I have two dogs a beagle and a labrador. The beagle has always barked a lot, we have had some success in stopping her - when waiting for food for example. However she continues to bark unnecessarily, in particular when in the garden. She also barks when playing and chasing the labrador. I know the neighbours are not happy about it but do not know how to stop her. The only solution at the moment is to turn the hose on her, ok in summer but not in winter and the effect soon wears off. Any ideas would be most welcome. Sara

HI Guest

Isympathise, you have a very difficult problem I would think.

make sure you never "reward" her unintentionally by giving her attention as she barks, even shouting can be seen as attention by the dog.

It sounds as if she barks for fun as much as anything, is it possible to put a trailing lead on her and when she barks say "That's enough" and put her i the house?
Then when she is quiet let her out again.

You might have to do this many times a day before sh e cottons on and also you will have ot be consistent so it will be very very hard work.

It is also possible to reward a dog for not barking so that they eventually learn, but I have never done this myself. Sorry probablynot very helpful but hope it does help a bit.

If you are getting in to real trouble with the neighbours try getting in a very very good behaviourist, they may help if anhone can.

I had a Belgian Shepherd that used to scream when she heard my next door neighbour in his Garden, and my current breed cam be vocal. I used the get them in the house method as soon as they started and it worked with both breeds. In the house I use a spray bottle, with the nozzle adjusted to a jet, not a spray, and squirt in the face and quietly tell them no, and reward for being quiet. It is enough now for me to pick it up and there is silence from my four Elkhounds. As I had allowed the awful problem to develop with the BSD, which I broke her of by dragging her into the house each and every time she yelled, I only had to do this a couple of times with the Elkie Pups and they soon got the idea. If they want to be nosey they have to be quiet!!

I understand that the Aboistop co;;ar can be effective, but it isn't cheap!

Agree that the water spray nearly always works, I too have Elkhound and have used it to good effect on my first five elks but my latest thinks it's very exciting and requires even more loud barking. It's a real problem with the others now as I too could control them by just picking up the bottle. Am now using a small pistol that I can hide in my hand but it means that I have to spray it to have any effect and if he notices he goes demented. Missed you Brainless at Birmingham City yesterday but I quess it is too far for you when there are no tickets to say nothing of the cost. See you at Richmond if I make it. Jackie H