Any Advice?

[Kaffy Magee]

Every morning Kaden my dobie barks and howls to be let out of his pen. first thing in the morning, while we are still trying to sleep he starts and my GOd it drives me crazy. He goes on and on and on you think he would wear himself out, but he doesnt.I have ignored him all this time but it doesnt work, I only let him out when he is quiet which can take some time because he wont shut up. I dont think hes getting it. I have tried yelling at him lately, and hes quiet for all of about 10 seconds. He is too far away from the house for me to have any sort of instant reaction, like water spray etc. Its usually only in the morning, although sometimes if he needs to be put away during the day, he will be quiet for a while but once hes decided hes had enough he will bark again.

The fencing around his pen is electric which unfortunately is needed as he chews and rips through wire and was trashing his pen and escaping. Hes fine with that now, he doesnt touch the edges. He happily goes into his pen whenever i ask, no hassles.

Anyway what can i do about this barking. He is let out very regularly and gets plenty of exercise, training and play. Although he can no longer be let out unsupervised anymore as he has taken a liking to chasing cattle. We will hopefully be getting a containment system soon, so i hope that will help.

He is down the back on his own at the moment until the other dogs runs are built, do you think he is lonely? He can see the other dogs in the front yard and us when we are outside but isnt content to just see us. The pens are in the back half of the yard which is fenced off as a run. But even when he is let out of his pen he is not content to stay in the run area.Even though he can touch/lie next to the other dogs through the fence. Ive had him down there and watched his behaviour from a hiding spot and he is frantic, trying to get out into the main yard. You can see his brain working trying to find ways out and he usually succeeds.He is quite the escape artist. That will also be fixed asap. I want to be able to leave him out in an area without worrying he is going to get out. He climbs, jumps, rips wire pulls at bushes and trees and digs.

So how can i stop the barking and do you think he has separation issues or would it be normal for a dog to carry on like that when the rest of the family arent with him?

Other question,

I want to start walking/riding to get some exercise but im not sure if Kaden is still too young to acompany me. Hes 11 months now(wow that went quick)

should i wait until he is older?

thanks guys any suggestions appreciated.Hope all that made sense, im sort of in a hurry.

[Poodle wrangler]

My standard poodle does exactly the same thing if he can see us and the other dog together without him. I think it's normal. We have both dogs inside or both outside most of the time.

Have you checked the basics:

* Enough exercise- daily walk, pref. 2 walk, though not too long while he's still growing. I'd ask the Dobe people (e.g. the Doberman thread http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=99740) what's suitable for his age. I find even a short 10-15 minute walk around the block settles our dogs out of proportion to the exercise involved. Lots of smells, sights etc.

* Stimulation- training, different toys, play.

THe behaviour you describe- digging, climbing, barking- sounds like he's bored.