[4dogs3cats]

he barks a lot. More than your typical beagle. He barks when he hears ANYthing. A car, a doorbell, another dog, someone walking by. Really anything. I am working with him. We go to petsmart and public places and I work on his sits and sit/stays and downs and such in front of large crowds. In front of other dogs, etc. He stays at my parents 3 days a week. He barks at everything there. I dont like the e-collar. I actually hate it. Its made him sort of neurotic. It doesnt phase him. He barks-it shocks-he yelps- i look like a bad owner- he barks again- he yelps louder(level 2)- people stare, etc. Not a good system. Whats everyones opinions on the citronella collars? i wont put anything on him while he is at home, this is just for him to wear while at my moms, 3 days a week. Any thoughts? Here we go guys, I want posistives AND negatives!!! Let the games begin!

[Durbkat]

I don't think it would work as it would just spray his chin. lol Plus a those spray collars never seemed to affect many dogs.

[4dogs3cats]

Well no they spray out in front of his face. The reason I ask this is because I dont want him to become fearful. If he has something spraying in his face, it may make him skittish. I would hate that. But something needs to be done abouthis barking, its too much.. Its not typical beagle baying, its SCREAMING where is voice even cracks while hes yelling his head off.

[Durbkat]

You could give it a try, I've never seen one of those used, I figured that it was just a box on a collar and it sprays straight up. If you can't get it under control with products or a trainer perhaps after you have done all the options you could debark him if its really that bad.

[pamperedpups]

I know of at least one barky Beagle who wasn't phased by a spray collar. How much daily exercise and training does the dog get?

[Elana55]

Well, I don't know.. Atka barks at trials when she is in her crate and I have to work. She is silent when with me. A ctironella collar was suggested but I am not sure that would work and neither was anyone else.

I had a problem with Atka jumping on people. I have been teaching her to sit when people approach but I don't see that many people first hand who will follow instructions to back away when asked etc.

So, one trainer suggested I teach her to jump up on command and to "off" on command. The object was that the dog would get a reward for jumping up on command but no reward if she did it on her own. It is working some, but not real well because the jumping up in self reinforcing.

However, you could try something like that with Kody? Teach him to bark on command so he learns if he barks without a command he gets no treat and them move on to giving him a treat for silence? He is already barking a lot, so getting him to do that on command should be easy. Problem is, it may be self reinforcing like the jumping is to Atka so it may not work.

Getting him to not bark and then teaching him a command like "silence!" and using rewards to do it might just work. Or you could use rewards and the clicker to teach him just silence and not to bark on command. I am fishing here but he is a really cool Beagle so I thought I woud throw a try at this one.

Just an idea and, really, I hope someone reads this and has a better way and shoots this one out of the water!!!

[4dogs3cats]

Originally Posted by Durbkat

You could give it a try, I've never seen one of those used, I figured that it was just a box on a collar and it sprays straight up. If you can't get it under control with products or a trainer perhaps after you have done all the options you could debark him if its really that bad.

I refuse to de-bark any dog but especially a beagle. Its like taking away a labs ability to swim or something. Just seems so inhumane. Plus the vochal chords can grow back.

Originally Posted by pamperedpups

I know of at least one barky Beagle who wasn't phased by a spray collar. How much daily exercise and training does the dog get?

Tons! I have had him out for long walks, hiking, running around at the dog park, and walking thru a park full of chickens doing training for him to get home EXHAUSTED and fall asleep on the chair and the SECOND a dog barks a MILE away he is at the window going nuts. When the dog stops Kody literally passes back ou on the chair. Exercise seems to only rile him up more. I know RBark is the same with Ollie.

Originally Posted by Elana55

Well, I don't know.. Atka barks at trials when she is in her crate and I have to work. She is silent when with me. A ctironella collar was suggested but I am not sure that would work and neither was anyone else.

I had a problem with Atka jumping on people. I have been teaching her to sit when people approach but I don't see that many people first hand who will follow instructions to back away when asked etc.

So, one trainer suggested I teach her to jump up on command and to "off" on command. The object was that the dog would get a reward for jumping up on command but no reward if she did it on her own. It is working some, but not real well because the jumping up in self reinforcing.

However, you could try something like that with Kody? Teach him to bark on command so he learns if he barks without a command he gets no treat and them move on to giving him a treat for silence? He is already barking a lot, so getting him to do that on command should be easy. Problem is, it may be self reinforcing like the jumping is to Atka so it may not work.

Getting him to not bark and then teaching him a command like "silence!" and using rewards to do it might just work. Or you could use rewards and the clicker to teach him just silence and not to bark on command. I am fishing here but he is a really cool Beagle so I thought I woud throw a try at this one.

Just an idea and, really, I hope someone reads this and has a better way and shoots this one out of the water!!!

You are so full of knowledge. Move here. My apartments are so nice. And Atka and Chance could play together and you can dogsit both of my dogs, and it solves everyones problems, even yours with the hating snow thing

[Darkmoon]

Question Jen, Have you taught Kody the "quiet/enough" command?

First you teach him to speak, then get him to bark on command then tell him "quiet" with a hand signal and as soon as he is quiet (even for a second) you give him a treat. (I just say that Elana said the same thing lol sorry for the repeat!)

From what I hear once the dog knows that there is a time and place to bark, they bark less often. I don't know how true this is since Carter never barks inless he thinks someone is in the house. I can't even get him to bark when he plays so, I'm not complaining about that at all.

[Alpha]

I'm not a fan of using spray collars or shock collars to deal with barking.

It's a training issue.

Because that's my opinion, there isn't too much I can offer for advice when it comes to you not being home.

When you are home, I would reccomend distracting Kody with something wonderful, and rewarding him once he stops. I don't mean, give him the treat while he's barking though! Have the treat in your fingers, and slowly bring it by his nose, when he smells the treat and becomes interested, ask for a sit, and most likely he won't be barking anymore, THEN he gets the treat.

That's the first step. The next step once he's got the hang of that, is to add a cue word, I use "Enough" with my dogs.

Roxy was an awful barker as well, territorial. I still allow her to bark to alert me if anyone's around the house, but once I give her the command to stop, she complies.

Good luck

[4dogs3cats]

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

Question Jen, Have you taught Kody the "quiet/enough" command?

First you teach him to speak, then get him to bark on command then tell him "quiet" with a hand signal and as soon as he is quiet (even for a second) you give him a treat. (I just say that Elana said the same thing lol sorry for the repeat!)

From what I hear once the dog knows that there is a time and place to bark, they bark less often. I don't know how true this is since Carter never barks inless he thinks someone is in the house. I can't even get him to bark when he plays so, I'm not complaining about that at all.

I cant make Kody bark. Bailey speaks and when you get her going she never shuts up. But she doesnt speak unless spoken to. So I know that was a true statement.

From what I hear once the dog knows that there is a time and place to bark, they bark less often.

I cant get Kody to bark, and even if I could, he alert barks a lot when im not home when people walk by. And cement shoes (our noisey upstairs neighbor) works nights and sleeps days but he gets up and walks around all loud and banging like and it makes Kody go nuts, hes calmed down with cement shoes lately, he knows he aint walkin any quieter, but he just goes nuts when he hears other dogs! or sees people. My DoG! If he sees someone walk by he freaks out and tears the blinds down.



When hes going nuts barking a slab of steak wouldnt pull his attention away. Im serious. Hes CRAZY! I dont mind him barking to alert while im home but when im at work I get complaints

[TooneyDogs]

You need do determine what kind(s) of barking you're dealing with...there are 5 kinds: Boredom, Frustration, Excitement, Watchdog/Alert and Fear. Obviously, an e-collar should never be used on a dog that is barking out of fear...it will only make things worse. The fix for Watchdog barking is teaching the dog what is normal and what is not normal (what to bark at and what not to bark at). Excitement barking (while chasing a ball or, dinner is coming!) we tolerate, even smile at and for Boredom and Frustration we relieve them of those things.

[4dogs3cats]

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

You need do determine what kind(s) of barking you're dealing with...there are 5 kinds: Boredom, Frustration, Excitement, Watchdog/Alert and Fear. Obviously, an e-collar should never be used on a dog that is barking out of fear...it will only make things worse. The fix for Watchdog barking is teaching the dog what is normal and what is not normal (what to bark at and what not to bark at). Excitement barking (while chasing a ball or, dinner is coming!) we tolerate, even smile at and for Boredom and Frustration we relieve them of those things.

how do i relieve him of them if I am at work? I came home just now and he did NOT tear the blinds down, but he did get at the garbage, we usually keep it up but SO forgot, but No destruction out of frusteration. So I praised him like he just pooped a diamond.

[TooneyDogs]

How did you eliminate Watchdog/Alert barking as the primary cause? The fix for Boredom barking is exercise and mental stimulation...you said you do plenty of that. Frustration, not being able to get at what he wants... like going out, access to other dogs or people (socialization) or toys doesn't seem to be the problem.

[4dogs3cats]

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

How did you eliminate Watchdog/Alert barking as the primary cause? The fix for Boredom barking is exercise and mental stimulation...you said you do plenty of that. Frustration, not being able to get at what he wants... like going out, access to other dogs or people (socialization) or toys doesn't seem to be the problem.

My guess was frusteration. He does this when I am not home and people walk by and sometimes have dogs and he goes nuts trying to get to them. I know he alert barks when I am home for when people come over, but as far as when I am not home it seems to be boredom or frusteration, or just plain to annoy me!

[Elana55]

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

Move here. My apartments are so nice. And Atka and Chance could play together and you can dogsit both of my dogs, and it solves everyones problems, even yours with the hating snow thing

Oh I have thought that, in 11 years when I retire, of moving west. However, my pension and SSI won't let me afford Phoenix. Fact is, it likely won't let me afford NY State.. LOL

I would move NOW but the commute to work would be H*ll!

I am actually in the process of trying to decide if I should sell my house and try to get a small farm here and just accept I will live here OR stay right where I am and in 11 years, upon retirement, LEAVE and go west.

I would love a ranch. I would. I have run the figures and cannot make it cash flow. I found two one year.. and one was in AZ, but it needed all new irrigation equipment and with the mortgage for that, for the ranch and to get the livestock the cash flow just did NOT work. Takes a LOT of land to support a cow in the South West!

I like the plains too.. up around South Dakota, Eastern WY and Eastern CO or western Nebraska, but winters can be brutal and summers short and hot and I am not sure that it is good country for an Older Woman.

So, that is the dilemma. If I did not have such a secure and decent job where I am doing some really positive things, I would likely do something and pick up now and move west.

Now.. back to KODY.. Here is an idea.. Remember the clicker? Well, how about shaping his barking behavior? IOW's there are situations where he barks. Well when he does, click and treat. He will figure out soon enough that you will reward him for barking. Then add a word. Remember, shaping with the clicker is using behavior the dog exhibits first.. and then shaping it and, finally adding a command.

How about this as another idea.. use the clicker and reward him for silence when he does bark. He has to take a breath at some point (tho he IS a Beagle!!!). When he stops for even a second, as suggested above, click and reward.

Shaping behavior starts with the dog doing something on his own. Just like in heeling.. the dog is walking around and when he accidently comes up next to you in heel position you click and reward the dog and then keep on clicking and rewarding while he is in that position as fast as is humanly possible. The dog will eventually learn that being in heel position is good for treats (and in some dogs it happens in one day).

Can you apply that same principal to his barking? When he stops, even for a second, click and treat as fast as you can for the silence. It takes timing and really being attentive, but it MIGHT work and it might be a start. It may not be a fast fix but it might be worth a shot.

[TooneyDogs]

While I stated that there are different fixes for the various barking behaviors there is one common thread for all of them that will either make the barking better or worse and that is....attention. If you're adding your voice to the chorus it will stimulate more barking, not less.
That's the 1st step to start working on barking problems....talking less and then figuring out what will calm him down...a quiet, Sssshhh, a Thank you...that's enough...stepping inbetween the distraction and Kody, redirecting the behavior with a frozen Kong, a calming massage....anything to reduce the frustration and anxiety.
You are NOT rewarding the barking by doing this. You are teaching Kody that there is a different mental state that he can enter...one that is more rewarding and calming.
There was one thing you mentioned earlier...exercise but, you said he never seems to tire out or calm down. That makes me wonder how much sugar and how many carbohydrates he's getting (dogs don't need either of these)...they create 'sugar highs' and excess energy.