Desperate about barking

A

astronut

Forums Novice
Hi everyone. Let me introduce my situation. I have a 1 year old blue merle sheltie named Largo. We got him when he was 8 weeks old. We first reserved him at the breeders when he was 4 weeks old. Then one week later we found out I was pregnant. We decided to go ahead with getting him because at that point we already felt attached. I grew up with a sheltie and I knew that they're great with kids, so I figured it would work out.

Up until he was about 10 months old things were great. He was easy to train and an absolute pleasure to have around. He's really a sweet little doggy and I loved him. I work all day, pretty much 9-5. But on some occasions, I work from home, so I knew that during the day he was behaving very well. He basically just slept during the day.

Then, 2 months ago, I started my maternity and started staying home all day. This is when the barking started. It wasn't anything crazy. About the same level of barking as my previous sheltie. Once the baby was born though, it escalated to a whole other level. This just doesn't seem like normal sheltie barking to me. It's like he's lost his mind. He barks NON STOP. He barks at the door all day, irregardless of whether or not something is there. He barks at me constantly. He barks at the wall.

I feel like I'm going to loose it. We had a trainer come and assess what is making him behave like this. She said he's bored. So we've tried entertaining him all day. It had absolutely no effect. Not that we can reasonably keep that up, I have a newborn here! I walk him twice a day, for a total of over an hour and always make sure he gets off leash time to play with other dogs. I've tried the can with pennies, nothing. I've tried treats, clickers, nothing. Keeping him busy with stuffed kongs and bones, he just barks while chewing them. Interactive toys, he barks while doing them.

I just don't know what to do. It's giving me so much anxiety. I actually leave the house with the baby and spend as much of my day as possible in a cafe just to get away from him! Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. I used to love this dog so much. Now the sight of him makes me panik. He's even scaring me. He looks at me and barks and growls. I don't know if it's because of the baby. If it is, I can't do anything. The baby is here to stay.

Does anyone have any advice? My next attempt was going to be a citronella collar, but I've read that they're not too effective with shelties. After that, the next thing to consider is debarking ... or maybe this dog just needs to be rehomed? Just writing that makes me feel like I failed. :(
 
Regarding bark softening, that might be an option worth looking into, if you've tried everything else. There are other threads on the forums that go into detail about the pros/cons, checking vets (you need one who is experienced with the procedure, and many are not), etc. It is not de-barking - the dog can still bark - but the volume is much reduced and the tone is different. Many of the breeders here can give you a better idea of what is involved.

If it were my dog, I would opt for bark softening before re-homing. I would exhaust all other training options first. I don't consider it an inhumane procedure, especially if it would allow my dog to remain with my family.

I would hope it goes without saying that you make sure to have a vet thoroughly check him over. Explain the situation and ask the vet to investigate any medical issue(s) that may be contributing to the problem behaviors.

And you're not a failure for writing your post! If anything, it's the opposite. You are trying to do the best thing for your dog, and are searching all avenues to do so.
 
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I would also opt for bark softening over rehoming. Much much less emotional stress for you and the dog.

It sounds like your dog is definitely frustrated and/or confused. Does your dog have a job? Shelties are smart dogs that do well when they have a job to do. A lot of the options you are training seem like they would just make your pup more frustrated.

My dogs are much happier when they are doing agility. It is one of those dog sports/activities that provides a healthy outlet for the dog, and they absolutely love it. Maybe that is something you can look into as well. It worked miracles for our rescue. Made her a confident happy little dog.

Your dog is also in it's "teenage years." Your dogs teenage years just happened to coincide with your having a new baby and all the hormones and sleep deprivety that comes along with it. I definitely also suggest doing a search on this forum for threads about "teenagers." Our pups going through growing stages just as people do...except parents deal with it, they don't just rehome their teenage kids, lol.

Good luck and welcome to the Sheltie Nation Forum.
 
Also should ask if you dog is neutered. If not, get it done. Not that it will solve all your problems, but it might help and should be done anyway.
 
I second Dani's suggestion that your dog needs a job. Shelties do get bored without one, and when they do, they get into trouble...chewing, barking etc. Perhaps some more focused activity, even if it's just in your yard, would help your pup. I know that it isn't always possible with a new baby to leave the house once or twice a week for obedience or agility classes, although that would be the best way to start.

However, you could always pick up a book or video on Amazon with Agility basics, and do some basic work at home. Or you can teach him to catch a frisbee, or play fetch with a ball. Your dog needs more than walking...he needs something to challenge him mentally.

I agree that bark softening would help to some extent, but it's putting a bandaid on the symptom -- not solving the problem of why your dog is barking so much. Some focused activity might help in that area.

Good luck! I hope you'll share your progress with us here.
 
Maybe a Thundershirt would help-seems to have calmed some of the other agitated dogs on the forum. Could this be because Largo isn't used to the Baby yet ? Does he want to smell the baby or sit beside you while you are holding the baby. If Largo is motivated by food you could give him treats when he sits quietly beside you and the Babe. I think he could be going through a spooky age as others have mentioned and he just doesn't know how to handle it. Does he bark in his crate or will he settle down on his bed or his special spot ? You have a lot going on but you really sound like you want this to work out and Largo is at a very teachable age. I suggest some one on one time with Largo teaching him the speak command-google it and then he needs to settle, either on his mat/bed or in his crate- cover it if he is noisy and see if he will settle. He needs rewards /treats when he obeys. Maybe doggie day care for a few hours a week would give you a break. Good luck, you can do it !!!:yes:
 
I would also say the dog is somewhat distressed.

He is still a pup himself. One minute he is the centre of your world, then suddenly he isn't. What does he do to get your attention back - well the baby cries and gets your attention so he figures if he makes noises he may get your attention too. Your pup is also going through the confusing adolescence period so that's going to make it doubly difficult for him.

There's a few things you can do.
- Set aside some one-on-one time where your dog has your undivided attention. Even a short time playing will help him realise he has not been displaced. Include him in your activities with the baby when possible.
- Take both the dog and the baby out for a stroll. Even if you can only manage around the block or down the end of the street and back, it will be a great way to bond.
- When you are with the baby, if the pup is around and being quiet praise him, let him know that he doesn't have to make noise to get your attention and make him feel good when the baby is around so he associates with a good thing.
- Invest in some Kongs and give him a Kong to chew on when you are playing with the baby. Again this will help foster a positive relationship with the baby and teach him to be quiet.

It's a very big thing to get a puppy and then have a baby, and it can end up being disastrous. But managed well you can establish a bond between your dog and baby that will be magical. A couple of websites that may be helpful are
www.livingwithdogsandkids.com and familypaws.com.
 
Wow, thanks for all great tips everyone!

Yes, Largo is neutered. I let him sniff the baby, but I get pretty nervous about him licking him. I'm a bit of a germophobe. Consequently, I pet him less because I don't want to touch the baby after petting Largo without washing my hands (which I can't always do).

I didn't know the thudershirt could have so many uses, I thought it was only for separation anxiety! I'll take that into consideration. I also had a look at the websites Caro posted. I had no idea about some of the stress signals. Very useful. From what I read on family paws it and your comments, I think there's a good chance that his problem is the changed home dynamic due to the new baby.

We live in a small apartment right now and we don't have a car. Unfortunately, all the agility and obedience courses in my area are far, so I have no way to get there. But, in the summer we're going to be moving to a place that has a backyard. So, once we're there I want to start trying to do agility work in the backyard with him. Do you guys have any other suggestions for a "job" I can give him in the meantime (something to do in the house)?

I've already read up on teaching him to bark on command. The thing is I've been to scared to try it, LOL. I'm scared of the barking fiasco I might unleash! I will give it a try though, and post on the progress we make.

No one mentioned anything about the citronella collar. Any experience with that? I know it's also a "band aid" solution. But, for future reference, I'd like to know if there is any use in it.

Oh, and about the dreaded teenage years. How long does it last? Have any of you seen behaviours like this develop during adolescence, and then improve with age?

I really hope we can work through this. If he really is acting out because he's getting less attention, then this whole situation creates a vicious circle. He barks uncontrollably and I loose my temper and get mad. Which doesn't improve our relationship. Sigh.
 
Kids and pets

astronut said:
Wow, thanks for all great tips everyone!

Yes, Largo is neutered. I let him sniff the baby, but I get pretty nervous about him licking him. I'm a bit of a germophobe. Consequently, I pet him less because I don't want to touch the baby after petting Largo without washing my hands (which I can't always do).
Click to expand...

There has been significant research into the effects of exposure to dogs and cats in infants and children and their subsequent risks of allergic sensitization to environmental allergens, and asthma. There is a very strong correlation between early exposure to dogs and cats in the first year(s) of life and the reduced risk of allergies/asthma later on. Other studies have shown a correlation between increased risk of allergies/asthma in people who have never lived with pets.

A few articles:

Exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12190366

Cats and dogs and the risk of atopy in childhood and adulthood.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19703709

Effect of prenatal indoor pet exposure on the trajectory of total IgE levels in early childhood. (*results of this study suggest that prenatal exposure to pets reduces the total IgE levels in children - the antibodies associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21820714


Don't be afraid to let your child interact with Largo - supervised, of course. Largo needs the attention, as does your child, and you never know, the two of them may grow up together as good friends.
 
Definite co-relation with Baby being born, I think. because my sheltie also barked more when my neighbor got a new puppy. It just barked more, not Crazy a lot but more than before. and it did this wether it saw the puppy or not.

Solution I think is DE-BARKING. Your dog is young so should be very little complication and will do well.
 
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