WDYT of shock collars?

[phunluvin82]

Would you ever use one? What if it were, hypothetically, between that and getting rid of your dog?

Our 1 yr lab mix that we adopted a few months ago barks like a maniac for sometimes hours on end when we leave the house. She has a very loud & peircing bark. We live in a triplex and other tenants are beginning to complain. It's becoming a problem with the landlords who obviously don't want their other tenants driven off.

If we move, it would probably just be the same problem in a new apartment...we can't afford a single family home in the city & can't move out of the city b/c we have one vehicle and my H walks to/from work.

We have tried the basics suggested by our trainer...wear her out before we leave, special crate treats, kongs, etc. It hasn't seemed to help. I would do doggie day care, but it's not in the budget right now.

Would you be willing to try a shock collar in this scenario? I really don't want to...but I feel like we are starting to run out of options. We thought that once she got used to us, the house, the schedule, she'd get over it, but that has not happened yet (we got her in June).

It's odd b/c in general, she is not an anxious dog...she will go with anyone, does not have issues with unfamiliar people, almost never barks when people are around...even if it's a just a stranger. So I don't know if she's barking out of seperation anxiety, or just a tantrum of sorts.

[redheadbaker]

I'm not a fan of shock collars in general, and specifically not in this instance. Since you've tried wearing her out, it sounds like she might be anxious about being left alone. I think a shock collar would make it worse.

[patches31709]

I don't think this is the type of scenario where a shock collar should be used. Have you tried a DAP collar or citronella? Maybe if it is separation anxiety medication would be helpful.

[sebd12]

another dog to keep her company? You'd be amazed at the problems this solves.
I'm not a fan of bark collars, because i think it confuses them a lot.
That being said, if it's the difference between her staying in a loving home with food and exercise and her going to a 4x8 "cell" with little interaction until she hopefully gets adopted, or you getting kicked out of your home, I would try it.
But try other calming measures first. You don't want to jump to the shock collar if all she needs is a thunder shirt and a little lavender.

We also have had good results by keeping the radio on for them all day.

Good luck!

[phunluvin82]

We have tried the DAP diffuser that plugs into an outlet, but not the collar. We do have another dog..she used to be the same way when we first got her, but she eventually calmed down about being left alone. She's almost started to regress now though, b/c when the new dog starts barking like crazy, it sets her off and she starts up too!

We haven't tried a thunder shirt...that might be an idea, thanks!

I think you are all right...I'd hate to confuse her and/or stress her out more. There seem to still be other avenues that we have not yet exhausted.

ETA: radio! we have not tried that yet either.

[sebd12]

Do they get to play together or are they kept separately? I would integrate them if you haven't already. Hope it works and make sure your neighbors know you are actively working to fix it. Maybe slide some earplugs in their mailboxes with a note "thank you for your patience while we try to get our newest dog to adjust to our home. We are hoping to hit on the solution soon!" or something. that way they don't KEEP complaining.
Get a bone shaped cookie cutter and make some people cookies for your neighbors/landlord.
They have the ability to really push this issue and a little thank you or comic relief will go a long way for you.

*people cookies as in cookies for people. Not Sweeney Todd style. Although, that might solve the complaining neighbor problem as well. Your choice.

[phunluvin82]

Nov 5, 2012 14:27:15 GMT -5 sebd12 said:

Do they get to play together or are they kept separately? I would integrate them if you haven't already. Hope it works and make sure your neighbors know you are actively working to fix it. Maybe slide some earplugs in their mailboxes with a note "thank you for your patience while we try to get our newest dog to adjust to our home. We are hoping to hit on the solution soon!" or something. that way they don't KEEP complaining.
Get a bone shaped cookie cutter and make some people cookies for your neighbors/landlord.
They have the ability to really push this issue and a little thank you or comic relief will go a long way for you.

*people cookies as in cookies for people. Not Sweeney Todd style. Although, that might solve the complaining neighbor problem as well. Your choice.

lmao @ the Sweeny Todd style cookies! Those are great ideas re: the neighbors though.

The dogs are currently separate. We're working on that...but they currently play a bit rough to be unsupervised. My 16 lb Boston thinks she's a badass and is relentless and won't give in until she's getting a smackdown, lol. The new dog is just happy to jump around and play...I'm just worried right now that she'd hurt her inadvertently.

[katietornado]

Our dog used to bark from SA, and we lived in an apartment. Our purely positive trainer suggested a citronella collar. I'd try that long before a shock collar, though I am sadly familiar with how it feels to be considering that.

[sebd12]

Hmm, yep she might still just be lonely since they are separate. our dogs play together really hard, but the good thing is, if they truly get along, they will work out how rough to play. I would watch them play together and notice when one "gives up," or correct them verbally if it gets out hand. The smackdowns sound and look much worse than they really are. They usually will give up before they get hurt. It's scary to watch sometimes but they really are just learning/ playing. Hopefully they place nice and you can feel comfortable with how they act around each other soon. I bet being able to play together all day will help with the anxiety/loneliness barking!

[kellbell191]

I agree with a citronella collar. Our dog barked endlessly when crated. We had to stop crating him and no issues since. Our next step was going to be citronella.