Last fall, I got a dog from the local shelter. He had a bit of a case of separation anxiety. I slowly worked with him to get him comfortable with being alone while I'm gone for short periods of time. Now, that it is nice out, I want to be able to leave him in an outdoor kennel while I am gone. I have practiced with him by leaving him out there while I am home, but he insists on whining and barking. He may or may not do this while he is alone in the house, but outdoors he may bother the neighbors more than when he is inside. Is there a way to correct, at least, the excessive barking?
2007-06-01 08:42:02 · 5 answers · asked by Leigh S. 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Aside from one of those collars that sprays citronella or shocks the dog when it barks, no - and those don't always work either. You said it yourself, this was a shelter pup who had it pretty rough before you came along. He's gotten attached to you and the security you represent - I don't blame him for being upset when you leave his sight. Any chance he could go with you on some of your outings?
You've obviously made progress with him since last fall, keep up your good work and try not to loose patience.
PS - thank you for adopting a shelter animal, and kudos for being considerate of your neighbors.
2007-06-01 08:52:50 · answer #1 · answered by AngG 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably best not to leave him alone in an outdoor kennel, to be perfectly honest. He'll be more comfortable inside in the environment that he's used to. Also he'll be safer. You wouldn't want him to overheat.
You are doing the right thing to deal with separation anxiety. If you find that he is still barking indoors, I'd recommend the Comfort Zone Plug-In, as a last-ditch effort. It pretty much stopped my dogs barking/whining/house soiling because of separation anxiety.
Good luck! Please be careful if you do choose to keep him outside. Make sure he has plenty of water and shade, and never do it on an exceptionally hot day.
2007-06-01 16:00:18 · answer #2 · answered by Danger Dog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is 'barking' because he thinks that you are 'in the house' and he wants to be with you ... so the way to get him to 'stop barking' is to 'reward him' when he 'stops barking' when you come out ... and 'wait a bit longer' each time, until he'll be 'content' to sit and wait for you to come 'get him out of dog-jail' ... and I really DO believe that 'outdoor dogs' who are left alone should be put into 'kennels' ... although the dog may 'disagree with me' because to them it's like being put in jail.
2007-06-01 16:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't leave him outside alone. There is too much that can happen while you are away from home.
I think you are putting more on him than he can handle. You are changing the environment on him by moving him to a different place again.
EDIT NOTE: NO kudos to "AngG" for suggesting pain with the shock collar and the other thing she mentioned for your dog. Everyone that purchases one of those should have to wear it for one day BEFORE using it on their dog. Those places would go out of business. You never solve anything with pain.
2007-06-01 15:53:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
there is a thing yo can attach to the cage that will make a loud noise everytime the dog barks and it is suppose to stop them from barking. It worked on my two dogs but I can't remember the name of it.
2007-06-01 15:55:22 · answer #5 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋