troublesome dog

village_life

my wife and i adopted a dog from a rescue centre 3 months or so ago - at the time we were told he was a special case as he had a "nervous disposition" - but we fell in love with him and took him home....

the plan was that he would live outside during the day as we both work, however thats only started this week as my wife didnt work over the summer.. . so far he's been outside during the day for 2 days, the first day he barked a lot - the second day he barked relentlessly - the neighbours are now raising eyebrows and arent too happy with things.

we've tried our best with him, when we adopted him we discovered he had a really bad ear disease which we got treated - that cost us £300 + an insurance claim, we've also tried changing his diet etc etc so that he calms down a bit.

whenever we go out, he barks relentlessly and once we've escaped out of the front door he barks more and jumps up biting the door handles - the handles to the doors in our new house are all pretty much destroyed from this.

i dont know what to do - his behaviour has always been a bit over the top but we lived with that being part of his character, i could even put up with the fight to leave the house - however the barking when he is outside annoys the neighbours and we cant put up with that.

unfortunately neither my wife or i can get back during the day to tend to him - thats why we bought him a kennel etc - as an interim solution, our next door neighbour has agreed to let him out for wee's etc at lunchtime if we keep him inside during the day, but i dont see this as a long term solution (what if she wants to go out for the day) - my wife does see this as the answer.

other things we've looked into are these neck straps that reprimand the dog when he barks - but i dont see that being the golden answer

its got to the point where the only thing i can think of is giving him up - as hard as this will be to do for us all!? - my wife is obviously against this and wants to keep trying more and more optinos, such as a dog flap into the conservatory.

i just need some outside perspectives?

researcher

I think you could consider some behavioural training - as well meaning as we are towards our dogs, it's how we treat them that dictates their behaviour. If his barking in the past has got him what he desires, there will be no reason for him to change his behaviour.

I'm very keen on the method that rewards good behaviour, and also it's really critical that both you and your wife reprimand the dog for the same things and in the same way - and no grey area's. Something is either White = Yes, good boy, or Black = No, bad boy.

Whilst you find a good dog trainer (get advise from various vets in the area) - check out the local library, there are some very good books on the subject.

(Have you tried leaving a radio on in the house when you go out?)

Good luck.

village_life

thanks

the point being we are out all day, so need to leave him outside so he can do his business etc.

he is 9 years old, very stubborn and has a history of barking etc which was 'cured' but evidently not so

as i said despite our efforts, his behaviour is getting worse, and obviously we cant train him in behavour when we arent there....

JennyW_2

i'm very surprised the rescue home allowed you to home him if you both work all day? dogs shouldn't really be left for me than 4/5 hours at a time.

I'm not surprised he's barking - he's obviously very lonely and distressed - along with the fact that he's already suffering from a nervous disposition. With hindsight, he would've be suited to a family who would have someone home all day, but now he's with you, it would be a shame to give him up, send him back to rescue waiting for another home.

Your only options are to employ the help of a dog walker/sitter or do you have a neighbour or friend who could spend some time with your dog in the day. A dog left all day is not good and the more he's left on his own and getting stressed, he's going to get worse stories like this make me so sad.

Alternatively you could post your question on this forum:

https://www.dogpages.org.uk

they have loads of friendly members who would be able to offer some good advice.

I hope you can sort something out and not give him up

Just to add. A dog flap would help especially with the colder weather approaching and leaving a radio on so your dog has some comfort with background noise. I do this and find a talk-show radio station is good choice. However this isnt the answer as your working hours are the problem

please dont start using anti-bark collars.

JennyW_2

the point being we are out all day, so need to leave him outside so he can do his business etc.

i'm sorry, but this is why your dog is barking - he's lonely and is craving some companionship. Alternatively get another dog, a lot of people do this. Also he's 9, it wouldn't be fair to leave him out all day in the winter when it's cold and wet

i've just read your original thread again and basically it comes down to the fact that your situation is not suitable for this dog. It's unfair to leave him all day, expecting the neighbour to let him out for a wee for 5 minutes. I'm sorry, but I'm annoyed the home allowed you to take the dog considering you both work all day.

ariba10

I am sorry but if he is nine years old I think there is little hope of changing him.

We have always kept dogs but I would never get one from a resce centre.

I admire what they try to do but in my experience they are dogs on the most part that have been bought by people on a whim, ruined as regards behavior and abandoned.

There are some exeptions but not many.

JennyW_2

ariba10 wrote:

We have always kept dogs but I would never get one from a resce centre.

why would you never home from a rescue centre? I have two dogs, both from homes and are the most beautiful, loving and obedient dogs you could ever hope to own.

I admire what they try to do but in my experience they are dogs on the most part that have been bought by people on a whim, ruined as regards behavior and abandoned.

and if the OP gives up on this dog, it's yet another return to the rescue home causing more problems and confusion.

where_is_my_mind

I agree with JennyW, both of my dogs have been rescued and they wonderful. My current dog sounds similar to village_life's.
He was only young when we got him but also got very distressed when left alone (it's worth noting that the constant barking is a sign a distress!) He still does not like to be left for long times but seems ok for 4 hours perhaps with his cats.
The collar you mentioned are at best only stopping the barking but your dog will still be upset and bored. At the very least you will need to get dogwalker for long afternoon walk but it does not appear the dog suits your lifestyle. Some dogs are ok on their own some hate it. At the end of the day you need to do what's best for the dog (falling in love with dog is just not enough.)

Good luck,

wigginsmum

My mother has an old dog like this - she's found that drawing the curtains and leaving the radio on has helped.

WeirdoMagnet

Well done for rehoming a rescue dog - I've got one too, and wouldn't be without her.

It sounds like your dog has Seperation Anxiety. I'm not an expert, but you need to teach your dog that you will come back, and to do that you need build up to leaving him for any length of time. You need to start of with a minute, and gradually increase the time.

Please do not use an electric shock collar in a bid to try to cure him. These collars emit a shock when the dog barks. Your dog will be barking because he is scared of being alone. The collar won't help him with his anxiety, and will probably make him even worse.

Have you contacted the rescue you got him from? They may well have a behaviourist who would be able to help you.

In all honesty, and I'm sorry to be blunt, but as you both work full time and won't be able to be around to help the dog with his SA, you may be better off returning him to the rescue.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Georgina

village_life

i appreciate all the comments and the berating for taking a dog - however we had hoped that a dog being loved and looked after by us two is better than a dog left alone in a recue centre pen all day

despite us work during the day, we still lavish attention on him in the evening and enjoy the time we can spend together - and hoped that the dog would appreciate living with us rather than in an anonymous rescue centre.