Barking ...help!

[Poodle wrangler]

I left Charlie (standard poodle) in the backyard by himself and he must have barked for a solid 30 minutes- he was barking when I got home and a chicken carcass I'd given him to keep him entertained was untouched. I could still hear him barking 500m away- no exaggeration . He saw us walk away and I took the smaller dog because since Mr PW cut down a tree and dented the fence he can escape if highly motivated (it'll be fixed asap). He'll also bark if tied out in front of a shop (local shops where I'm less than 100m away).

I work part-time and the dogs are used to having each other, plus humans, about much of the time. They're not allowed to bark for more than a few minutes, if I'm home they're "shhhh"ed. They sleep outside, but have access inside-outside when I'm at home and generally hang out with me or sun themselves on the back deck. Dog's life .

The mini poodle (6 years, dominant temperament) is a protective barker and likes the sound of his own voice. He's walked daily, plenty of stimulation, chew toys/ bones etc if I'm out. The standard is more laid back and happy to be follower, not leader. Also has plenty to do. If he follows in the other dog's footsteps I'll have noise complaints for sure.

How do I stop him becoming a barker? Do I need to cure the older dog's barking first?

I tried an ultrasonic collar on Oscar before, but it worked OK to start, then lost its effect. I also noticed it would go off when he was just running or jumping, not barking .

Anyone tried an e-collar? Ideas?

Edited July 30, 2007 by Poodle wrangler

[Erny]

PW - I think this needs to be narrowed down somewhat ......

Is Oscar used to being by himself?

[Poodle wrangler]

Thanks for replying, Erny.

Oscar is a 6 year old mini poodle. Charlie an 8 month old standard poodle.

We live adjaent to a gold course and Oscar has started barking at golfers on the fairway. If they come close to our fence, fair enough, but on the fairway's not good. Oscar tends to be barker and is used to being by himself e.g. when I work, though he much prefers his humans about.

I take each dog out by themselves, but there's usually a human at home with the dog who isn't coming with me.

Charlie is used to having at least Oscar about since coming to live with us as a pup. Day of the 30 minute barking episode I had to take Oscar with me, so Charlie was home alone.

Both dogs are inside-outside when I'm home and I've started giving Charlie a bone and leaving him outside for 30 min- 1 hour (until barking starts), then I wait for a pause in barking, call him and bring him in (for sake of neighbours).

I've started TOT with him also. He looks at me, but barks on tie out. I have to wait for him to take a break b4 I go out to him with the food.

Charlie will bark when Oscar starts.

ETA: Charlie does obedience classes with me (local club). Oscar is well-mannered, other than the barking and been to obedience in the past. Both exercised mind & body. Oscar is actually the more active of the 2, though both active dogs.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Poodle wrangler

[Erny]

Both dogs are inside-outside when I'm home and I've started giving Charlie a bone and leaving him outside for 30 min- 1 hour (until barking starts), then I wait for a pause in barking, call him and bring him in (for sake of neighbours).

You're on the right track - but don't wait UNTIL Charlie barks. Go out to him or call him in BEFORE he begins to bark.

Could be that Charlie pairs the barking with receiving your attention/company - especially if the pause is not long enough.

Assuming Oscar's barking is not born from anxiety, and if you go for an antibark collar, be careful with running the two dogs together. If they are in close proximity to each other and one receives the stim, that dog could pair it to the other dog (and react accordingly) or re-direct its excitement/tension to the other dog.

I think you said in your earlier post that the dogs receive plenty of exercise for both physical and mental stimulation? Oops! I see you've said that in your post just now.

I've started TOT with him also. He looks at me, but barks on tie out. I have to wait for him to take a break b4 I go out to him with the food.

Good that you're doing TOT. Maybe you're already doing this, but if he (not sure which dog we're talking about now) barks at you, immediately turn and go inside (with the food) and ignore him for a period. Repeat TOT from the very beginning each time.