[StarPonysMama]

I found a dog on the side of the road about 2 years ago. We think he was about three months old at the time. I decided to heep him for 2 reasons. 1 - He was a black & tan coonhound and I had one before that was just this big lethargic baby, and I was excited about another. 2 - If I gave him to the pound I knew what his ultimate fate would be. Either euthanized or with a dog-hunting party. (We are some of the last places where they still run dogs to hunt deer in the US)

So, with that said from day one he has been a barker. Of course, he's a hound. But the old dog Jake was nothing like this. I figured after puppy stage he would calm down. NOPE. He gets on these rants that are just mind boggling and it's almost such a Nuisance, I can't even stand it. He just almost gets frantically barking.

So, Tyring to be humane.....I have tried EVERYTHING. Bark collars, Sound devices that emit a high pitched sound when they bark. I have tried herbs and prescriptions from the vet for anxiety. LIERALLY - EVERYTHING. I know this sounds funny but, it's his nose. He picks up a scent and just got ape crazy!

So, it's highly unlikely I can find him a home without it being a hunter. I don't like the way the huntsrs pen up and treat their dogs so I refuse to do that. If I give hime to the shelter, well, you know. So what the heck do I do?

Has anyone had the same problem with a dog? Maybe someone has some suggestions. I know it's driving me NUTS! I have to lock him in my bathroom to make him stop barking! It's NUTS.

Just figured I would throw it out there. PC helps with everything else.

[wisewoman]

doggie school or the pet psychic? Um, good luck.

[EJ711]

Star,

What a nice looking dog.

Don't have any answers, but I'm writing to empaphize. We live in rural Kansas. People dump dogs out here when they want to get rid of them for whatever reason.

We have two dogs that are what we call "special deliveries". One of those two dogs is extremely hyper, and starts barking almost uncontrollably if one of my other dogs hears something first and barks.

He's really been getting on my nerves too.

EJ

[bflatgary]

You did the right thing by giving this dog a home. As for the barking, a dog trainer might be able to help. Young dogs are like children, they are waiting to be taught. Give the little guy a chance.

bfG

http://www.dogpatch.org/sheltie/barking.html

[Labyssum]

I think you should take him to dog training.
PLEASE don't give him up to a shelter...That would be so sad. :-(

[Doh2007]

Maybe it's time to call in Caesar? The Dog Whisperer.

[seeker1950]

Hi, Star...
I can surely empathize with your situation. I have rescued many pets over the years. I had a Sheltie that barked incessantly when she was out in the yard...barking at grass, birds, anything, constantly. I found a woman who had lost her Sheltie, was an elderly widow, who wanted to replace her lost pet. It all turned out well, as she was SO happy to have a new Sheltie and read stories to him at night!

Recently, I found a home for the last rescuee, Kelley, a Samoyed mix I had adopted from the Lexington, KY, pound when my daughter's roommate said she was takng her back to the pound after a few days. I had Kelley for over 6 years, and she was/is a lovely, gentle white fluffly dog. But!!!, when I moved to this new residence last year, Kelley became obsessed with escaping. I installed new fencing, then a wire fence with shock collar, but nothing worked, and she was gone each day....morning or evening, and since I had id tag on her, I'd get calls from people far and wide to come get her. I would pay these people for their trouble at containing her and calling me. Finally, in desperation, I ran an ad to find her a new home, and it turned out very well....The man who called and finally adopted her has a big farm, and many other pets and children. He says Kelley is "sleeping with two of the tripletts (age 11), and waits for them to return from school each day. She is a house dog there, but also with much acreage to run and play on. I would never, like you, have let her go to someone who would keep her tied to a chain.
I was so SO stressed with this last rescue, I don't plan to do any more.
I hope you can find a good solution for your dog.
LOVe
Patty

[StarPonysMama]

Well,

here's the problem with a dog trainer. #1 - they cost alot of money. I also help support my mother and 11 year old brother. And, I live 20 miles away from EVERYTHING and the closest "dog trainer" I have found is 23 miles from my home and costs about 30 bucks an hour.

Good god, that's grocery money.

Or, gas money.

Or, the $700.00 injections my mom has to have to save her eyesight every 10 weeks or so.

But thank you all for the empathy.

I think my next (and last) attempt is going to be to put a muzzle on him when he starts getting frantic. I never liked the thought of that because I think it's cruel. But, I bought one. It's nylon mesh and they can still drink and breathe with it on so, I don't think it's so bad.

I'm going to try leaving it on until he stops barking and then take it off.

Maybe that will help. Hopefully he will associate that he only has to wear it when he barks. UGH!

I wish I could desensitize his nose!

And, I've read endless articles about dog training. I saw that yelling at them just encourages it. Like a child. Even negative attention is "attention" so from now on - I'm just going to isolate him and withdrawl attention when he barks so maybe he will associate that too!

My mom says to just keep bombarding him until he realizes that he has to give up his barking addiction - LOL

I wish there were a PC for dogs so he could work on that.

LOL!

Thank you to you all!

[StarPonysMama]

(((Rainbowzz)))

Thanks for the link. But, there's no time I can take off work to do this. Plus, he's over two years old.

10 hours a day, 5 days a week, I'm at work or commuting to and from work.

A great training tactic though for puppies.

Very interesting article.

[StarPonysMama]

Wow, thank you for your inspiration.

We've rescued the four legged here from cats, to MANY dogs, to even HORSES.

We had a wild mustang from Nevada once. That was a RIOT

We did find a Treeing walker hound once (the wander from the state hunting property next door) a home at a farm. This guy, not sure how my mom found him, had like 20 head of dogs and we had named her Hannah. Hannah found her home there roaming on 20 acres with a pack. Not sure if that guy is still even there. Can't even remember how to get there. That was about 15 years ago.

Ahhhh, yes the love for animals once you realize they have feelings too.

Thanks for your understanding.

I really love "Gus". Especially when he is so sweet and lays his head in your lap. It's a double-edged sword.