Long - sorry! I have an 18-month boxer who sometimes barks non-stop. I've received two notices from Animal Control and if I get a third one, I'll be dragged to court in a lawsuit. My Roxy is a rescue and she's been through a lot, so some of the barking is probably fear-induced, when she can see the heads of my neighbors in the yard. we live in a townhome with yards all around, however the fences are only about 4-5 feet high, so anyone taller is visible. I also think Roxy barks when she's playing with my senior Rottie, or maybe chasing animals - things like that. she actually killed a RAT and brought it into the house thru the doggy door, so that probably caused LOTS of barking that day!
I purchased a citronella collar and had my sister ring my doorbell to praise Roxy when she stopped or was QUIET. By the third try, Roxy completely stopped barking, and I kept praising her. it was amazing. but she also tried to bolt out the door and run away, which she's never done since I've had her. then she ran out the back doggy door and curled up in a corner of the yard, under some ferns, and refused to come out. she knows the "come" command very well, but just ignored it. treats didn't work. I finally had to go under the ferns and gently pull her out. she never barked again that night, but I really was upset at how it changed her personality. so I thought I'd try something else.
I started taking Roxy to doggy day camp (expensive) and the workers there told me that she is capable of barking for an hour non-stop. then they told me that she jumped up and snapped at a worker's face, and warned me that would not be tolerated. so I started working on the jumping last week, using the great tips I found on this site. but last Thursday, Roxy came home with bites under her neck, and when I asked the doggy camp workers about it, they said Roxy is an instigator and gets into it with other dogs. so no more doggy day camp and back to the citronella collar.
Over the weekend, I put the collar on Roxy twice; both times, she's immediately stopped barking (without even getting sprayed, she already knows the collar will spray her) and gone into the depressed mode, going out into the yard, refusing to obey commands or to come inside.
Am I damaging my little girl too much here? Today I had to work, and put the collar on her this morning when she started barking, then took it off before I left for the day. I have no idea if she's barking all day or not . why does she react this way? should I leave the collar on while I'm at work and she's at home with just my other dog? my Rottie is old and tired, not the best playmate for a young boxer. lately, the Rottie has had her ears chewed up to the point where they're bleeding and I know it's Roxy doing it. I am SO over my head. Please HELP with any advice on what I should next do.
I purchased a citronella collar and had my sister ring my doorbell to praise Roxy when she stopped or was QUIET. By the third try, Roxy completely stopped barking, and I kept praising her. it was amazing. but she also tried to bolt out the door and run away, which she's never done since I've had her. then she ran out the back doggy door and curled up in a corner of the yard, under some ferns, and refused to come out. she knows the "come" command very well, but just ignored it. treats didn't work. I finally had to go under the ferns and gently pull her out. she never barked again that night, but I really was upset at how it changed her personality. so I thought I'd try something else.
I started taking Roxy to doggy day camp (expensive) and the workers there told me that she is capable of barking for an hour non-stop. then they told me that she jumped up and snapped at a worker's face, and warned me that would not be tolerated. so I started working on the jumping last week, using the great tips I found on this site. but last Thursday, Roxy came home with bites under her neck, and when I asked the doggy camp workers about it, they said Roxy is an instigator and gets into it with other dogs. so no more doggy day camp and back to the citronella collar.
Over the weekend, I put the collar on Roxy twice; both times, she's immediately stopped barking (without even getting sprayed, she already knows the collar will spray her) and gone into the depressed mode, going out into the yard, refusing to obey commands or to come inside.
Am I damaging my little girl too much here? Today I had to work, and put the collar on her this morning when she started barking, then took it off before I left for the day. I have no idea if she's barking all day or not . why does she react this way? should I leave the collar on while I'm at work and she's at home with just my other dog? my Rottie is old and tired, not the best playmate for a young boxer. lately, the Rottie has had her ears chewed up to the point where they're bleeding and I know it's Roxy doing it. I am SO over my head. Please HELP with any advice on what I should next do.
