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My dog barks at me when I want to leave but stays alone perfectly when I leave with my husband

974 views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  petpeeve 
Your vet is likely incorrect.
Barking is self rewarding. I am in a sport where barking is required at some points in the competition. At those points in the routine you must be able to "shut the barking off." Barking gets a reward (a bite) and shutting it off also gets a reward (a bite). Some dogs find that second part REALLY hard but they do learn. These are dogs in high drive.

In your case your dog has not learned that barking is a privilege and not a right. I would try this first: Put barking on a command cue. Yes. Teach her to bark on command. When she barks, reward her. Once you get her to do that then teach her to shut it off. Only reward the shut off at that point. Be very consistent.

On a dog as small as a ShiTzu I hesitate to recommend an electronic bark collar. The issue with the bark collar is the dog learns to not bark when it is on, but does not learn not to bark when it is off. Leaving the bark collar on every day when you go to work can lead to irritation on the dog's neck where the contacts are and, when left like that most dogs move the collar around so it is not situated over the voice box and may not stim when the dog does bark. This is information for you in case you decide to go this route. If you cannot solve barking this solution is better than getting rid of the dog due to neighbor complaints. JMO.

I use one when my dog is in a dog box at training since barking in the crate (when he hears other dogs barking on the field) burns tremendous amounts of energy and is annoying to neighbors etc.. I have used one when I have had dogs outside in kennels during the day when I am at work. I am now retired and have moved to a place that is more remote so a dog barking in no issue now.
 
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