Maybe the OP just wants to sell something - a lot of posts appearing...
Point taken. I tried to read the Thread through and I thought it was just me that couldn't quite sort out who or what was barking madly and who or what was barking mad. I still don't know.
Fixed it for you, so it rhymes better
Doc.
Oops, sorry, yes that was indeed the thread I meant - excellent mind reading skills, Longbyt!
It really is important to first determine why your dog is barking, because the solution or training approach needs to be directed to the root cause. Treating SA will do nothing if the problem is really that the dog is barking because the neighbor's cat is sitting on the windowsill flipping him the bird. Do keep a barking diary - you may find that your suspicions are confirmed, but you also may find some surprises.
I recommend "Barking, The Sound Of A Language' by Turid Rugaas - an excellent guide to understanding why your dog is barking. A short book, easy to read, and a must-have for all owners of barky dogs.
If your dog is barking because of external stimuli, restrict access - close curtains or blinds, keep the dog in another room, try to mask external noise by keeping a radio on, etc. If the external stimuli is something regular (neighborhood kids coming home from school, say), try to arrange your schedule so that you are home at that time.
If your dog is barking because of SA, be aware that barking is only a symptom - you need to treat the root cause of the anxiety. Again, refer to the thread above, as well as:
Anyone free to dog sit this MOnday
(A good little booklet is 'I'll Be home Soon' by Patricia B McConnell. Also recommended: 'Stress In Dogs' by Clarissa von Reinhart and Martina Scholz
If your dog is barking because of boredom, you need to train the dog to settle on his own. Start slowly, for short periods, as in SA training. A stuffed kong is a very good way to keep a dog occupied as he learns to settle (time out), as are activity boxes or toys. Before leaving the dogs alone with a kong or toy, however, make sure that he is safe to do so, that his play style means he is unlikely to hurt himself with the object. As he learns to settle, gradually increase the length of time. Do this while you are in the house, but ignoring or not interacting with him, and then when successful, try this when you leave for a short time.
With either SA or settling training, when you leave just sit outside the door where the dog can't see or hear you. This is the only way that you'll know if he barks, or not. I finally finished 'War and Peace' sitting on the doorstep reading while training one of my guys. (Yes, it can take that long...)
If your dog is barking as a tension release (not SA), try to redirect that tension. I have trained several of mine to pick up a fluffy or squeaky toy when they feel the tension that normally would result in barking. Squeaking or chewing a toy gives them the same release - but keeps the noise down. I use clicker training to teach this, or you can simply offer a toy every time the dog starts to bark. You also might explore other tension reduction strategies - increased exercise, calmer routines at home, maybe even a bit of canine massage or body wrap. (TTouch).
If the dog is barking because of attention seeking, experts generally recommend ignoring the dog, as any interaction - even an attempt to quiet him - is attention and thus a reinforcement. This is very difficult to do in Switzerland, where you must stop the barking ASAP - I have struggled with this with one of mine. If this is the case, try working with your dog away from home - say on a walk. At random times, stop the walk, sit down and start reading a book. If your dog barks for your attention, ignore him. Then praise or reward when he is quiet. I had to go to the extreme of taking one of mine up for a stay in the mountains to work with him... but we got there, eventually.
If the downstairs neighbors have a dog there is an added layer - the two dogs could well set one another off. Do the two dogs get along? If so, how about you and the downstairs neighbor exchanging dog-sitting services? Having a playmate certainly lessens the boredom barking - and one of you would be there to manage the barking. Might be worth exploring.
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So, knowing that the repairman's visit was likely to elicit a round of barking, I had everything prepared to keep the noise to a minimum. The dogs had an extra long walk this morning, spoke with the (nice) neighbor to warn him, I had taped a note to the door asking the repairman to call me rather than ring the bell, Kongs were filled and at the ready, everyone was sent to their settle spots behind the babygates...
... and the #&*%$# never showed.
Now we have to do it all again next week.
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I really hope you can crack this one. Best of luck to you and your doglet.
Hi,
I fullly sympathise with your predicament. If it helps I have a free dog crate here that you could have if its any use,rather than going out to buy one? How big is your dog?
Could you leave the radio on or the tv on low when you go out,that sometimes helps,as long as its not too loud too aggravate the situation with the neighbours. I have crappy neighbours myself so I know where you are coming from. They put in two complaints about noise from my kids after we had been living here for two weeks,they had also complained about my cat miaowing on the balcony and stated my wind chimes were too loud Some people just don't have anything better to do.
I would suggest some kind of training for pooch,but you seem to be chasing that up anyway. I am sad to say that the last resort might be moving elsewhere,but that is really the last resort. I do hope you get it sorted.
If you want the crate pm me and we can get it sorted.I don't drive sadly but we will get it to you somehow.
Darcy