The Neighbor

[Dog Obsessed]

Hello Dog Lovers,

My neighbor has complained many times about Yoshi's barking. He even told me to beat Yoshi so he wouldn't bark. I told him "No, that isn't going to happen." So I've had to put Yoshi in the garage every night, so he wouldn't bark. But my garage doesn't have air conditioning and Yoshi has Cocker Spaniel and Sheltie in him, so his fur is pretty long. I'm concerned that keeping him in the garage is, in a way, coming across to Yoshi as punishment. I certainly do not want it to seem that way, but what can you do? Yoshi's a dog. Is there a way to teach him to stop barking at night? I've never heard of such a thing. Although, if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on this matter-I would love to hear your comments. Thanks.

-Dog Obsessed

[dxu1d]

Teach the dog 'good bark or speak' when it does,thats easy, & 'good quite or silance' when quite. How to?? A loud,really loud NO when u want him to stop barking, try holding your hand over it's snout & repeat NO, a rubber band or hair band over snout works [on some dogs] Tell neighbour dogs do bark & good ones warn neighbours also if something or someone isn't kosher! Is dog lonely,bored,thirsty,hungry? Read, research, ask & train your dog, use it's brain...Good luck!

[Dog Obsessed]

dxu1d,

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try it.

-Dog Obsessed

[Angie]

Hi there,
Dogs don't usually bark for no reason - I think your dog is trying to tell you something.
What kind of environment is he in when he starts barking? Maybe he can see people walking past outside, or is hungry, or wants to come inside, or is lonely, or is in pain, or sees another dog, or the neighbor's kid is taunting him ....
There's quite a lot of possibilities as to why your dog is barking. I think it's important that you observe him closely and try to figure out why.
Also, what kind of barking does it sound like? Is it repetitive, evenly spaced, and with similar tone/inflexion? (if so, it might be boredom barking.) Is it deep and throaty and almost howling? (If so, it might be territorial in nature - he might see someone near the house, or another dog.)

[Dog Obsessed]

I think you're right. My neighbor does have horses. I've figured out that he barks at the sounds that the horses make--like rattling against the coral. I think he also barks at every little sound because he can't see what's making the noise. He's probably scared. I'll bring him inside the house at night, then maybe he won't be scared or confused.

thanks for your thoughts and suggestions

- Dog Obsessed

[Dog Obsessed]

Angie,

To answer your questions...

He's out in the backyard at night. I have a fairly large backyard, and in the east corner is my neighbor's horse coral. My other neighbor has two dogs, but I've never heard them bark at night. Yoshi's barking is repetitive and sometimes deep and throaty. He could be bored at night, that's very possible. But I can't imagine him being bored during the day. I walk him every morning, and play with him in the yard.

[natdol]

He also could be barking through learned behaviour, for example if you always go down to him when he barks, then he has learnt that barking gets results. The quickest way to stop this is to stand outside the door with a small squirty bottle of water, as soon as he barks open the door quickly say 'NO' and squirt the water in his face, then say nothing and shut the door. Your timing has to be impecable, but you should only have to do it a handfull of times and very quickly your dog will learn not to bark when left at night. It won't hurt your dog and is an easy way to teach undisirable behaviour. Good Luck.

[Dog Obsessed]

natdol,

thanks for the suggestion! I could try it, but Yoshi loves water, he actually likes to be squirted with water. Has been that way since he was really little. But it's worth a try, thanks

-Dog Obsessed

[kuritsa18]

You could also try those no-bark things they have. Its a small box and you can attach it to the wall outside and it emitts a high pitched sound when the dog barks that they hate and its supposed to teach them not to bark. I have heard they work well but they are a little pricey at around $100; but you'll only need to buy it once. Also, if you are keeping him in the garage and are worried that he thinks its a punishment give him treats and lots of praise for staying in the garage so he knows its a good thing and a good place not a punishment. You can have toys and blankets, a bed, in there too to make him more comfortable and so he knows that's his sleep spot.

I read on another post of yours that you live by a highway so maybe that's why yoshi is barking too because the cars are loud and it's busy?? He could also be distracted with so many things going on outside if he is wondering around and barking instead of sleeping at night. Maybe he thinks that night is play time so you could try getting him into more of a routine and try teaching him that night is sleep time. Also, Do you have a dog house or anything for him? Dogs need an established place to sleep that is like their 'den' or 'cave' so you could try that? Plus, maybe it's not such a good idea to leave him outside all night by himself if you yard is not fenced; you don't want him to get into trouble with the highway or your neighbor

[Dog Obsessed]

kuritsa18,

thanks for the ideas! Yoshi has a doghouse that my father built for him. It's insulated and has carpet in it as well as a deck. I keep him on a tie out cable that is attached to his house at night. So he isn't wandering around.

thanks again!!
-Dog Obsessed