Desperate Measures-Stew's barking, I was YELLED at.

[Jess & Stewart]

I was harshly yelled at last night by a neighbor for Stew's barking. I suspected he'd been barking more during the day lately, so I ordered a bark collar. Ironically, it's being delivered tomorrow. I came home, took Stew outside, then left him out of the crate while I ran down to put laundry in the washer. I literally walked very quickly down the stairs, threw detergent and my laundry in and came back upstairs. Gone 2 minutes. Stew was SCREAMING, hence the rush. As I exited my basement I heard one of my neighbors SCREAMING "it's time to take care of the dog" over & over. He saw me run up the steps, I said "sorry, I just ran down for my laundry, I know I suspect he's been barking more, I'm working on it." As I said this quickly, he kept saying "no, no, it's ALL day, everyday, ALL day, start taking care of that & the dog or I'm calling the landlord the next time he barks". As he was saying this, I started to ask "do you notice if it's morning, evening etc" He said the landlord thing again quickly and then slammed his door.

I was so distraught, I grabbed Stew, my phone and took him for a long walk. It was about 7 pm. My phone has been not holding a charge, so it died about 20 minutes later as I was sobbing on the phone to my mom. I cried for almost our whole walk, I must have looked crazy. I then just did my usual route, about a mile to a park & back, adding other streets in. Just because I didn't want to go back to my apt.

I came back around 8:10. I brought Stew down with me both times I emptied the washer & dryer. I also didn't take a shower, since I normally put him in the crate. I took off work today because I was so worried/upset, called a coworker, who let me borrow her bark collar for today. I didn't have much to do at work today & my supervisor is out, so I don't feel bad, LOL.

The same coworker has dogs & is having a party tonight, offered to pick us up later around 3:30 & have us at her place tonight. Tomorrow & Sunday, I'll be in NJ. Stew has pre-op for his neuter next week. I'll also be in NJ from Wednesday night until Sunday next week. Neuter is Thursday morning & I took Friday off work. Maybe being away & now having the bark collar will help...

I just can't believe how that guy snapped at me. Also, I'm typically in NJ most weekends, but I haven't been there for about 3 weeks as my dad's work picked up. I'm wondering if he was just partially having a really bad day, since I've had Stew in his crate while I'm at work since December. I've only seen this guy maybe 5 times since I moved here in July. His GF is a teacher, I see her often and she always says hi to us & pets Stew. I thought he was also, but he seemed like he was home during the day. The apartment is pet friendly, there are 4 dogs including Stew, but I rarely see the other neighbors' dogs. There are no breed or size restrictions, so I know I'm fine, but I'm still shaken up considering if the landlord would do anything.

My sister is moving to NJ with her dog, so I'm hopeful we'll just end up spending the weekends together, so that lessens the barking on the neighbors & gives Stew stimulation/exercise.

Stew has also become quite aggressive, really growling, lunging & nipping. He hasn't broken any skin on me, but he's really started to guard. Almost like he's territorial. He growls if I open my closet to get laundry out of my hamper when I stand in front of him. He really wants to grab something. If he gets a hold of something he does not want to give it up. He'll drop it, but when he sits & I approach to grab it or give him a treat, then grab, he growls. He snapped this morning when I went to grab my shoe he had dropped, he attached himself to my jeans & ankle, snarling, growling, biting.

I'm hopeful he's just testing me & that the neuter will REALLY CALM him down. Geez, sorry for the length!

[Brittney & Cally]

Cally can be a whiner when I leave the house but it only lasts about two minutes. I always leave the TV on and or a radio to keep her stimulated and not have it be so silent. If it is that intense of barking I am sure it is anxiety. I agree with others that it is time to have a professional come work with you. Another thing that you could try is putting him into daycare one or two days a week. Cally never cries when I leave when she has gone to daycare the day before, just because she is so worn out. Also if he is at daycare you do not have to worry about him and you do not have to worry about your neighbor. I am so sorry you are going through this. Luckily I am living at my parents house right now as I am transferring schools but am moving into an apartment this summer and this is definitely on my list of concerns, especially because Cally will sometimes bark if she hears an unfamiliar noise. I hope you can get this taken care of quickly more for your sake so you do not have to worry about it! Good Luck!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sorry Jess you are having trouble with Stewart, I know you have been trying very hard and are a good doodle mom. Just remember he's still very young.
I agree with the training for sure. A person to walk him and doggy daycare are good suggestions also.
I've had trouble with yogi and the crate. We are currently working with an animal behaviorist. He thinks it's more of a confinement issue. I can tell you the thunder shirt has helped him deal with the anxiety a lot.

Good luck and I'm sorry your neighbor unloaded on you.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Sorry that you are going through this, it can be really difficult working full time and raising a puppy--I know because I'm doing it!

Do you put anything in the crate with Stew to chew on with while you are at work? If not, you could try stuffing a Kong so he would have something to do. If he’s chewing on a Kong he won’t be able to bark and it will reward him for being quiet. You could also try getting a webcam with sound to watch/listen to him while you’re at work. This way you would know if what you’re doing is work and maybe what is causing him to bark.

Also I saw this new product that was released by Ian Dunbar recently that’s pretty cool that helps with problem barkers and rewards their silence vs. punishes their barking. PetSafe Auto Trainer

I wish I could offer more suggestions, but Oliver doesn’t bark a lot while I’m away, or the neighbors that we share a townhouse wall with don’t complain. Good luck!

[Jess & Stewart]

I do give him a KONG, I typically mix some of his food with some PB or cheese or honey. I'm not sure if it lasts very long though. I never want to give him a lot, since I don't want to over feed. I also give him his antlers. A lot of the time, I don't think he chews them. He usually barks to get out of the crate if I try to make him chew it in there.

He used to bark as soon as I put him in the crate, but I can put him a minute or two before I leave & he isn't barking when I exit my building. I haven't heard him barking when I come home for lunch in about a month, I can get all the way into my apt & he's typically laying in the crate. I'm guessing I just don't catch the barking.

[Deborah Brown]

It's good that you don't hear him when leaving or returning.  Maybe the neighbor is exaggerating?  Still, you don't want to think that your dog is a problem for the building.  OR that he is upset while you are gone.  Ideally dogs take nice long naps when left alone but perhaps Stew hears noises that keep him alert?

I hope I didn't sound too harsh earlier.  The thought of him barking incessantly for hours is just heartbreaking.  I would probably go the webcam route just to know for myself what was going on.  And, of course, get a trainer to work with you at your home.  None of us can really evaluate the situation via DK.

[Jess & Stewart]

Yes, I'm not sure if he was exaggerating or not. I have only seen him a few times, so maybe he really doesn't work & is inside a lot. I do want to address the barking. I was going to get behavioral training previously but I had thought it was lessening. I'll set something up ASAP once he's recovered from the neuter. Since my sister will be here, I'm actually thinking I may have her watch him after his neuter when I'm at work for the first week. I'd hate for him to be in the crate with the cone on.

I had set up my iPad a few times, but it wasn't a lot of barking. He's starting to test everything so maybe he's doing that also.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

When Oliver was very young we would leave him home in a playpen or between gates in a small section of the house. Oliver wasn't a fan of the crate for longer than an hour--he would try to scratch his way out and bark. Now when were gone he prefers to sit in the bay window and watch the street. In my opinion, being in a crate for 8 hours would be pretty boring.

If Stew likes the Kong I would try stuffing it with more things to make it last longer and one item that he couldn't get out so he always has something to work on while you were at work. Maybe nonfat plan yogurt mixed with peanut butter, kibbles, and piece of cheese at the end that would be extremely hard to work out.

Seriously, don't stress too much. You'll find something that works soon. At worst, you can take him to daycare. We did daycare for Oliver two times a week when he was under a year to burn off the mid week puppy jitters! :)

[Valarie]

Jess,  I'm so sorry that your neighbor upset you so badly.  He could have handled it better by discussing the problem allowing you to come up with more specific causes and solutions.  Probably just having a bad day.  My DH is very sensitive to noise.  We live in the country and every time we go out the back door the neighbor's dogs bark.  It doesn't bother me but it drives him crazy.  Sophie rarely barks so that has been a blessing.  Stew is still a puppy and that is really challenging.  Don't beat yourself up, you will figure it out. You are already doing so many things right.    Definitely get some professional help and try the things that everyone here has suggested.  The calmer you remain the better it will be for Stew.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Hugs to you and Stew.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this, Jess.  It stinks the neighbor had to yell like that - I get that a barking dog can be annoying, but there are tactful ways to handle things.

Wish I had some suggestions to offer, but it sounds slightly encouraging that you don't typically hear him when you leave or come back home.  Hopefully the behavioral training will help, and hopefully the guy is exaggerating some.  I'm sure it's stressful and sad to think Stew is having such anxiety.  Maybe set up your iPad again, at least for your own peace of mind while you're away.  I actually just got a dropcam to see what Ellie does during the day when I'm at work.  (I'm quite certain it's going to show a lot of dog sleeping. ;) )

Good luck, and I hope that neighbor can keep his own barking under control.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Jess, is it possible that you could take him to day care while you are working.  Maybe even half days?  It sounds like he is spending so much time in the crate.  Does he sleep in the crate at night too?  Puppyhood is difficult at best especially if you are gone most of the day.  I am sorry you are going through this.  I wish you lived here, I would take him in while you were working.  Good luck on finding a solution. Keep us posted.

[Jess & Stewart]

He does not sleep in his crate. I felt bad having him in the crate during the day & at night. He's out when I get home at 5 until he goes back in around 7:40 am. I start him out with me on a towel at the edge of the bed and he typically moves to his dog bed or certain spots on the floor.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

It sounds like he is a very good boy when you are there.  Hang in there.  You and Stewart will get it figured out.