My landlord wants me to get rid of my dog...

[bananas123]

When my family and I first moved into our apartment, the landlord wouldn't let us keep our dog unless we paid an extra $250 a month. So, I agreed to pay the extra $250. However, my neighbors have started to complain about my dog barking. Whenever my dog hears the doorbell, he starts barking and he doesn't stop for at least 5 minutes. It's the same thing everytime we have company. And he also barks nonstop when he sees my Dad. The landlord told me if I can't teach him to be quiet, I have to get rid of him. I would take my dog to some classes, but I don't think that's within my budget right now. Does anyone know how to make my dog stop barking at the doorbell and my dad? I'm desperate!! I can't give away my dog, it would be too painful!

[zoe08]

I have never used one, but how about trying a bark collar?

[MrsRottie]

You could try a water pistol - conceal it in your hand - when the doorbell goes and your dog starts to bark, give him a squirt. Be careful not to let him see where the squirt is coming from. Totally ignore him while he's still quiet, and praise like mad telling him what a good quiet boy he is when he's not barking.
Couple this with removing him from the room when he barks at your Dad. When he's calm outside, bring him in again (keep him on the leash for this), as soon as he starts barking, take him out again. You and your Dad may have to continue doing this for some time, but don't give up, he will get the message that if he barks he won't have interaction with your Dad.
Lots of vocal commands while your doing all this - good strong NO and lots of praise and treats for good behaviour. Try and teach him keywords such as Quiet.

Hope this helps, let us know how you get on!

[Taeric]

Building off the last post, when we took our puppy classes, the instructor had a spray bottle of water mixed with a little bit of vinegar. The one pup was a real yapper, and a squirt or two from the bottle directly in her mouth along with a stern "no" shut it right up each and every time.

[dlambertz]

we had a hunting dog that used to bark and my husband used the water trick on her. it only stopped it when we were home and she was still a nuisance barker when we were not. we bought a bark collar for her. it worked and after a while we would just have to put it on her without turning it on. i would not waste my time or money on an inexpensive one...borrowed one from my neighbor and you could not control the strength of the shock.

[bananas123]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm definitely gonna try the water pistol. If that doesn't work, I'll go to the bark collar. Just a quick question...are bark collars painful for dogs?

[MrsRottie]

I'm not sure that they would 'hurt' so to speak, but it can't be pleasant - have you ever got a shock off the car as you touched it, or a chair or something? It happens to me a lot, and I don't like it :mad: . Personally I wouldn't use one on a dog, but then I haven't got a grumpy landlord telling me to sort the barking either!
Good Luck :)

[dlambertz]

I'm not sure that they would 'hurt' so to speak, but it can't be pleasant - have you ever got a shock off the car as you touched it, or a chair or something? It happens to me a lot, and I don't like it :mad: . Personally I wouldn't use one on a dog, but then I haven't got a grumpy landlord telling me to sort the barking either!
Good Luck :)

i agree it would have to be a last resort.... even if it doesn't hurt i am sure it must be very uncomfortable. the girls i have now are not agressive barkers for which i am very thankful :)

[Zoes_mama]

Omg...Zoe's nickname is Barky McGee cause she barks ALL the time. But that's a trait of eskimos. But we've tried the water trick on her, though we're not consistant enough for it to work all the time. She hates it but when she's determined to bark, nothings going to stop her. usually when she gets like that I put her into a down position and hold her head firmly on the ground until she calms down. Works like a charm :P Some ppl use drastic measures like debarking their dog. I see that as animal cruelty though. I don't even condone the bark collar.

[Becky]

If you get a bark collar, I would get a citronella one; no pain there. I would try training first. Being corrected for barking at visitors *may* be confused with being corrected because there are visitors.

A lot of people train "speak" and quiet together because the dog learns that "quiet" is a good thing.

[Kali's Mommy]

When my family and I first moved into our apartment, the landlord wouldn't let us keep our dog unless we paid an extra $250 a month. So, I agreed to pay the extra $250. However, my neighbors have started to complain about my dog barking. Whenever my dog hears the doorbell, he starts barking and he doesn't stop for at least 5 minutes. It's the same thing everytime we have company. And he also barks nonstop when he sees my Dad. The landlord told me if I can't teach him to be quiet, I have to get rid of him. I would take my dog to some classes, but I don't think that's within my budget right now. Does anyone know how to make my dog stop barking at the doorbell and my dad? I'm desperate!! I can't give away my dog, it would be too painful!

Hurry Up Call Uncle Matty!!!!!:thumbsupsmileyanim:

[AnimalHouse]

Hmm, I personally Dont agree with the bark collers, But if it is a Last resort,then, Ok.. But we had a radio station here that did a stunt, and put one on one of the DJs neck,and let someone zap them and what not, and he freaked out, he said it was sooo painful, he said he is not sure why people use them, it is like ALOT Of volts being sent through the dog.. And that it is like sticking ure finger in a socket, or shocking ureself with a electric wire that isnt covered or something... BUT.. i would try this.. If he barks, Put him in a sit, and when he is quiet give a treat, when ure dad comes, have ure dad walk away and ignore the dog, u put him in a sit, and make him quite, when he is quiet give a treat. But give it as soon as he is quiet.. And as time pergresses slowly make the time u make him quiet longer and longer.. try this with the bell as well.. have someone come over and help u... have them sit outside and ring the bell.. lol And work with him that way.. Maybe do it when ure neighbors arent home ;) haha Hope this helps.

[skunkstripe]

I don't think you can compare dog's reaction to a human's. After all they have fur, and we have skin with moisture on itso it will conduct electricity much better. Also they have a much higher tolerance for pain. When we play "soccer" with Zircon, he will sometimes stick his head right where we are kicking the ball. Honestly, I have kicked him in the head a couple of times and felt awful. I would have been lying on the ground, but he acted like he didn't even feel anything!

[Zoes_mama]

Lol, I know what you mean. Zoe is constantly bashing her head on a table, desk, or running into a wall (when she skids across the wood floors). She always seems like she doesn't even notice. So I do believe they have a higher pain tolerance.