Dog Barks When Left Alone - Pets and Animals Article

By:Adam Katz

Please let me know if you have any suggestions to help curb a barking problem when we are not home. Our 2 year-old Shepherd/Chow mix rarely barks when we are home, but when we leave her in her nice pen outdoors when we are gone she yips and barks. We have tried stuffed animals and kong toy with food inside. Do we need to get a bark collar? Any other suggestions or info on the collars would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Beth Nordstrom

Dear Beth:

First, I would try to figure out what is causing the dog to bark. It may be nothing more than nuisance barking. In which case, a bark collar would work best.

But I'd first rule out all other factors, such as:

- A neighbor's kid who may be taunting your dog.

- Lack of exercise/stimulation.

- Throwing a toy outside of the pen and then barking in an attempt to "make it come back"

- Any number of other factors that could be eliminated before dropping $100 on a bark collar.

I don't know what type of exercise regimen you've got your dog on now, but it probably wouldn't hurt to buy a bicycle and start taking your dog for long runs. (It's good for you, too!)

As for which bark collars to use... the ones that I've had the most success with are the Tri-Tronics Bark Limiter. I've tried the cheap yellow ones they sell at the pet stores and have found them to be poorly engineered, consistently over or under-correcting your dog, and resetting themselves too quickly.

The citronella collars are largely a joke. The get clogged and jam frequently. The citronella runs out. Plus, I'm not crazy about spraying the stuff in your dog's eyes.

That's all for now, folks!

Adam

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: dogs, dog training, pets, animals

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com

Top Pets and Animals Articles
1). Winter Dog Agility Training By : Brad Carlson Yes, its cold outside, but don't stop your dog's agility training. Depending on where you live, there might be snow on the ground from November through March, but thats no reason to give up your agility training. Bring your training indoors, right at your own home. Get creative with your training locations. Do you have a hallway, basement, or garage? Then you have a place to train! Before it snows and your equipment is frozen to the ground, store some in your garage, shed, basement, or put a tarp over it.
2). How to Choose Goldfish By : Nate Jamieson How you choose your goldfish, depends largely on two things: the type of fish you really like to see, and the kind of container you intend to keep
3). 5 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Dog By : Paul Duxbury Think beyond the norm when it comes to feeding your dog and you will have a happy and healthy dog!
4). Pet Safety By : Lee Dobbins Your home might be "kid-proof" but how does it measure up when it comes to safety for your pet? Do you know all the hazards your pet is exposed to? Ho
5). The Long, Low Basset Hound By : Charles Kassotis The Basset Hound�s most noticeable features include the long ears, drooping forehead and short legs. These dogs are excellent at smelling, partly due to their noses but also because of their ears. It was originally bred as a hunter, but has risen in popularity as a family pet and canine pal, as the epitome of the loyal friend.
6). How To Stop A Dog From Chewing By : Terence Young Most normal dogs will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this behavior, you can regulate it and influence the dog�s behavior.
7). Things to think about before buying a Dog By : Paul Duxbury There is a lot to consider when bringing a Dog into your family and home. Here are a few thoughts on areas that you need to consider.
8). Train Your Buddy To �Walk� & �Dance� - Warning: Not All Dogs By : Moses Chia Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that put an abnormal strain upon the muscles of the back and hind legs and most dogs require consider
9). Three Thinghs to Keep in Mind when You Buy Parrot Toys By : Ispas Marin Three Thinghs to Keep in Mind when You Buy Parrot Toys
10). Dalmatians � Great Dogs, Even in Numbers Less than 101 By : Charles Kassotis It was the movie that made Dalmatians an instant success as companion dogs and family pets. Treated well and properly trained, Dalmatians can be every bit the wonderful companion depicted on the big screen.

New Pets and Animals Articles
1). Pet Store - A Place That Every Child Needs To Visit To Gain Love For Animals By : Brooke Hayles Pet stores are wonderful places for children to visit to gain a love of animals. While you may not be able to actually touch the animals online, the variety of supplies is usually greater than the local store.
2). Your Cat Goes Missing By : Kadence Buchanan According to the most recent Synovate pet survey (Sept. 2005), conducted in nine markets across the globe, the UK and the US were shown to be the two absolute leaders in pet ownership.
3). How To Know If Your Cat Has Feline Diabetes And How To Treat It By : Gregg Hall Just like all pets, cats need to be watched for signs of illness, such as feline diabetes. This disease is just as dangerous for cats as it is for humans and if left untreated, could become deadly.
4). Some Tips To Help You Recognize Common Cat Ailments By : Gregg Hall Many potential health issues can be avoided by keeping them up to date on their vaccinations. There are still health problems that need to be watched for, even if you take your cat for its annual physical and shots.
5). Is The German Shepherd The Perfect Dog For You? By : Lee Dobbins If you want a dog that is fearless, smart and hard-working than the German Shepherd may be for you!
6). Which Dog Breeds Are More Likely To Kill People By : Mitch Endick Some dog breeds are more likely to kill than others and some breeds are more protective of their masters and physical surrounding than others. This is the results of a twenty year study.
7). Tips To A Well Behaved Dog By : Terence Young Having a well behaved dog can really mean the difference between a pleasant experience and a downright horror pet story.
8). How To Simplfiy House Cleaning With Pets By : Melody Thacker Keeping your house clean with a pet or two in the family can be a challenge. Taking a bit of time to train your pet, some advanced planning and preventative measures will make keeping your house clean with pets much easier and less time consuming.
9). Nebelung Cats, a Substitute for the Russian Blue By : Iro Ignatiadi Not the kind of cat you would want to have with small children, the Nebelung is a great companion that loves lying in you lap and being petted.
10). Caring For Your Pet Parrot By : Lee Dobbins Parrots make great pets but they do need some specialized care. Read this article and find out if you are ready for a pet parrot.

� 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy