randy

As I posted earlier, my neighborhood got a shock collar for their
russell terrier. It worked great for 3 months or so. THen I noticed him
barking again.

They must have tried replacing the batteries, or something, because I
noticed that they took the collar off for a couple of days. THen they
put it back on, but the dog is still barking.

Any advice on what might be wrong with the collar?

Doug Weller

On 4 Jun 2005 14:25:16 -0700, in uk.rec.pets.misc, randy wrote:

>As I posted earlier, my neighborhood got a shock collar for their
>russell terrier. It worked great for 3 months or so. THen I noticed him
>barking again.
>
>They must have tried replacing the batteries, or something, because I
>noticed that they took the collar off for a couple of days. THen they
>put it back on, but the dog is still barking.
>
>Any advice on what might be wrong with the collar?

The problem with the collar is that it punishes a dog with a painful for
doing something that it does naturally - especially terriers. They are a
real bad idea. A dog that doesn't bark at all has something wrong with
it.

Maybe whatever is driving the dog to bark is more important to the dog
than the shock. There are various reasons why dogs bark and a variety of
things that can be done about those reasons.

From the Seattle Humane Society:
Your dog may be barking because he's bored and lonely if:

He's left alone for long periods of time without opportunities for
interaction with you.

His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys.

He's a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn't have other
outlets for his energy.

He's a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting
breeds) who needs a "job" to be happy.

Recommendations:

Expand your dog's world and increase his "people time" in the following
ways:

Walk your dog daily - it's good exercise, both mental and physical.

Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often
as possible.

Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks and practice them every day
for five to ten minutes.

Take an obedience class with your dog.

Provide interesting toys to keep your dog busy when you're not home
(Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys). Rotating the toys
makes them seem new and interesting (see our handout: "Dog Toys and How to
Use Them").

If your dog is barking to get your attention, make sure he has sufficient
time with you on a daily basis (petting, grooming, playing, exercising) so
he doesn't have to resort to misbehaving to get your attention.

Keep your dog inside when you're unable to supervise him.

Let your neighbors know that you're actively working on the problem.

Take your dog to work with you every now and then, if possible.

When you have to leave your dog for extended periods of time, take him to
a "doggie day care" or have a friend or neighbor walk and/or play with
him.

Territorial/Protective Behavior

Your dog may be barking to guard his territory if:

The barking occurs in the presence of "intruders," which may include the
mail carrier, children walking to school and other dogs or neighbors in
adjacent yards.

Your dog's posture while he's barking appears threatening - tail held high
and ears up and forward.

You've encouraged your dog to be responsive to people and noises outside.

Recommendations:

Teach your dog a "quiet" command. When he begins to bark at a passer-by,
allow two or three barks, then say "quiet" and interrupt his barking by
shaking a can filled with pennies or squirting water at his mouth with a
spray bottle or squirt gun. This will cause him to stop barking
momentarily. While he's quiet, say "good quiet" and pop a tasty treat into
his mouth. Remember, the loud noise or squirt isn't meant to punish him,
rather it's to startle him into being quiet so you can reward him. If your
dog is frightened by the noise or squirt bottle, find an alternative
method of interrupting his barking (throw a toy or ball toward him).

Desensitize your dog to the stimulus that triggers the barking. Teach him
that the people he views as intruders are actually friends and that good
things happen to him when these people are around. Ask someone to walk by
your yard, starting far enough away so that your dog isn't barking, then
reward him for quiet behavior as he obeys a "sit" or "down" command. Use a
very special food reward such as little pieces of cheese or meat. As the
person gradually comes closer, continue to reward his quiet behavior. It
may take several sessions before the person can come close without your
dog barking. When the person can come very close without your dog barking,
have them feed him a treat or throw a toy for him.

If your dog barks while inside the house when you're home, call him to
you, have him obey a command, such as "sit" or "down," and reward him with
praise and a treat.

Don't inadvertently encourage this type of barking by enticing your dog to
bark at things he hears or sees outside.

Have your dog neutered (or spayed if your dog is a female) to decrease
territorial behavior.

Fears And Phobias

Your dog's barking may be a response to something he's afraid of if:

The barking occurs when he's exposed to loud noises, such as
thunderstorms, firecrackers, or construction equipment.

Your dog's posture indicates fear - ears back, tail held low.

Recommendations:

Identify what's frightening your dog and desensitize him to it (see our
handout: "Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Thunder and Other
Startling Noises"). You may need professional help with the
desensitization process. Check with your veterinarian about anti-anxiety
medication while you work on behavior modification.

Mute noise from outside by leaving your dog in a basement or windowless
bathroom and leave on a television, radio or loud fan. Block off your
dog's access to outdoor views that might be causing a fear response, by
closing curtains or doors to certain rooms.

Separation Anxiety

Your dog may be barking due to separation anxiety if:

The barking occurs only when you're gone and starts as soon as, or shortly
after, you leave.

Your dog displays other behaviors that reflect a strong attachment to you,
such as following you from room to room, frantic greetings or reacting
anxiously to your preparations to leave.

Your dog has recently experienced: a change in the family's schedule that
results in his being left alone more often; a move to a new house; the
death or loss of a family member or another family pet; or a period at an
animal shelter or boarding kennel.


Electric Shock Collar: We don't recommend an electric shock collar to
control your dog's barking. The electric shock is painful to your dog and
many dogs will choose to endure the pain and continue barking. The success
rate of this type of collar is less than 50%.

The main drawback of any bark collar is that it doesn't address the
underlying cause of the barking. You may be able to eliminate the barking,
but symptom substitution may occur and your dog may begin digging,
escaping, or become destructive or even aggressive. The use of a bark
collar must be in conjunction with behavior modification based on the
reason for the barking, as outlined above. You should never use a bark
collar on your dog if his barking is due to separation anxiety, fears or
phobias, because punishment always makes fear and anxiety behaviors worse.


--
Doug Weller -- exorcise the demon to reply
Doug & Helen's Dogs http://www.dougandhelen.com
A Director and Moderator of The Hall of Ma'at http://www.hallofmaat.com
Doug's Archaeology Site: http://www.ramtops.co.uk