Mags

Our older ACD became a barker after the loss of her life long companion. We tried a citronella collar with no useful improvement. She very quickly worked out what it was about and went and pushed the canister into the lugs of the tractor tyre and quietly woofed till she emptied it and was then free to bark again. The reason we tried a training collar is that my OH is disabled and it was hard for him to get to her everytime she woofed. The introduction of a puppy and correction when she woofed for no reason stopped her inappropriate behaviour. She is a rescue and could not cope with being alone - which is why she was barking. It is important to find the reason for your dogs inappropriate barking, if possible, and do something to rectify the situation.

We had this problem 15 years ago with our first ACD - just got her over it when next ACD arrived and problem started again. Had a flash of insight and have not had a problem since. Took down the clothes line and dry things in the clothes dryer. Everyone happy and whilst power bill is more expensive its cheaper than replacing destroyed/damaged washing.

Do not use food with our current adolescent at all - she is so food fixated that if you have treats in your pocket she is so focused on your pocket that she hears nothing. Praise reward on the other hand works wonders but it certainly depends on the individual dog.

Eletric collars including those used for containment fencing are also banned and ACS will seize them.

I have always observed a pack structure in my own dogs - if we don't call it pack do we call it peck order (as in chooks) because something is obviously there. I do agree that domestic dog social status can't be directly correlated to wolves but that doesn't mean they don't have there own social structure call it pack or whatever. Jo