I'm going to kill my dog...

[snowdreamer]

This is the third night in a row my dog won't stop barking. I'm sure my neighbors want to kill me as much as they want to kill my dog. I can't take it anymore. I need as much beauty sleep as I can get.
I'm extremely upset right now. He sleeps indoors and he refuses to come in. I'm not sure but I think there is a racoon or some other kind of critter near our back yard.

I'm considering a Citronella bark collar, has anyone tried one on their dog???
I've thought of a different type of bark collar but I can't bring myself to use that on him. Has anyone used this type of radio controlled shock collar on their dog???

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Please don't suggest plastic surgery I prefer my rest.

[lemon boy]

Yes it's probably a coon or a fox. Bring him inside at night and toss him in his kennel and if he still scents something and barks in there try tossing a blanket over the kennel, which will muffle the scent. Our big dog (vermin sharpish) occasionally barks inside at night when something goes by, not much you can do about that.

As for bark collars: citronella ones IME work about as good as flying to the moon on a vase.
The shock bark collars work okay but won't stop all barking from a hard headed dog but will certainly stop most barking, hey...dogs bark. Get one that is adjustable and find the level at which it stops your dog from barking. They learn fast. It is not cruel that is you anthropomorphizing the dog. If the dog doesn't bark it doesn't get shocked: simple effective clear. Inhumane is letting your dog bark its head off all the time.

The remote collars are only for training and will not be effective in stopping barking unless you're a pro trainer.

[Elkhound Odin]

I swear by the citronella collar. My Elkhound barked/howled for hours when he was alone. (neighbors complained) After a number of failed alternatives, I put the collar on him. After a couple barks & a couple sprays in his face he stop howling. Dead stop. Of course, it helped that he was in his crate and could not run from the spray. The collar doesn't work so well if the dog is running loose.

Now I just put an empty collar on him when I leave for work. Still no barking.

[milton]

I've heard mixed results with Citronella. My dog became immune to it, and friend of mine had great success with it.

After moving into a condo I was desparate and tried the electric collar. Being hesitant to put it on my furry friend, I tested it on myself first. Then I spent a couple days with the dog wearing the collar before I left him alone with it on. He got the picture real fast. The one I have gives a warning shock before giving the real one. After about 2 days he never barked past the warning buzz.

[P_McPoser]

The shock collar for the dog I had growing up didn't work. He would just go "BARK BARK BARK YEEELLLLP BARK BARK BARK YELLLLLLP."

So if your dog is really pig-headed, even the shock collar is useless.

[Tippster]

...He sleeps indoors[outdoors?] and he refuses to come in. ...

This is ridiculous. You want him inside he comes inside. YOU are in charge, not the dog.

[fez]

This is ridiculous. You want him inside he comes inside. YOU are in charge, not the dog.

thats exactly what i was thinking. maybe some obedience classes would help?

[Conundrum]

I second the little zappy kind. My dog barked until the collar and it has a power setting so you can get a low dosage if you are worried about the humanity. Only once did I get a yelp because I had left it on the highest setting from the night before when we pimped a drunk roommate.

[Viva]

Send your dog to anger management classes.

[Bluebird]

This might only happen in the movies, and I forget what movie, but I laughed my ass off the other day. Somebody in said movie had a citronella collar on their dog and happen to be holding it. Another person walks up to pet the dog and it barks. The collar proceeds to spray the unsupecting guest. Funny shit.

That said, I second the crate training mentioned above. My dogs and most many other I know are so much better behaved when they are in their "home" ie crate. Put the crate away from any windows/doors where they might here/smell/see anything outside and they will usually sleep long and quietly in the comfort of their own little haven from outside distractions.

[Pow4Brains]

This is ridiculous. You want him inside he comes inside. YOU are in charge, not the dog.

2nd.........if you tell the dog to shut up, it should shut up.

[snowdreamer]

This is ridiculous. You want him inside he comes inside. YOU are in charge, not the dog.

It is ridiculous, I agree. I was so upset I finally went outside, called him over made him sit and made him go inside. But I have to be honest as a dog owner I suck. I need more training.

Koda is a Lab mix most loving dog you will ever meet. But he is stubborn as can be. He has chewed my family room couch to hell, he ate a wood bench outside, totally out of control. Although I must say he hasn't had an accident in the house since the first week I had him.

Thanks everyone for your input. First I will work on more training then I will try the shock collar.

[fez]

It is ridiculous, I agree. I was so upset I finally went outside, called him over made him sit and made him go inside. But I have to be honest as a dog owner I suck. I need more training.

to be honest, most obedience training classes are owner training classes first. dog training classes second.

[Viva]

How much excercise does this dog get? How many walks per day, etc...

[atomicboy]

Thats why you get a seasoned dog from the rescue Shelter. Just put the boy in the crate inside.

Do not worry about the neighbors yet. There is a whole song and dance they will need to go through before the dog gets taken away. It will take a few months and by that time if you do your homework the problem will be solved before you go to court. Thats what happened to me except my dog barked during the day while I was at work.

[RootSkier]

Second the idea that obedience training is for people first, dogs second.

Your dog won't learn a whole lot in a few one hour sessions, but you will learn a TON about how to control your dog.

[Sinecure]

Get one of these. Makes it easier to carry him inside:

[P_McPoser]

wow that's gay...

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Holy shit! I just spewed juice all over my keyboard. That is the funniest damn thing I've seen in awhile!

[Dug]

Reminds me of this fine gem:

[Grange]

My father told me about a veterinarian he met during a hunting trial who raises dogs (forgot what breed). Apparently the vet does as "debarking" proceedure on his dogs to keep them quiet. Personally I think that goes too far and wouldn't consider that for myself.

[BobMc]

Personally I think that goes too far and wouldn't consider that for myself.

You bark a lot?

BobMc

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Imagine a really hoarse dog. That's what "de-barked" dogs sound like. People across the street did that to their dogs when I was a kid. The dogs still barked and it was just as annoying, only at a lower volume level and they sounded like they had strep throat. Your immediate neighbors will still hear him even if the ones four houses away can't anymore.

[RootSkier]

All I gotta say is don't take acid near a "debarked" dog.

[snowdreamer]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sinecure, I will have to pass on the doggy carrier.

I've started walking Koda later in the evening it has really helped. He is a lot more relaxed when he comes in.

I brought out an old magazine on training a dog and it has helped. I know its only been a few days but the difference is incredible.

Once again thank you all.