Dog barking constantly- what might help?

[witchmountain]

My downstairs neighbour acquired a dog a few weeks ago. When he goes out it barks continuously until he comes back (it’s inside, there’s no direct access to a garden). It’s not reacting to passers by, it presumably just hates being left.

It’s really loud and makes it impossible to concentrate on anything. I knocked on the door the other day when he got back and let him know that’s its constant and really disturbing. He said the dog is a rescue and isn’t used to being left yet but he can’t always take it with him (it had been left for about an hour on that occasion.) I asked (nicely!) what he was doing to help it and got an unconvincingly vague answer about getting advice from a behaviour expert.

On Saturday night it barked for a couple of hours. I’ve been home an hour tonight and it has been barking the entire time. So it’s not like he leaves it all day but it’s not something I want to live with.

We’re on good terms otherwise and I’d like it work out for him. Has anyone got any advice I could pass onto him that might help? I don’t know anything about dogs but I’m hoping this is something that has the potential to change?

[Wolfiefan]

Not if he keeps leaving it. Separation anxiety is a really hard thing to change. A good behaviourist will tell him not to leave it until it is happier and more confident. At all.
It’s a noise nuisance.

[witchmountain]

Thanks. So it won’t just get used to the fact that he does always come back? Unless he waits until it’s more settled and tries again?

It is indeed a noise nuisance! It’s that kind of barking that’s bordering on howling, where all the barks are joined together. It’s impossible to ignore!

[Wolfiefan]

If the dog has proper separation anxiety it’ll only get worse I’m afraid. If it’s just settling in I don’t understand why he’s leaving it.

[witchmountain]

When I spoke to him he said it was because he’d had to get something done and couldn’t take it with him - I get that might happen sometimes and it during the day so conceivably he could have had an appointment which he couldn’t take a dog to. I’m less convinced that’s the case in the evening though!

[witchmountain]

I will complain if it keeps going (he’s a council tenant and it’s a breach of tenancy) but it would just be nice if he could get it settled. There are two other dogs in the building and you never hear them!

[Lynne1Cat]

The poor thing. He could try leaving a radio/tv on, or perhaps a recording of his voice? Also, one of those Kong toys which can be filled with food/treats in order to keep the dog occupied. A teddy/jumper/something comforting in the dog's bed. A ticking clock?

[witchmountain]

Thanks, I wondered about the TV or radio, I think that helped a friend’s dog.

I don’t think it lies down. I can hear it barking in different places as it moves around. Although thankfully he’s back so it’s blessedly quiet for now.

All further suggestions gratefully received! I’d much rather we managed a win-win-win situation where the dog is happy, he’s happy and I’m happy!

[Wolfiefan]

If it’s separation anxiety he can’t leave it.
If it isn’t then a covered crate (if it’s crate trained which I doubt) can help. Adaptil collar or spray is calming. Radio on. Something that smells of the owner. Curtains shut so it isn’t disturbed by things from outside. Thunder shirt. Or of course a lovely neighbour could offer to dog sit.

[witchmountain]

The lovely neighbour actually wants to spend some time in her own home with her cat

[Wolfiefan]

Haha. I have cats and a dog too. When we brought her home (puppy not rescue) she couldn’t be left alone for weeks. Now fine. Hope it quietens down soon. Barking dogs are a nuisance.