I am in desperate need of a solution that works for my barking collie. The story is something like this, I have a very well behaved dog most of the time and he is well trained in all other areas, gets plenty of exercise (if thats possible for a collie!) and I have clicker trained him since he was young. I have up until recently had two dogs and after rehoming my youngests collie with a friend (due to a new baby on the way) my older dog insists on aggrevating the neighbours by barking non stop whilst I'm away from the house. He is ok with seperation when we are home (eg: in his outdoor kennel when I'm home or in another room) but as soon as he reads the sign of my husband and I going to work or doing the school drop off he starts. I have tried more play toys, mind activiting games like the Kong and things of that nature but still to no avail (infact now he wont even eat when we are missing, not like a collie at all!). I am finding it very hard to catch him in the act as his kennel is in the rear of the garden and being a collie he knows exactly when we return home from the sound of the car etc and stops barking on our arrival (how frustrating)! I am now at the end of my teather and cant think of any other way to reduce or stop his barking when we are out. I continue to train him all kinds of things and have been involved in flyball and dancing with dogs, mostly for fun. I am now considering a anti bark collar, any clues if these things are worth the investment? Thought it might do the job of distration when I cant catch the little bugger barking, any ideas?

I'd be very reluctant (as I suspect you are) to use a anti barking collar of any sort on a reactive breed like a BC - you say he reads the signs that tell him you're going out - have you tried turning those on their head? I'm thinking of going through your normal routine, but not going out........ Or leaving by the back door instead of the front? Leaving the car down the road?

Thanks for your reply digger,

Wondering if you can help me with this one?

As you pointed out I am very reluctant to use a anti bark collar on my BC and I am still working on his separation problems and have been racking my brains to find a solution. I think the only answer is to continue training him and increasing his exercise (its early days yet since the other dog left our home and she has been visiting with her new owner so to make the transition as easy as possible for both dogs).

I have as you suggested tried to mix up the routine by leaving the car behind or down the street and changing the routine seems to work for a short period of time. As you know BC’s are very tuned in! I also have other members of the family to consider, two children and a husband that are part of the pack, and it can be very difficult organizing the rest of the family to conform to a new routine. I won’t be discouraged by my lack of progress so far but I can’t say the same for my neighbours.

Can you foresee any problems with using a nylon muzzle to limit his noise when I’m not home. Don’t get me wrong I am not talking about all the time, but I do have to work (2 shifts per week for 5 hours total) and I have to take and collect my children to and from school (away for a total of half hour twice daily, sometimes I can take the dog with me but it isn’t encouraged by the school staff, daft world these days). The rest of the time I can work around my husband, at least until we solve the problem and/or start making progress. I thought a nylon muzzle might reduce his noise at least for the benefit of my neighbours. I have seen people use nylon muzzles at flyball to stop barking and I understand that it is not a solution to the problem and only a tool to help get me out of the poo with the people I have to live rear. I don’t want to make my collie more stressed and thus increase his anxiety but I just need to know I’m on the right track.

Any thoughts form the rest of you dog lovers, handlers and trainers out there?!

please don't leave a muzzle on an unsupervised dog; it is potentially very dangerous.

Good point! I have never used a muzzle before and have not considered the potential hazards. See what happens when you’re so close to the problem, can’t even see straight. Its funny how one dog and a bit of barking can make you so blind. Although it may be better than the alternative, a border collie rug! (Just kidding).