Help! My dog barks constantly when he is left alone

CompBunny

Some great answers so far, thankyou I have tried the leaving the house thing, but he seems to know i'm outside even if I wait a few doors down! Maybe i need to drive the car around the block?

Thanks for the DAP thing, I'd heard of Feliway for cats but didn't know there was one for dogs!

I think the barking may also be a territorial thing - when I am here, he barks and I have to indicate to him verbally and by holding his collar that I am taking over the situation (eg "I'm the guard dog, not you!").

He is not neutered, and I think in a younger dog this would really help, but at 5 years old is he too set in his ways?

Flibertigibit

I don't think 5 is too old at all. This barking is a habit, but all habits can be broken with time, effort and patience. It's possible that this is why his original family didn't want him any more, rather than they "didn't have time". What I would suggest, if you can afford it, is to enlist the help of an animal behaviourist because they should be able to identify what exactly is going on. Someone I know consulted one over various OCD issues her dog had and he only came once, observed the dog with the family and gave them advice, which he backed up later in written form so they wouldn't forget. She found it very helpful. Don't take him to obedience classes just for this - they'll teach him to walk to heel etc but this is about his psychology, not his behaviour. Another thing is to buy "Why Does My Dog...? by John Fisher - best book about life through a dog's eyes that I've ever read.

sleepystar1975

CompBunny wrote: »

Thanks for the DAP thing, I'd heard of Feliway for cats but didn't know there was one for dogs!

I use DAP for our old dog as he's terrified of Fireworks, and of thunder. His fear of thunder is so bad now, that he would fall apart at the first drop of rain. He is now laying here (the DAP is in the living room) snoring and farting his head off, and it's tipping buckets outside, it's so loud that it's making a racket on the conservatory roof.
I'm not saying it works for every dog, and for all cases, but it's certainly made a big change in this old fella!

Sooz00

Hi CompBunny,

I had this problem recently with a 4 yr old collie cross and can now leave her without problems. Similarly to collies, terriers were intended as working dogs and can have busy brains so can keep themselves occupied doing things we'd rather they didn't. How much exercise and other activity does your boy get?

I exercise collie cross for at least an hour (mainly off lead) before I leave the house for any length of time and she now sleeps when I am gone. I also take her to agility classes, have set some equipment up in the garden and make sure that walks are interesting with a mix of on-lead, off-lead, play and training. She just has a busy brain and it needs exercising just as much as her body and a long as both are exercised, she doesn't find a way to keep herself busy (i.e. barking when left). I always use a command before I go and I can also now nip to the shop quickly without any problems as well (without the hour's exercise first) as she's secure enough to know I'll be back.

Good luck with your boy! x

CompBunny

Thankyou for all your responses

Due to health problems I can't manage one big walk a day - he gets about 3-4 lots of 15-20minute walks. Mentally stimulating him is tough - he won't chase a ball, play with a tug toy with me for longer than 30 seconds, training him is a work in progress as his concentration disappears after about 2 mins at a time, he will only play with his kong to get at the easiest bits and then abandons eat, he won't chew a bone or rawhide chew, he isn't very food motivated (even turning down a piece of chicken breast usually!), he will have a little bit of gentle rough and tumble for about 10 seconds and then just wants to cuddle... I feel like I just don't understand him enough.

His absolute favourite thing in the world is to be cuddled up with me or being brushed. He is only really enthusiastic when his lead comes out for a walk, when he barks at the postman, and when he gets invited up on the sofa for some cuddle time. He see's my partner as a threat to his relationship with me.

Unfortunately, theres no way I can afford a behvioural therapist at the moment.

Am I just a rubbish dog owner?

Flibertigibit

If you can't afford a behaviourist at the moment, please buy the John Fisher book I mention above - it really helps you understand your dog's world through his eyes and what motivates him! It's only £5.99 from Amazon, incluidng P & P. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=john+fisher&x=12&y=15

CompBunny

Flibertigibit wrote: »

If you can't afford a behaviourist at the moment, please buy the John Fisher book I mention above - it really helps you understand your dog's world through his eyes and what motivates him! It's only £5.99 from Amazon, incluidng P & P. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=john+fisher&x=12&y=15

Thankyou, I have it on order ! :j :beer:

Sooz00

Hi Compbunny - how are you getting on with your boy?