Home Alone: Barking

Last week my best friend Bette got the dreaded call.  A neighbor confessed she was ready to strangle Bette’s dog for barking, barking, barking.  A horrified Bette explained she didn’t know her dog was barking when home alone.  Many of you are like Bette.

Barking dogs are serious problems.  Not only does your dog suffer, but your neighbors suffer mightily. Worse, there is no “quick fix” for the barking dog.  Sorry folks, but that’s the truth.

You need to take immediate and decisive action about a barking dog, whether you’re the neighbor or the owner of the persistent pooch.

The first issue is discussing the barking issue.  If you’re the dog’s owner, let your neighbors know you’re aware of the issue and you’re working on it.  If you’re the neighbor, the dog’s family may not know about the incessant cry for attention. 

In Multnomah County, Oregon, where I live, continuous noise lasting 10 minutes or intermittent noise lasting 30 minutes is unlawful, and is punishable by a $100 fine.  Worse is the ill will of those around you.  These are consequences that can force you to give up your dog.

For those neighbors who can’t summon the courage to discuss this problem with their offending neighbors, Multnomah County Animal Services will send a “barking dog letter” to your neighbor, along with a brochure designed to help the neighbor understand and correct the problem.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons.  If your dog woofs when he’s home alone, he’s bored, uncomfortable, or anxious.  Keep your dog inside when you’re not at home.  Make sure your dogs’ basic needs for food, the opportunity to pee and poop, and something to do during the day are met.  I use the Kong treat dispenser when I’m away from home for more than a couple of hours.  This electronic device rolls out a treat every couple of hours, enough to keep my dog occupied for a few minutes between naps. 

Exercise before you leave home and after you return keeps your dog ( and you) in a more relaxed state of mind.  As trainers say, “A tired dog is a happy dog.” In the same way you’d take your child to play in the park before you put him to bed, take your dog.  Exercise is necessary, not optional.

Bark collars, including a “strong shot of scent” citronella, the high-frequency sound, and the mild shock collars, can be aids but do not solve the whole problem. Dog daycare may be expensive, but can be an excellent short-term way to increase your dog’s exercise (and keep your neighbors calm) while you continue to work through the steps to solve your dog’s noisemaking.

Dogs are social animals.  You brought this dog into your home to provide companionship. This is a two-way relationship.  You have a responsibility to provide companionship to your dog.  We all fall down in our responsibilities from time to time.  When we do, we simply start again.

Do yourself a favor and print the information at http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/dbcs/pets/BarkingDogAdvice.pdf.  Excessive barking is a major reason that dogs lose their homes. Ask your neighbors for help.  Maybe someone in the neighborhood would baby-sit your dog, or walk her at lunchtime.  Regardless, your neighbors will be thrilled to let you know when your dog is and isn’t barking and they will be glad to know you’re trying to be a responsible dog owner.

My friend Bette now has a crate, a citronella collar, and a regular appointment at the doggy daycare.  She also has told her neighbors what she’s doing about the problem and asked for their help in solving it.  I’ve got my fingers crossed.  Bette adopted a 9 year old Golden Retriever—one that needed a home and has a loving one now.  Let’s hope they can hang on together—my friend, her dog, and the neighbors.

Need a trainer to assist you with your barking dog?  Find one at http://www.thiswildlife.com/links/trainer.  Have a “stop the barking” story? Post at http://www.thiswildlife.com/pets/nature_science/more/155/ to enter this month’s drawing for a “Scat Mat,” a sure-fire way to keep pets off your antique chair or away from the front door.