workin4fishin
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Chromer - I wonder what one looks like up close
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Reged: 09/13/02
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Loc: Monroe and Redmond WA
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OK our lab/heeler? cross is now 3 1/2 and has been a barker for as long as we've had her. It toned down, with the use of one of those cheap zap collars but now it just doesn't seem to be doing the job anymore. I'm beginning to see why the previous owners gave her away.
She just won't stop barking.
My wife would like to shoot her some days, and today was a particularly bad day. Barking all day long, so she gets shut up in the garage, which then makes her whine/bark all day. She chews like a lab, but fortunately, turning scrap wood into mulch seems to be the worst of it. She has the other 'endearing' mannerisms of a lab, but those we could live with if she just stopped barking all the time. She's fine when in the house, but a real pain when kept out, such as while my wife is teaching piano.
Lots of collars out there. Any experiences/suggestions? We don't want to have to give up on her, but it may be necessary to retain household sanity, keep peace with the neighbors, etc. I've had a number of dogs over the yrs, but have never had any real issues with any of them. This one seems to be the payback for all those easy dogs.
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bighoof
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Thick Tail
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That's a bummer, I was gonna say the shock collars. Better call the Dog Whisperer. 
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Jeff
Leader Buddy Prostaff
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JimW
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Duck freek
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Reged: 09/15/03
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Loc: port orchard WA
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get you a bark collar the one a wall mart works good dont go off on every bark my dog if she starts now after 6 years all I have to do is put it in sight and shes good for another year. Jim
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In memory of Floyd M. Wright; Nov 3 1925 - Oct 8 2007. you were the greatest, I love you Dad.
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jimh
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Salted and Unsalted Boater!
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There are a couple that increase their intensity the more the dog barks, and reset. Go for that. Your current one may need a new battery if it has replaceable batteries. One caution is that they really aren't supposed to be worn continuously. The dog could have built up some scar tissue.
If the dog isn't already getting lots of exercise (I know it is hard during the winter), exercise more. Have a session in the AM and at night.
Make sure it has good bones to crew. Nylabone makes some for very good bones for hard chewers down to puppies. You can also provide the dog with other toys like a kong and put a treat inside of it.
On of the things that seems to make the dogs the most neurotic is not having a clear idea who's boss. So, spend some time practicing basic obedience. That actually might be a good activity for your oldest kid. Appparently, dogs that think they are in charge, worry themselves to death if they can't protect their people. Not saying that is the case, but it could be.
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Wear a PFD if you want to live.
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workin4fishin
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Chromer - I wonder what one looks like up close
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Loc: Monroe and Redmond WA
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Thanks guys - keep em coming
The collar we have was the basic Innotek one. Cheap, no remote, and not always that consistent it seems. It did work for a while. You're probably right Jim, (both) in that she wears it too much and has probably developed scar tissue/resistance. If we keep her, we'll get a more effective collar with a remote, so it's not so random.
The dominance thing I think we've got established. I think the biggest issue is when I'm not around, or if I'm inside and she can't be right at my heel. We spoiled her by letting her stay inside and upstairs too much this winter, and now we're paying the price.
She always has lots to chew, and fortunately, has no taste for shoes. scrap 2x4's seem to be her favorite. Packaged chews get taken outside and buried rather quickly.
I actually got my sorry lazy butt out of bed and walked her this morning. I've got to get into that habit. The wife's doing that Jenny Craig thing, and I could stand to lose a few dozen lbs myself.
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O________
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j~ >')))><|
My grandfather's RAF unit in WWII
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Mojo
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Instigator
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I used a "Barker Breaker" on my lab. It was a device that sent out ultrasonic blast when the dog barked. It also had a piercing beep mode. I set it next to her kennel, and that was the end of the barking. Just had to remember to change the batteries occasionally or she would figure out it was dead. Works wonders on the neibors dogs as well. Got it from Cabelas about 8 years ago.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
TEAM MOOSE DROOL
TEAM SMOKIN' MERC
TEAM JACKSON BALDWIN
Alaksa Nitro Baits Pro Staff
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Southfork
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Not Normal......
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Reged: 04/01/03
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Loc: Stalking night Steel.....
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Yep what Jim and Mojo said. My female lab only barks at things she wants and not much even then. Now the whining is most definitively a woman thing
Locking the dog in the garage will only aggravate the problem I would think. Most dogs are companion oriented so if you lock them up they will act to suit. If you want me to prove this with pictures I can 
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Searching for JAWS at night....
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AuntyM
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Jill of all trades
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Quote:
Now the whining is most definitively a woman thing
Millie isn't a barker either... but she sure can whine!
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http://www.ccapnw.org
The Monster Breathes!
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Will fish for food
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 08/28/02
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Loc: South West Washington
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I've been out of the dog thing for a some time but Tritronic
is one of the best I've used.
WFFF
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Take A Kid Fishing It Will Be Good For Both Of You
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joker
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/07/03
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Loc: Bremerton, WA
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Sounds like the dog has been conditioned to bark. It has been "rewarded" for barking. The shock collar most likely was not set strong enough or like stated, the battery could be drained. When using this type of "punishment", it must be delivered immediately and be strong. It appears the dog may have habituated to the "pain". I would keep the collar on at all times. The dog can learn that when it is not wearing the collar, it will not get shocked. You can reverse the batteries on the collar so it will not deliver a shock. I would reverse the batteries so the dog does not notice a difference in the weight of the collar.
An important thing to know about is the "extinction burst". This SHOULD happen when you introduce a variable in an effort to change behavior. The behavior you are attempting to stop should increase after the intervention is introduced. You must not stop the intervention. If you do, this can result in an increase in the behavior. You make thing worse. This appears to have happened at some point. You need to ride this out. After the extinction burst, you should observe a significant reduction of the behavior.
I would think there are variables influencing the dog's behavior that have not been identified. This is where a third party can help identify these variables. I would also minimize other people from interacting with the dog during these interventions. A good friend of mine reinforced bad behaviors in one of my dogs. We told him what NOT to do when iteracting with the dog (she was a pup) but he still did it. We had teh pleasure of fixing things. Very difficult to change. Understand that changing behavior is difficult. Sounds like you know this
Replacing the negative behavior is needed. Reward the dog when it is doing what you want it to. You need to be a machine whe you train the dog. Consistancy is key. There are some very good web sites out there on dog behavior. I'm sure you have checked these out. It may be worth consulting with an expert in your area. You can not really blame the dog for the behavior. The dog has learned and been conditioned to exhibit this behavior, for what ever reason. The prior owner created this problem.
Good Luck!
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archy99
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Chromer
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Reged: 09/07/05
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Loc: Everett, WA.
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Old post.
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Beyond this, where there is no memory, the countryside lies vacant. -Indra Kagis McEwan
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joker
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/07/03
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Loc: Bremerton, WA
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Ya I missed that......got excited about dogs and behavior management
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birdhunter111
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fingerling
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Reged: 11/16/05
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Loc: Pullman, WA
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I used a bark collar until I slammed the garage door and got her shocked. I didn't think it was teaching a lot if she got shocked for other noises.
I finally used a bottle of sour apple (you can buy at Petsmart). You put a squirt in their mouth when they bark. It takes a little work but it worked better than the bark collar.
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Todd
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