Sorry Another Barking Question

[Akayla]

Ok so I have a 4 year old German Shepherd bitch. She is barking all the time when out.

Previously we didnt have a problem in our old house even though there were other dogs on two sides of the fence.

Now we live in a new place where I have constructed a run on the side furthest away from next door neighbours as they have three dogs that bark ALOT! My bitch started barking so we put up the run. Blocked her view. Put a sanpit, home alone toy and some chews in with her. She gets on rotation kongs, everlasting balls, chew toys, hidden food, bones ect. She is walked at least once a day and also a half an hour of training and romping.

We have placed a citronella collar and a cold spray collar (both pretty much the same) for around 4 month period, it did nothing. I have tried the distraction method for about a year also (where you sort of ask them to do something like sit ect and get their attention on you and reward when they are ignoring what ever distraction - I used a down as it seemed to keep her the most quiet).

We cant use a E-collar as they are illegal here in the ACT.

Basically I have a neigbour that reports us every time she barks so I stress alot when she starts getting carried away. I can bring her in but she will bark as soon as she is out and despite all of the above. So she ends up locked up most of the day. Although she is inside with me mostly so not TOO bad. She is barking at the nieghbours, their house and their dogs. Even the sound of the dogs moving around is enough to set her off, but these dogs bark ALL day so its easy for her to get started. She has escaped into their yard a few times and actually just plays with them. She even did that when we had two other GSDs for her to play with here. She has met the people too and they have done the treat on nuetral ground thing.

Im sorry this is along post but wanted to give everyone a good idea of what I have done ect. I am now at the point where Im thinking debarking but since Im a single mum I would actually prefer her to warn me and deter people. But I will do it if I have too.

Does anyone have any ideas that I could try? Anyoe tried something and been succesful?

[persephone]

I would go the debarking- if only to lessen YOUR stress levels.

A GSD - even a silent'ish one would deter me

[Akayla]

True. Im definately leaning that way its terribly stressful. Basically this neighbour doesnt like the fact that his view into my yard is blocked by the dog run and has said to everyone that he will not stop untill it has been completely removed. We have planted some trees aswell so I cant wait to hear the contsant complaints about that!

The neighbour has spoken to DAS, Housing (I live in a housing house ) and mediation. All have said I shouldnt worry as well as land and planning giving me the once over to make sure the structure is exceptable. I get phone calls at least one a month, sometimes every two days as these places have to follow up each complaint. And since they have all told him that he has no right to see into my yard he complains about the barking or the smell or the holes Lakota dug in her run. People would remember me talking about this its been an on going war.

So every time she starts barking exessively I start to get really aggitated knowing the phone calls will start. Plus bringing her in (which is the only thing that stops it) just makes it worse I think. The more she is locked up the more energy she has to burn!

At least the guys at DAS are nice. They know me and Lakota of by heart now I always feel bad if I have to call them about something. "Yeah its me again, the one with the water crazy dog".

Its so stupid because the run is for the benifiet of the neighbours. Its a secure run (which DAS insisted she be in when Im not home because she got out once and well lets say a GSD walking down the street is a little scarey to some) and it also should reduce her barking. When she is out she will fence fight and the noise is 10 times worse! I have had the fences fixed and concrete laid ect but at the end of the day I need that run to reduce noise!

Lakota is a good dog, she will stop and lay down when I ask her to, through the window. But inbetween the barking is aweful. Nothing compared to the dogs next door but still not exceptable.

Edited May 12, 2009 by Akayla

[Rysup]

Do the next doors dogs get complained about?

[Akayla]

No but DAS asked me if I wanted to as they heard them while inspecting mine. I dont want to as the neighbours on that side have been really good. Even when Lakota got in with their dogs a couple of times they would just bring her back, untill I found where she was getting out. They are realy nice people with old dogs and they dont bother me. Just shows how biased this guy is though cause the dogs bark through the night sometimes. Where Lakota is brought inside at 5pm

[Steve K9Pro]

I am now at the point where Im thinking debarking but since Im a single mum I would actually prefer her to warn me and deter people. But I will do it if I have too.

K9: Debarking is the last option really, all surgery carries risk, sometimes the tissue removed grows back & other times the sound they make after debarking is worse than the barking.

I have also consulted with people who have debarked their dogs as they developed behaviour problems later on, & of course there are success cases for debarking too.

There are also laws governing debarking that differ from state to state, so they must be considered also.

You should know the risks before proceeding.

[Akayla]

I have heard the risks K9 thanks They are just another reason I am so reluctant to go ahead. DAS said they would give the OK if I want too. So I can and I already have had several referals for vets within travelling distance.

What Im asking is if anyone has any other ideas I can try?