h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We have a seven month old red cloud kelpie cross rottweiler that is not a pet but a working dog therefore he lives outside. He has a dog house he chooses not to use and a bed that he is constantly trying to eat during the day he occasionally barks and when he does its because he has found a blue toungue or spotted a kanga or brush wallaby. However at night there is a dog about three farms away that barks and he spends half the night answering him with the end result being we don't get any sleep. Anybody got any ideas on how to stop him from barking he has learned to sit, heal and come on command and will lie down with a reward but how do you train a dog not to bark?

That's a difficult one, I haven't gotten it quite right myself yet.

There are collars that you can buy that are sound activated and give the dog a mild shock when it barks, I've heard they are effective but I have no experience with them.

Apart from that, you need to work in degrees. When you have the dog in a training session, try to recreate the conditions that cause him to bark then give him the command to be quiet and reward him when he gets it right, same as with training him to do anything else. Once he understands the basic command, you can begin extending its use to other situations and eventually you may be able to get him to obey even when you are not present, or asleep.

That's the theory. Like I said, I haven't gotten it right but fortunately my dogs don't bark too much, mostly it's just when they want my attention at playtime.

Thank you that sounds like a plan will borrow a friends dog that also likes to bark and will plan to start this week, will let you know how we go. heres hoping unbroken sleep soon follows.
From the grateful owners of Muchu the night barker

hayafi,

I know that in Australia there is a collar available that sprays citronella when the dog barks - sounds a little kinder than a mild shock.

But surely you don't want him to stop barking completely - sounds like he's a pretty good guard dog ...

Silly thought .... maybe a pair of earmuffs so that he doesn't hear the other dog barking

Hello again

Will investigate the collar, yes we do want him to act as a guard dog which is big part of the reason we got him so that on those occasions when the kids stay at home they still have some sense of security.

But I do need to train him to stop when I want him too he can bark some of the time just not all night

Re ear muffs cant see that working in 38 degree heat however it may work for my hubby re my snoring

Okay does this mean my original call sign (showing my age now I know) is less than original what would you suggest?

Traveller in Time on his head
"The collar with citronella did work for a dog at a friend. Always started barking when he was at work. Reduced to only slight head movements as a training result.

Why not give the dog a bone ? That is if he stays quiet for a night "

Thanks for that good to know it works will order one over the net

"Okay does this mean my original call sign (showing my age now I know) is less than original what would you suggest?"

hayayfi

Ooops - just realised that you weren't referring to me mispelling your name

No - the change in tag is to show weirdo how she can change her onscreen name if she wants - she said that she missed her real name.

I like Hayayfi

Have you tried fitting your dog with a pair of head phones so the music blocks out the barking of the neighbours dog? :0)

It is a known fact that there are dog collars on the market that although a bit expensive do stop dogs from barking. Cheers. T :0)

Could you consider getting another dog as a companion? As he's a working dog and therefore not a part of the 'family' in the same way a pet would be, it could be plain old loneliness, he may be enjoying the contact and communication (or just being territorial, who can say?). Of course you could just be doubling the fun, so consider carefully!
I am personally not in favour of just getting a negative reinforcement collar to stop a behaviour when other ways of thinking around the problem with different understandings might help more, but I'm not a fan of negative reinforcement in general anyway... If you want him guard barking still, how will he know what is and isnt allowed if he gets a spray/shock/painful sound every time he does bark??

Do you have any TTOUCH practitioners in your area? They can really help with practical ideas for discovering roots of problems or unwanted behaviour and ways to overcome them...

I would suggest that if your dog is barking all night AND chewing his bed your answer is fairly obvious- your dog is bored. What does the dog do all day? Does he get enough exercise? Does he get enough stimulation? Is he in any pain or distress or is he ill in any way? Aniamls are just like humans, if they are unhappy in any way they will find a way of letting you know, I think you'll probably find a contented and well exercised (and, hopefully, tired) dog will give you a lot more peace and quiet. Also, I agree that a collar is not kind, because what you're doing there is failing to address the dog's need, and it would only be the equivilant of shutting a crying baby away where you can't here the wailing.

I had an Irish Setter years ago that figured he'd be let in the house, on a warm summer night, if he just barked enough. After shouting out the window, with no result, I went out the other door, and grabbed a piece of 2 X 4 about 3 feet long (no, not to hit him -- wait for it!) and snuck up on the back of his dog house. I swung the 2 X 4 at the dog house as hard as I could. Scared him silly. Then I told him to lie down and QUIET. Not another bark out of him. He never woke me at night again!

The way to do it is to teach him to bark on command. When he's learnt to do that make him bark then give him a treat with another command to be quiet.

He'll shut up because he's eating. Keep practicing and he'll learn to be quiet to get a treat, then you will be able to just use the command at any time.

when your dog is barking at night never rise your voice because I was told by a training a puppy often view this as talk back so they will bark louder. Also a suggest I was giving by this train on bark is to fill a empty water bottle with rock or anything that will make a similar sound(you never hit the dog with the bottle)but shake the bottle and say softly quiet or no bark. The sound suprise most dogs and they begin to associate that sound as a negative response to barking also do you crate your dog at night if so try covering the crate with a blanket it will help to drown out any light at night that may be scary your puppy. I hope this help because i know what it is like to have a little puppy keep you up all. On the bight if you don't have any children this should help you propare for those sleepness nights.

isn't it easier just to let the dog expend a bit of energy doing wot comes natural. i've found just let 'em have a little rant (like people!) and generally they sort themselves out!