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Dog Behavior Library
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Letter
to neighbor with barking dog
Dear Neighbor,
This is a note
to tell you your dog has been
vocalizing to an alarming level.
The frequency of this disruption
has increased to the point that
you should know, since there
is no way to make a difference
if you don't know about
it. In an attempt to be a good
neighbor, we have tried to live
with it, but it is now too disruptive
of our lives to continue to
ignore this problem.
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The
barking is a clear reminder
that you are not home, (since
you would certainly stop
it) and therefore the risk
of an intruder is a possibility.
|
 On
one level, it is a simple intrusion
of our sleep and enjoyment
of life. Murphy's Law
dictates that when it occurs,
it is usually the nights we
REALLY need to sleep. Sometimes
we are not good sleepers, so
that if wakened, we cannot easily
get back to sleep for many hours,
if at all. It feels as if something
of value is being stolen from
us on a regular basis. The barking
is a clear reminder that you
are not home, (since you would
certainly stop it) and therefore
the risk of an intruder is a
possibility. This sometimes
causes anxiety so that one of
us has to get up and check all
our doors. The problem is most
annoying at night, but for your
reference, it is not uncommon
for them to bark or howl at
any time of day.
The second level
is as pet lovers. If you were
here, you would hear how much
pain is in the barking and crying
that they do. Since we are with
earshot, we are forced to hear
very clearly every wail, whimper,
bark and howl. It is not clear
how much of their pain is physical
pain, and how much is emotional
pain, but it is clear that the
vocalization expressed is what
spills over their ability to
handle physical and emotional
pain. All this causes us as
pet owners emotional distress
over their well being.
So, what
to do. This letter is intended
to offer constructive
suggestions from a professional
animal behaviorist, to try to
rectify this problem.
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1)
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Have
them checked for physical
pain. There is a reasonable
chance that at least SOME
of their discomfort may
be physical. Not many veterinarians
are familiar with medical
components of behavioral
problems. When you take
them in, have them carefully
checked for Arthritis, Dental
Pain, Intestinal Parasites
(bring a stool sample),
Bladder infection (have
a Urinalysis done), Dermatitis,
and any other source of
chronic discomfort. A thorough
behavioral work up also
includes a serum blood profile
to see if there is any internal
source of nausea, or pain
due to early internal organ
dysfunction. |
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2)
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It is possible that there
may be some mild mental
illness present. This might
take the form of senility,
separation anxiety, phobias,
dementia or other. Again,
there are not that many
people who work in this
field. A consultation is
available by phone at (800)
372-3706. |
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3) |
If
it is determined they are
mentally well, increase
mental stimulation. Some
emotional pain is simple
boredom. The easiest way
to do this is with chew
toys that have food hidden
inside. Examples are "Kong"
or "Buster Cube",
or the "Planet Pet
Goodie Gripper Toys".
Give them their daily meal
inside these toys, when
you leave. Giving them something
to do when you are home
reduces the likelihood they
will be interested whey
you are gone. The idea is
that it becomes a motivated
puzzle, and a form of entertainment
for the dog to occupy them
while you are gone. The
most important time to divert
attention, is immediately
after you leave. |
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4)
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Increase
their exercise. If they
don't have physical
pain from movement, then
it may be what humans call,
"cabin fever."
The body needs a certain
amount of exercise to be
mentally at ease. If they
are not leash trained, then
some training may be needed.
There is a new type of "head
collar" (Gentle Leader™
800-933-5595) that eliminates
choking and pulling on the
leash. A rule of thumb is
to average walking one block
per 10 pounds of dog, once
a day as a minimum. Larger
dogs need more. Only exercise
off the property reduces
exercise anxiety. |
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5) |
Rule
out simple causes of environmental
discomfort. Maybe it is
as simple as they run out
of food or water, or are
too cold or wet, and crying
out for help. |
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6)
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If
you have ruled out all of
the above, consider making
him or her an indoor dog.
Being indoors is much more
comfortable for most dogs,
because of temperature,
sleeping surface, and they
are immersed in their owner's
smell, which is comforting. |
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7) |
If
this is diagnosed as Canine
Separation Anxiety, then
daily sedation may partially
remove the symptoms of mental
and emotional discomfort.
Combine this with
a behavior modification
program. See
www.AnimalBehavior.Net.
Also don't say goodbye,
or give enthusiastic greeting,
since these worsen Separation
Anxiety.
|
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8) |
Consider
a citronella bark collar.
The newer models do not
cause any electrical shock
or discomfort. Instead
they use a small mist
of citronella smell. They
are made for barking,
but might not help howling
or whining. If this is
done by itself, it only
stops the symptom, and
the dog is still terribly
unhappy and frustrated.
Therefore this citronella
collar is not recommended
until after sources of
the physical or emotional
pain are treated. The
recommended
collar for this use is made
by Premier
Pet Products at 888.640.8840.
Cheaper collars often
malfunction. |
| 9) |
Last
resort is consider a new
home for the dog. If you
cannot find out how to decrease
it, and they continue to
express unhappiness of this
magnitude, they are not
happy dogs. |
I
hope this information if helpful.
Please do something so it is
not necessary to contact the
authorities regarding the barking.
A
concerned neighbor
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