Barking, all the time day and night, I'm done in.

[MotherForker]

16 month old labradoodle (I know, I know). I'm at my wits end. The main are barking and high arousal biting. I've posted about this before, but I sort of need a let it all out post, cos I am so fed up. Feel free to berate me for my crap dog ownership skills.

Some background, she had recurrent ear infections and skin itching and was started on a special allergy diet. This did seem to help, to start with but the scratching has returned recently. It means we can't use high value treats for training, we've tried a rabbit skin toy, but she always interested. We have two cats, they have spaces away from her and one used to get in with her well. But now she is obsessed with sticking her head through the cat flap and barking at them (through the window)

Barking- has got a lot worse recently. Used to be postman, dogs walking by and we were working on training with this (low threshold, treats, building up). But now it is all the time, including the middle of the night. She will settle, but as soon as anyone moves even slightly in the evening or at night she will jump up and run barking at the door to where the cats are or the back door. I have been doing mat work with her, enrichment sniffing stuff and treats for staying calm with us. But none of it has made any difference and she is getting worse. Last night she did it all night, running downstairs barking. She now also barks on walks (especially when it's dark). I think my neighbours hate me.

The biting I've posted about before. Always in walks or in the garden. She gets highly aroused and snaps, barking, growling and biting us. I'm covered in cuts and bruises from it (I fold my arms in and turn my back). We do have a muzzle and use this most of the time, but she still jumps and bashes her head against me (which bruises).

I've contacted a behaviourist and I'm taking ddog to vet today to follow up allergy food and to ask for referral form the be completed. But I'm just so fed up. I know it's my fault, I've not been attentive enough when she was a puppy. In hindsight it was a terrible time to get a dog, my marriage was in rocks (were currently separating), my mh wasn't brilliant etc. So I'm a terrible dog owner, and I'm at the end of what I feel I can manage. Of course I love her to pieces, as do the dc.

A behaviourist will be able to help. They will need to see the dog or question you a lot to get to the root (there are multiple possible causes) but they will be able to help you. Have faith that help is on the way

Also, at 16 months your dog is the prime age to drive you crazy. Really, these teenage months are a bloody nightmare for lots of people/dogs, but they do pass .

WRT allergies, there are lots of treats that you may be able to use, though it's a bit trial and error to make sure you find ones that don't trigger reactions. However, some you might want to look for and may not know about:

• Soopa training treats, whcih are all fruit and veg based and come in small, clean and easy to carry pieces.

• Maks Patch reward coins - come in peanut butter and papaya flavour, are vegan and also come in small, easy to carry little round pieces

• Royal Canin Educ Training - small, made of hydrolysed proteins (so very unlikely to trigger raections because the body doesn't recognise them in the same way). Do give off a little bit of crumb so not quite as clean as the other two to carry, but pretty cheap.

TBH at this age, my own dog(s) have never valued treats very highly. It was only when they got through adolescence that they started to consider food a valuable reward for anything.

Sounds like you are going down the right avenues and doing all the right things. Is there any way you can block the view of out the window (window film/curtains) to give you a little respite or is it more noise based?

If the reactivity is to noise I'd highly recommend a pain trial as so many noise reactive dogs are experiencing pain. This is something a good behaviourist in combination with your vet should be happy to explore - the scientific research is out there. If this avenue is explored to no avail I'd suggest looking some anti-anxiety medication, again with the support of a behaviourist to support the medication with behavioural change. This is reasonably new to the world of (some) behaviourists so you may have to look around to find one.

It's obviously difficult over the internet to identify what is happening but trying to identify triggers is key. Is it human movement causing her barking in the evening, does she have separation anxiety? With the recurrent ear infections there may be an underlying continued pain. Is she worried about the noises outside and what does she do if she gets up close to something she's been barking at e.g. postman? Is it fear or frustration that she can't get there?

It sounds like you are trying your best and putting in a lot of effort so please don't be disheartened. I think you are definitely going down the right path to look for a behaviourist not just for the dog but also to support you as it can feel never ending at times 💕

Thank you for those suggestions. She isn't all bad. When I had covid in March, she barely left my side and generally she has such a lovely nature.

I'll hang in in for the behaviourist. It will be a zoom session be abuse of current restrictions. I might try filming some of the behaviour to show her

@MotherForker please don't be so hard on yourself. It sounds like you're doing the right things. If she's itchy, it's no wonder she's on high alert all the time.

Do you walk her every day or do you have rest days, so you both have a chance to decompress?

@FoamRoller the trigger in the evening is us moving and going into the kitchen where the door to the cats is in the (utility room) and access to the patio doors. She runs to the cat flap to the utility room, sticks her head through and barks, then runs to the patio doors and barks (as she know they have access to the outside too. It's like us getting up reminds her they are there. Occasionally it is noise triggered.

Postman etc, is just that she wants to see them. She's incredibly friendly and wants to say hello to all dogs and humans that we pass on walks. She cannot comprehend that some humans don't want to say hello to her!

We walk her every day. In part because the garden is a barking, excitement trigger to her, and she often gets so excited she won't go to the toilet! But we have short, quiet walks for the purpose of toileting as well as longer, more interesting ones.

Here's a picture of the muppet.

Have you tried leaving something on downstairs like the radio or tv low volume at night (or white noise) so that she can't hear the moving around as much? It's annoying when they are like this. I swear some of them sleep with one ear still open :).

In the evening we can be watching TV, she can be sparko on her back and if we move a foot to go to get a drink or something she leaps up, like an SAS soldier, always combat ready 😁

She sounds very anxious bless her. Re the scratching, our dog does that when she’s anxious or frustrated about something. It’s embarrassing because to other people it looks like she has fleas!
Has the vet mentioned anti histamines at all? Maybe a short course might help.
Also any anti anxiety measures, whether that’s medication or plug ins, massage, or whatever.
Sounds like hard work but you will get through this.
Oh and if it’s any consolation the Christmas and New year period is a change in household routine and dogs pick up on anything like that so she maybe extra tricky at the moment. Our usually placid schnauzer has been needy, attention seeking and basically a pain in the bum the last week!

@MotherForker The first thing you need to do is totally STOP blaming yourself. Some dogs are harder than others, some dogs are harder for some people than other people, some dogs are just a nightmare and will be who ever has them . A lot of " issues" have already started when the bitch was pregnant and have nothing to do with the new owners trainer and environment.

You have done exactly the right thing. So a perfect owner! eg getting a vet check and then asking for professional advice. The behavourist will be able to sort out a plan for you.

Things are so much easier when you can see a plan for the future - this too will pass

Have you tried using window film so there's less to see and bark at. We've put it on our patio doors and its really helped.

She's gorgeous

Not sure about nipping as luckily ours have been fine.

We have poodles and they often bark at everything and anything. Drives us bloody batty!

Can't use normal treats with mine either, they're spoilt fussy. The only thing I've found that makes a difference is walking them more. It's really noticeable when they haven't been out as much. Difficult though if dog has to stay on the lead as obviously they don't get as much exercise from running up and down.

I know it's a bit bonkers and time consuming but one of mine LOVES cycling with me in the woods. He's the main barker and sets the other one off at home. I find it's the only way to keep him fully exercised as he's a bit mad/energetic. Even cycling slowly he loves it as he enjoys the faster pace, compared to walking. The other one is very chilled and isn't fussed about walks at all, won't go out if it's raining, cold etc!

Sounds like you have a bit of a mad/hyper one!

Also, you don't sound like a bad owner at all! The fact that you care so much shows. Don't beat yourself up. Our dogs were raised in exactly the same way. One is easy, one is totally bonkers! Chalk and cheese personalities.

You aren’t a terrible owner. You’re trying to do your best for your dog.
What are the allergies? We swapped older hound to raw. No chicken and no beef. She’s so much calmer and less neurotic. Also chewing seems to calm them so raw bones are great! I dehydrate liver etc as high value treats.
Good luck!

It's partly her age. Mine has just turned 2 and it's been such a relief. Between 9 and 18 months, she was very challenging. She's a very anxious nervy dog, whereas our other dog is so chilled.

Watch that she's not getting over stimulated; designate proper rest times; and def try some background noise to distract her hearing. You need to alter her noise perceptions. Have you tried a snuffle mat - mine loves hers and it really distracts her. Treat wise, we use cubes of cheese or chicken and she loves cucumber and carrot.

Regarding food, a friend had a dog with a lot of allergies and once they went onto one that was yeast free (a lot of dog food has brewers yeast in), their dogs itching almost stopped overnight.

We bought a new cat flap that only responds to the microchip in our cat to stop our dog sticking his head outside. I’d try that and blocking the view out of the patio door. Our dog used to run to the back door every time my husband walked into the lounge. I don’t know why he did it to DH. He never did it to me. If DH let him out, ddog would burst out of the door like a bat out of hell and run laps round the garden barking his head off. It was like he wanted to do a perimeter check for him. We now only let the dog out if we think he needs the toilet. DH ignoring him seems to have worked. If ddog starts barking at a bird or squirrel, I tell him to move away and shut the curtains until he forgets about it. We have started taking him out on a lead to break the barking habit in the garden.
Don’t worry about things you didn’t do, and concentrate on things you can try now. Teenage dogs can be a flaming pain sometimes. You sound like a thoughtful, responsible owner to me.

We took her to vet today. Her ears are waxy, but not infected or red. But vet said it sounded like maybe she had got something food wise to make her change again the last week or so. Especially as she had originally got better.

Also... Sorry this is grim... Her anal glands were full and blocked. Vet relieved them. She said this could make her feel like she needs the toilet all the time so make her on edge, especially in evenings. She's also prescribed a medication to help with the itching, while we sort the food.

@Wolfiefan she was on raw to begin with. We don't know yet what the allergy is, she's been on the z/d hydrogenated food? Vet says we'll do a couple more weeks then try her on old food and see if there is a reaction. I know chicken and beef are the most common ones.

@Thermalpants that's exactly what she does, like a greyhound out of a trap into the garden
She's runs to the cat flap and then the corner of the garden where th cats go through a small gap in fence. Then just crazy barking!

The vet wasn't keen to do the referral for the behaviourist. She wants to get her in a good place health wise so eliminate all the itching issues etc. Her biting and barking were a lot better until a couple of weeks ago. She also said they had their own behaviourist. I'm going to email the one we fou d and see what she says.

Mine is ok on lamb and venison and duck. Not bloody cheap when they’re wolfhound size!!
We ended up seeing a dermatologist. They suggested trying on a novel protein. And nothing but that for some time. (Can’t remember how long!) But something they had never had before and only that!

Bit of an update...

Found a behaviourist, saw the vet, all well. But vet was being weird about referring to behaviourist. Had long conversation on email about the issues we have with ddog and we want referral. The vet relied saying (again) that she doesn't think we need a referral, but she will do it for us.

Then the day before the session the vet practice phoned to say they can only refer to their house behaviourist. So I've lost a few weeks and loads of time and energy. And I'm no longer close to any help.

What with bloody lockdown, homeschooling and ddog really going for me with the biting on a walk, I just cried by eyes out.

Tonight she chased ds as he ran through house and barked and bit him. There isn't any point to this, other than to say I'm utterly fed up.

@MotherForker

Bit of an update...

Found a behaviourist, saw the vet, all well. But vet was being weird about referring to behaviourist. Had long conversation on email about the issues we have with ddog and we want referral. The vet relied saying (again) that she doesn't think we need a referral, but she will do it for us.

Then the day before the session the vet practice phoned to say they can only refer to their house behaviourist. So I've lost a few weeks and loads of time and energy. And I'm no longer close to any help.

What with bloody lockdown, homeschooling and ddog really going for me with the biting on a walk, I just cried by eyes out.

Tonight she chased ds as he ran through house and barked and bit him. There isn't any point to this, other than to say I'm utterly fed up.

No your vet can refer to any behaviourist. This response makes me wonder if they have concerns about the behaviourist you've found? Is the behaviourist accredited?
If so your vet can refer to them.

Their reluctance to refer is weird and goes against RCVS guidance. Unless they have a concern about the behaviourist you've chosen

www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/referrals-and-second-opinions/

The behaviourist was recommended on here and is fully accredited. I can't remember all the letters, but she an accredited behaviourist, not a trainer.

I've got to go in tomorrow and pick up medication so I will try and talk to them. We've been with this practice for over 12 years, stayed with them when we moved slightly further away. I didn't call back today because I was worried I would get angry as its been a bad day.

Apparently, to be referred to one outside their one it would have to go to management? The vet kept saying I didn't need a referral, but I do because she is accredited.

You could approach your choosen Behaviourist and they can then approach your vet. This is also pretty common practice. You just need to give the behaviourist permission to speak to the vet.

However anal glands can make dogs feel pretty stressed and miserable. A behaviourist would be glad to know that they have been treated and it may calm your dog down a bit.

Do contact your behaviourist and tell them the situation even over the phone they may give you a few pointers. You do need help on this and I am sorry you are having to fight for it.

You should be able to phone a behaviourist of your choosing and then they will contact the vet with you blessing. Keep going with finding a behaviourist. It all sounds very stressful. Is the "breeder" any help?

Is your vet part of a corporate group?
It sounds v strange. Been practicing for over 15 years and never needed 'permission' to refer anywhere.

I'd write a clear email/letter and drop it into the vet stating that you are requesting behavioural referral, that you wish to be referred to XXX an APBC/APDT behaviourist and that if they refuse to do so, you'd like to understand the reasons why since this goes against the RCVS guide to professional conduct.