Question:

I have this puppy that just won’t stop barking. My neighbors are ready to shot me and I don’t no what to do. I have tried a spray bottle and a can with pennies in it and don’t seem to work. The worst thing is that he barks all day while I’m at work and that is the thing that is making the neighbors the most mad. But what can I do if I am not even around to stop him? I’d hate to get rid of him. He’s just so great if he would shut up.

ANSWER:

Barking is usually attributed to boredom as long as there are no signs of separation anxiety when the owner leaves for work.

My first suggestion is to exercise the heck out of him before you head to work. A long walk or run with some ball throwing and an obedience session mixed in to work his brain will get rid of much of the pent up energy. After work I would try to do the same thing – tired dogs are happy dogs.

To manage the boredom, leave him with some things to do. Instead of feeding him his breakfast in his dish as usual, buy a kibble ball. These balls slowly dispense kibble as are pushed around the floor. You will have to work with him to begin with to make sure he understands how it works but most dogs figure it out quickly. I would barricade him in the kitchen when I left so that he cannot push it somewhere where he could hurt himself or the house and furniture. That will keep him busy for the first hour or so and distract him from the fact you left him alone.

A Kong stuffed with peanut butter is another long lasting treat to keep him busy.

I do not recommend leaving dogs with stuffed toys as boredom usually leads to a tearing and shredding session that is a mess to clean up when you get home. However, there are many other types of toys to keep him busy.

Try leaving a radio on for him when you leave. Often the sound will keep a barky dog quiet with the added benefit of muffling his barking a bit from the neighbors.

If none of this works, there are bark collars that spray citronella when the dog barks. These are humane and work well without traumatizing your dog in any way. They cost around $120 and can be purchased at any pet store although in more rural areas, they may need to be ordered in.

If none of that works, look into doggy day care in your area. This is a great way for your dog to be exercised and socialized with other dogs while you are at work. Most dogs love it and when they get home after a hard day of play, are calm and content members of the family.