To use a bark stop on my 8 month old dog

[Horsegirl1]

We live on a farm and any little noise she hears she barks. Even during the night a slight noise means she yaps. She sleeps with me as she is like my baby girl so I'm forever being woken up with a start because of her yapping on . She is a jackapoo and I don't want anything in humane to use . I want a gentle way to get this barking to stop. It really makes you jump when she starts as it's so random and loud. I have bought a bark stop but I'm. Unsure if it's working as it's in audible to humans. I just got it today and she has barked a few times but doesn't act like this bark stop is upsetting her ? Aibu to use this and has anyone any advice for gentle ways to stop her barking

[nooka]

I think you hit the report button above any of your posts and then you can ask Mumsnet to move the thread to the Doghouse. Might take a while though.

Don't those barking collars emit a sound that's painful to the dog? That certainly seems aversive/cruel to me. I'd never use a water pistol on a dog (except in a game if they enjoyed it) either as that's aversion too, and in general methods that cause pain/upset to your dog are likely a) not to work and b) to lead to further problems.

[Idefix]

Ndn have a very barky rescue dog (not sure if that is relevant) they are using aerosol cans of compressed air which emit a hissing noise. It seems to be doing the trick, not sure how useful/welcome it would be in the middle of the night though.

[MissBeaHaving]

Post in doghouse topic Op,lots of advice over there.

[corgiology]

Disregard all of the above! Seriously, water pistols, bark collars and spray cans are so last century!!

There are humane ways to train her to stop barking. She is barking because she is worried by something outside. Not for fun!

Easiest solution is whenever she barks at something reward her with a treat.

No. It won't reward the barking.

She is intently focused on that thing outside, she isn't thinking about the barking. It's not something she's thought about, it's a reaction. Like a sneeze.

So when you treat her she associates the treat with the noise. Thus her emotional state starts to change from fear to contentment. Eventually she will relax enough to stop barking after many many repetitions :)

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

Don't use a bark collar, it's cruel. It really is. There are other ways to help curb the barking which doesn't use negative reinforcement.

[Horsegirl1]

It IS NOT A BARK COLLAR. it's a free standing device that omits a sound dogs dislike but is not audible to human ears . It causes no physical harm or pain to dog. It just causes a sound they dislike .

[Horsegirl1]

Hungry hippo. I actually co.slept with my children until just recently and now she sleeps in a toddler bed attached to mine . I so breastfed till she was 18months . Sorry but your comment is irrelevant to me. I love co sleeping a.d ha e done it with all my children. For the record I'm not some yoghurt weaving hippy . I just followed my instincts when I became a mam

[Horsegirl1]

I also meant putting her downstairs now , totally out the blue will be cruel . she has spent all her life since I got her in my bedroom. I just mean it may cause her distress . I'm happy having her in my bedroom and so is she . It's not a collar . The bark stop is a sound device and causes no physical pain . It causes sound waves dogs dislike

[corgiology]

Doesn't matter what it is the point is it either won't work (very likely as it doesn't address the cause) or it works because the dog doesn't like it but is that the sort of relationship you want? Your dog to be uncomfortable in their home?
From the sounds of it you want the best for your dog. This isn't the answer :)

[corgiology]

I agree about moving her downstairs. That may well cause her stress and won't solve the barking either.

[Yonosemanana]

I have a rescue dog and as part of the rescue contract we agree not to use any kind of device to stop the dogs barking as they are restricting a dog's natural instinct and can be cruel. My dog is a barker - postman, fox, next door dog barking - but the night time barking will be her settling in. Sleeping downstairs should be phased, but she will be fine! We find a low voiced 'no' (high pitched she thinks we are barking too!) or a 'hiss' sound stops her. Hope you find a resolution soon but don't use a bark stop..

[Writerwannabe83]

How does this device that emits sounds that dogs don't like stop them from barking?

[ThePinkOcelot]

Victoria Stillwell doesn't advocate bark stops.

[NeedACleverNN]

Do not use a bark collar

It IS inhumane. Dogs ears are incredibly sensitive and it can really upset them.

Water can work but again it depends on the dog. Some would be very distressed by it

You are better off distracting and rewarding the behaviour you want to see. So when she's quiet, reward. Barking gets a sharp no and ignored

[hungryhippo90]

Actually OP, you'll find that my comment, and any of the others you choose to say aren't relevant, actually are.
You said in an earlier post that you felt cruel because she cried, so you let her sleep in your bed = easy option.

Dog now barks at everything, you want the easy option. Numerous posters have told you to see a dog behavioralist. Deal with the root problem here.

I know what the bark stop thing is you mentioned, they don't like the noise it emits. It still seems rather cruel to me.
It's like punishing the poor dog when she isn't being naughty. There's a reason she barks. Maybe you should try figuring that out...but of course. This will be irrelevant to you because I've suggested options that mean a bit of hard work.

[Horsegirl1]

This is why I'm asking as I want to know if me using this device (recommended to me by my vet ) will cause more harm than good. I want to do the best by my dog and not cause her distress but at the same time sort out the barking issue.

[Horsegirl1]

I am more than happy to see a behaviour expert. Infact iv Googled to see whonis available in my area . I will ring them Monday

[NeedACleverNN]

Imagine if every time you spoke I set the fire alarm off near you.

Loud and high pitched. It would soon drive you crazy or into a nervous wreck.

Bark stop would eventually do that to a dog

[Runningbutnotscared]

I have a collie, a loud loud collie.

We have trained him on our own and using classes, we practice the training daily, he gets walked (a lot), we mentally stimulate him with daily games, he can be a joy.....but he barks when he is in the house. Loudly.

We have paid (expensive) trainers who just haven't helped. We also tried (at a real low point) a water pistol - didn't work at all.

As a last resort we use a RSPCA approved bark collar which sprays citronella at his nose.
It hasn't stopped the barking, but it has reduced it to a manageable level. Have you thought about one of those?

[Horsegirl1]

Wow I'm quite flabbergasted at your comment regarding me being afraid of hardwork. I'm prepared to put in lots of hardwork. Me asking is because I want to help my dog. I coutkd be like millions and give her away but no I'm prepared to try and solve this minor blip. Goodness me wish I never asked for help in here

[NeedACleverNN]

I don't approve of citronella collars either btw

It's negative punishment and can have the same nervy effect.

[Horsegirl1]

Thanks to all who have actually offered me advice.I'm taking it all on board. Thank you x

[musicposy]

We've got two very barkey dogs out of four and after endless training and dog classes not really achieving anything and our arsey neighbours knocking on the door swearing and threatening me every time one opened her mouth (thankfully moved now, new ndns are lovely), we tried one of those silent bark stop things (not a collar, the push button thing I think you're describing).

Sadly it did nothing to stop the barky ones who just barked through it but our one very quiet dog looked terrified of it and very upset if I picked it up; it was obviously hurting her ears. I stopped it immediately then - I don't want my dogs living in fear.

Mostly now I ignore it - I think alerting me is part of their job. In the day, walking away or another distraction often works. However, if they do start off at night and won't stop I have threatened to spray or chuck water at Miss Chief Barky and that seems to work without upsetting the others. She doesn't seem unduly upset or stressed by this, just stops and settles immediately, from which the others take their cue.

All four sleep with me too .