How can I stop my dog from barking at the neighbor's dog?
My neighbor's dog is a police dog and lives outside in a special shelter in all but extreme weather. He's well-behaved and used to be rather quiet. He's a Belgian Malinois. The neighbor is extremely unfriendly and not sociable at all. Doesn't say hi or anything.
Our dog (one of them) is a Ratshire Terrier (combination Rat/Yorkshire Terrier) who adores barking. He loves to bark at this poor dog, and has taught the police dog to bark outside and now gets the poor police dog in trouble all the time! Charlie will want to go out just to bark at this poor dog and I don't know what to do. He'll bark at him while he's crouched over pooping. Meanwhile, the officer is yelling out the back door in Dutch or German or whatever language they use to train these dogs at the police dog...it is pandemonium! And at 5am, this is not what a happy neighborhood wants.
Help! We've tried water bottles, treats, distractions, etc....none work with this terrier....he's "all terrier, all the time" and can't be dissuaded from his mission.
Any ideas would be most welcome!
Cam and Harry
This may or not help in your situation but sometimes excessive barking is the result of pent-up energy. If this is the case, the solution is simple: release that energy in more productive ways.
Try switching rooms when this happens and distracting the dog. He's barking to guard you and warn the other dog.
I purchased a sonic egg from petsmart that emits a high frequency sound when they bark. It is safe and can be used outdoors on "High". It has been effective for most the dogs I watch, Also they make collars that spray a gross smell when they bark. these are the safest that I have heard about!
I use the Outdoor Dog Bark Control frequency emitter, you can find it easily at your local pet store or online. Mine looks like a birdhouse! You could fix this somewhere between the two dogs and it will likely reduce or eliminate the barking.
Thanks for these great ideas! I especially like the smell collar idea.....