Our neighborhood loves dogs. Nearly every house has a dog. And nearly every dog likes to "converse" with its neighbors. Especially Bella. She sees or hears a dog and she barks. Continuously.
I think their conversations go something like this:
Bella: I can bark a lot.
Spike: I bark more.
Bella: No way.
Spike: Yes. And I can bark louder.
Bella: But I can bark longer without ever taking a breath.
Spike: But I can make you bark until your mom tells you to come inside. Then I get to stay outside and bark more.
Bella: That's so unfair and mean of you.
Spike: Is not.
Bella: Is too.
Spike: Is not.
Bella: Mom, he's being mean. Chief, do something.
About this time, Chief lies down in the grass and wonders how long it will be before I try to bribe her with any treat to come inside and be quiet. And of course, he'll get one too.
The problem is when she sees a dog, she barks. When she hears a dog, she barks. If she thinks she hears or sees a dog, she barks. If she thinks about a dog, she barks. If she sees any kind of animal, she barks. If she thinks she sees an animal, she barks. Needless to say, she barks a lot.
I have an electric fence so I can't get an electric bark collar. I tried a citronella collar that would spray her if she barked. She used up all the spray in about a week. The high pitched sound deterents don't carry far enough for our yard. So it's me. Yelling, bribing, cajoling, to get her quiet. I wonder what the neighbors find more annoying, her barking or my hushing her.
So if you have anti-bark training tips, please share in the comments.
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