutes, come back inside and praise the dog (not using baby talk!) for being such a good dog while you were "gone." About an hour later try this again and go outside for about 5 minutes, repeat the above steps.

Wait another hour and then stay gone for 15 minutes and repeat the above steps. This will allow your dog to realize that when you leave... you always come back.

You can also give your dog a small treat each time you come back inside and praise him. This way not only is he remembering that you always come back but that you come back with a smile, praising him and he gets a tiny reward.

I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 2

Your dog is most likely barking due to separation anxiety.

Is your dog crate trained? If not, start there. Being left home alone can be very stressful for a dog, and they bark from boredom and anxiety. A crate, which is a small enclosed space (and fairly dark) acts like a den for a dog - a place to go when they're scared. As such, a crate can make a big difference to an anxious dog when you're gone.

Also, there are a lot of products on the market that help calm your dog. Try Comfort Zone. It's a plug-in similar to the kind they make for air fresheners, except that it releases DAP (Dog appeasing pheromone) to calm your dog. You can also purchase a number of calming sprays or calming pills / supplements for your dog.

Lastly, when all else fails, there is always the option of products that stop barking. While that doesn't address the cause of the barking, it can be helpful if nothing else has worked and you have neighbors who complain. There are devices that are mounted on the wall and emit a high-pitched sound when your dog barks. Then there are no-bark collars. As with any such device, purchase a quality product, not a cheap one, and read the instructions thoroughly before use.

Answer 3

Every days an adventure for my dogs too and they love it.
We don't go anywhere but to the store ,work or out to eat without them.
They fall into a routine very quickly and it can be hard or easy for them but that's up to you.
What I've always done is real simple.Before I walk out the door I stop and give the dogs some attention.I tell them good-bye and they have to stay at home and watch the house for me and when I come home I'll bring them a treat.Before I go to work they go to the park for an off-leash run for at least half an hour-45 min.,I lay a big piece of plastic on the floor and cover it with newspapers in case they have to go and can't hold it.I cover the living room floor with old flat sheets in case someone has to get sick and I toss down treat balls that I filled the night before or bones from the butcher shop or I hide dog biscuits around the house for them to find later.They also have lots of toys to toss around when they get bored.
They go to sleep for at least 2 hrs after I leave them and entertain each other while I'm gone.And as soon as I get home they go out for a half hour play session in the yard.
If I go to the store I again tell them "I'm sorry you can't go and I always bring back a cheap toy or a beef jerky stick and they're fine with it.
Whenever I say "You can't go this time"They both go lay down.One climbs on the couch and the other one takes the floor or a chair to wait.They know when I get back something goods gonna happen.

Answer 4

OMG, I just went thru a "barking dog" situation with my neighbors,it was OUR dog that was barking,so I know your concern. I would DEFINETELY try to do all I could to keep him. What about doggy day care a couple a days a week and then keeping him inside in a crate JUST while you are gone? I am a stay at home mom, and our dog is like yours too. He goes out in our fenced in backyard and plays with our foster dog during the day,then at night he is in the house with us. Doggy day care (if it is even offered in your area) can be expensive every day of the week,so like I said maybe he could go to that like twice a week. We have a crate for our dog (he has been crate trained since a puppy when we adopted him from the shelter) and he is in that if I go somewhere I cant take him with me and my hubby is gone or asleep (he works nights). Also,if doggy day care is not offered in your town anywhere, boarding him just during the day at a groomer or vets office might be a possibility. If you do decide to go with using a crate when you are gone, he might bark to begin with,but will prob fall into a routine. In our dogs crate we put a little doggy bed on the floor (he has a wire-type crate,not one of those pet carrier looking crates but several diff types of crates are available),we give him a rawhide chew,and we ALWAYS make sure to play with him./pet him and tell him what a good boy he is before he goes in it. If you just put him in it right before you leave and dont make a fuss over him for a couple of minutes,he might be more apt to bark. Also,you could try Basic Obedience Class. Our dog took it,and graduated. The only problem I had with that option is that if someone is there to give him the ":hush" command,he will be quiet. But if he is left alone in the yard or sometimes in his crate,I know he will bark. Good Luck and please at least try working with him. If you DO get in the position you have to give him up, please try to find him a good home thru ads/flyers,dont just take him to the shelter as he might not even get adopted. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

they have a collar that has a compartment that hold citranella and when the dog barks it spritzes the scent which dogs do not like this may help stop the barking, a question i would be asking myself is this, how long have you had the dog and how attached are you, this has a huge bearing on your problem, pets can always be put up for adoption, however if you are really attached to him or her you'll want to try many alternatives if the choice is to keep or adopt out.

Answer 6

well i think personally you should get rid of you kids, then youd av more time for your dog,lol. no seriously if you dont think this is the right answer you shouldnt of got a dog, before getting a dog you ave to look at the possibilities of getting pregnant, my boyfriend and i dont have children because we have a dog.
unfortunatly i think you will have to give the dog away it is best for all of you and you will have less stress when you find a job because you wount be worrying about the dog. if you have trouble finding a home for him/her email me im sure i will be able to help. [e-mail]

Answer 7

There are several good bark control collars on the market.Just get him one.Taking on the responsibility of a pet doesn't mean till you get tired of some action he takes up that annoys you.You learn to control the action.That animal loves you or he wouldn't have separation anxiety about being left behind.

Answer 8

There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog. Learn more http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?7Qtu

The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

Answer 9

Ur dog probably feels jealous, reassure him and maybe get a dog walker if u dont have time
did u get the dog b4 or after the children?

Answer 10

Your dog is experiencing "separation anxiety". It's very common.

Depending on the dog's age, breed, or temperament, you should ask your vet for advice. You may be able to train it, or it might need meds (tranquilizers).