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!

[Christy&Riley]

I can empathize in trying everything you know to do and still can't seem to change the behavior. That can be so frustrating. Especially when trying to do it on your own. Hopefully a trainer can give you the guidance you need. :-). I can also understand the neighbor's response because I have been there. We have neighbors who used to let their two dogs bark 20-40 minutes straight while unsupervised in their back yard. It felt like eternity. We couldn't hear the tv and I couldn't concentrate to read a book. They also made no efforts to deal with it which added to our frustration. We had to call local police who said listening to a dog bark for two minutes is too long. They made a few visits to"educate" the home owner and now they bring the dogs in when they start barking. I think everyone realizes dogs are going to bark periodically and give leeway therefore my guess is that Stew must be going for long spells to fuel that kind of frustration. I'm sure the close quarters of your apartment complex make it even more challenging to work through it. Hopefully the time away will give your neighbor a break and it will give you a chance to help Stew. Good luck!

[Kyoko]

So sorry to hear about this.... I wonder it will help if you left a radio on while you are gone..?

[Kristina 'n Parker]

We recently watched a high strung and very anxious doodle for a friend for a week - in addition to pacing she howled constantly when she felt she was left without humans. We provided really long walks and she ended up liking nylabones.   I mentioned her to a friend and they suggested Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Dog Chews - I found them after she returned home and intended to give them to her owner - but our pup had just gotten spayed and after two days of resting she started to want to resume her active lifestyle - we gave Parker the Calming Chews and I really think it helped mellow her out.  I also purchased Head to Tail Calming Dog Chews - looks like it is a Pet Valu store product and I believe they worked quite well too.  We stuff and freeze kongs following different recipes and leave the tv on when our pup is home alone and so far no barking.  Other items that occupy our pup are the kong wobbler and a large split elk antler - although we are concerned for her teeth - it kept her laying down quiet and occupied. When we are home she does not have access to the things that occupy her when we are away.

[Deborah Brown]

Pet Natural Calming Chews contain Suntheanine which is a great supplement and can work well for anxious dogs.  Unfortunately, these chews contain such a low amount that they don't help a lot of dogs.  Lactium is also a good choice.  These two work well together.  You can buy them without the extras that the dog versions have.

Suntheanine (L-theanine) - http://www.swansonvitamins.com/doctors-best-suntheanine-l-theanine-... 
Lactium - http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-womens-anti-stress-for... 

Canine therapeutic dosage: 
Suntheanine - 5mg/kg 
Lactium - 15mg/kg 

There are no side effects and the powder is tasteless so you can open the capsules and sprinkle on food if you prefer.  Penny usually gets lactium in the morning and a suntheanine capsule before our walks since we are working on leash aggression issues.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, you didn't mention Stew barking when you're home with him, so it sounds like Stew is objecting to the crate and being left alone.  Finn didn't like his crate one bit once he outgrew the tiny puppy stage so I would gate him in the kitchen with a  Kong or a bone that i would stuff with peanut butter or a bit of liverwurst and freeze. Antlers worked well too.  But as others have said, puppy day care would be fun for Stew and help you get through puppyhood.  Especially since you live in an apartment.  Even a half day will tire him out so he will sleep through the afternoon and give you some peace of mind.  You're doing a wonderful job with Stew and this too will pass if you can combine daycare with training. Enjoy your time away.    

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lots of great advice here.  I think my advice would be to go ahead and get some of these things scheduled.  Sometimes it can take a little while to get a trainer scheduled or get into daycare etc.  You need to have some things working to show the landlord (should the need arise) that you are seriously working on the situation.  You might even, should the opportunity arise, let your neighbor know what you are doing to try and fix the situation.  I agree that he was rude and didn't need to react the way he did, but who knows what his situation is.  Knowing that you are serious about fixing the problem should help or at least can't hurt.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I wouldn't try the bark collar without the guidance of a trainer.  Do you really tire him out with some good exercise in the morning before you leave for work? 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I leave 3 Kongs filled with a mix of cream cheese and kibble and a very long bully stick.  

Sometimes I sprinkle Zuke tiny treats in his crate-figuring that gives him something to do.  I am lucky, though, he seems to just sleep.

We take him to PetSmart day camp at least 2x a week-that assures he will sleep all day, the day after. 

You are a very caring Doodle Mom, and you will figure this out!  

[Jess & Stewart]

I do walk him before work-for about an hour & we play fetch, etc before I leave. I'm not sure if walks really do much for him, or they do tire him but he's stressed and works himself up so he doesn't sleep.

I brought Stew into Petco today with my Dad to get a few things. My dad was having a bad day, he works with a painter and thinks he got an infection from the painted they used this week. Full on flu symptoms, chest congestion etc. So, I was looking at the kong treat balls, my Dad's holding Stew and tried to take him into the bones aisle. He FREAKED out, clawing at the floor, barking, lunging to get to me. My dad pulled him back to him, tried to get him into a sit. Stew jumped up on him, he lightly tapped him on his head (I do not approve, but I understand how unwell my dad felt) and said sit in a calm, but firm voice. He sat immediately, no whining. I need to work on making my voice stronger when issuing commands, sometimes Stew looks at me like "I'm not listening to you short girl". Considering, I was 20 feet away and he freaked, he obviously doesn't want to be away from me.

I got an large treat ball since the KONG I have doesn't fit all of Stew's food. I'm hoping that it'll make it a difference, keep him occupied for longer. I was actually thinking of waiting to feed him breakfast until I leave for work, so he'll need to work for a bit to get the food out. Maybe that & a KONG will help.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hoping these things help keep Stew occupied! I would agree in practicing your deep, loud, "I mean business" voice. Stew needs to know you are the alpha.

[Jess & Stewart]

I fed Stew with the treat ball this morning. It took him almost 12 minutes to get 3/4 of a cup of kibble out. That's definitely better than 4 minutes with his KONG. I'm thinking I'll look on Chewy or Amazon and start getting a collection of different dispensing toys so I can change up the challenge.

I'm a bit confused when everyone talks about stuffing a KONG. I have a large blue puppy KONG, I feel if I stuffed it full with kibble, yogurt, cheese etc, that I'd be overfeeding him. How do you all stuff them?

I'm nervous about leaving him after he's neutered. He'll be neutered on Thursday and I won't be back to work until Monday. That gives us some healing time but I can't help imagining him chewing and getting to the wound while I'm at work. My sister will be here living at a house my mom owns in NJ. I'm actually thinking of having her take Stew for the following week until Friday while I'm working. Unless I'm overthinking and he won't be able to do much with the cone on.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, that might be a good idea if your sister is willing.  Not only will someone be able to keep an eye on him - which is important -- but it may help him a bit with his separation anxiety.  Being a single dog owner, I know how bonded these guys can get :) It will help him in the long run if he gets used to someone else being able to care for him now and then.