Sound familiar? I hope so, because I could really do with some help! I have a Bearded Collie x Collie bitch. She is normally a happy, confident, well behaved dog until I have to leave her on her own. Luckily I don't have to do this very often, but with the warm weather ( not that we get much of that!) I have to leave her more often as I can't leave her in the car. I'm probably the neighbour from hell, because as soon as I go out she starts barking and apparently she doesn't stop till I come back. I've tried leaving her free to roam about the house which actually makes her worse, I've tried leaving the radio/T.V on, I've also tried a gadget that you put food in and the dog has to roll it to get the food out, all to no avail. It's been suggested that another dog for company could be the answer, but the phrase " bitting of more than you can chew" springs to mind! I now leave her in the kitchen as this is the room she seems most comfortable in and although she doesn't bark for the first 10 minutes that I leave her she makes up for it after that! Would appreiciate any advice on this, I'm willing to try anything, would also like to here peoples views on getting another dog.
Thanks Chammy xx

Hi chammy, I have two working beardies, a beardie cross, and a lurcher which is beardie/border. However, I really dont think the breed or cross is relevant. This sounds like seperation anxiety to me, although I am no behaviour expert. If it were my dog, I would shut him away, and open and close the front door, but stay in the house. When the barking starts, open the door of the room he is in, very quickly, tell him a very firm ...no!..and close the door again. If he is then quiet for a few minutes, open the door again and praise him. I would just like to say this is only my opinion, and probably other posters willbe able to give you better advice. Wishing you allthe best.

Thanks for your response Pilippa, I've had a go at what you suggested before, but I must admit it's hard to find the time to carry out such a long winded process, but you may be right, it's definatley worth having another go at. Thanks again. Chammy xx

Chammy

I know this can be an awful problem that can lead to many difficulties with neighbours. You are right though - another dog would compound your difficulty. It would pick up on your current dog's anxieties and you'd have two at it and it would be far more than twice the work to put it right - if you were able to at all.

Your dog needs to understand that you are coming back and something to occupy him while you are out. You need to start putting him in the kitchen while you are in and correceting him when he barks but also praising him when he doesn't. Only leave him for a couple of minutes and build it up.

What you musn't do with a dog like this is create any form of routine for when you are going to leave him so that he knows what's coming and gets upset. Put him on the kitchen while you do housework, go for a bath etc etc. He'll then start to realise that it's OK there and you'll come back and he might not even notice you've gone out at all.

While you are in the kitchen with him - give him something sturdy to chew - try the flavoured nylabones - but only let him have it in the kitchen - find something he really likes - but control when he has it - sometimes when you are in - sometimes when you are out.

hth - btw - what radio station do you leave on - he might prefer another channel:D

If you only put the radio on when you go out - he'll tie that in with you not being there. I found the radio upset my younger boy so leave nothing on and they both sleep or chew - but quietly:)

Pam n the boys

We had this problem with Max - while we were IN the garden. He would bark at our neighbours like a mad dog. But over the last month he hasn't bothered at all and even ignored our neighbours when they were on their roof/balcony - something he previously found very irritating. All we did four weeks ago was to send Max in to the house - telling him off as we did so. He didnt understand at first but soon got the idea and now we are lucky if we can hear a grumble at all from him when our neighbours are in the garden. We are also surrounded by 4 neighbours all with balconies so really had to get a grip on this. How did we get him to listen to us - well we have been doing a behaviour program involved with his food to improve his concentration on us.

If your dog does what he's told then try sending him indoors when he barks and he will soon learn not to bark outside. The same applies indoors send him to his bed if he barks out of the window, etc. Hope you get this sorted I know it can be a real pain - we've had about 16 months of annoyed neighbours and about a month of peace :D

And if Max can 'follow' the message, any dog can :D :D :D :D Hurray Banger!!!!!
toodles

It is the method I have used to ensure my lot don't bark outside, and Elkhounds can be rather vocal if not discouraged firmly!