Apartment living with a dog: question

[KellyC]

Hi all,
I have an adorable shi tzu named Mookie. He is adorable, but noisy at night when others are trying to sleep. I am gone a lot in the daytime, so he sleeps, naturally. But, I am constantly getting complaints from the office of my apartment building, and something has got to be done. I have a tranquilizer (mild) for him so he sleeps at night but I don't like using it because I don't like medicating him for reasons that suit other people. (I don't hear the barking because I take a medication to help ME sleep.) The police are constantly coming here, and I am afraid I am going to be asked to move. (I will not get rid of him. :D) Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get him quieted down naturally or how I could train him that its time to sleep when I go to sleep. (Hard, I realize.) I am going crazy with all the complaints. Please help. Thank you.

[chelone]

sounds like mookie needs more exercise during the day to tire him out. check into dog daycares in your area. i've worked in one and have had dogs in them. the dogs have a great time and they're exhausted when they get home.

[Cry Tears]

KellyC....Its been a few weeks since you posted about your little dog barking too much....what ever happened? Did you find a solution to all this?
Am just wondering how things turned out. Hope all is well and you still have your furbaby still with you.
I was wondering if putting him in a closet at night....door closed if that would keep him quieter? If worse case scenario....having to get rid of your dog....I'd move. I have heard of making them a barkless dogs by cutting the vocal cords. I could never imagine doing this...but would as a last resort if it meant being able to keep him around. I know I'll get a lot of flack over this statement! but hey....I said only as a last resort.
Just wanted to know what happened with your Shitzu!
Sometimes you just can't shut them up...some like to bark their heads off! I know my Scotties could bark up a storm! Thankfully we live out in the boonies and no one around to hear them.
Blessings, cheryl

[gigglebabe]

Well I have a huge Great Dane who's bark is way more noisy than a lil dog like yours....I had to go to a brass pro shop and buy a shocker collar to break him from barking and going off at everyone who walked near our house. It took one time. That was it. I put the collar on him, he barked, it shocked him, he whimpered, and barked again, and stopped. Now when someone is coming over and I know it, I put the collar on in advance, and he never barks. It has also calmed him down when they are here, he doesn't jump and go off like he normally would. It's been a wonderful thing. The last time someone came over I just showed it to him, I didn't put it on, and he went to lay on his bed. He knows what it is, and doesn't want it on, so he was good. I love it!! Now we don't use it...but it's there should we need to...but it broke him from the barking and going on.

Debbie

[Buttons2]

This is an interesting problem-what did you end up doing? I'm thinking the apartment manager might just solve the problem for you!

As far as big dog barks versus little dog barks....I have a little mutt that barks FIRST & is the hardest to make stop (terrier mix), then my BIG mutt lets go & he can be heard all over the neighborhood! Lucky I live in the country & all the neighbors have dogs also....they all join in the chorus!

I'm fortunate to be home nearly 24/7 with my dog, I rescued him last spring,now he is getting so attached to me that he goes bonkers when I do go somewhere, I suspect he whines & carries on when I'm gone.

The only suggestion I would have is to get a companion for your dog, I don't think they like to be alone anymore than people do. Or take to doggie daycare if possible.

Hope you found a solution!

[lor]

I know this is old but this is the 1st time I looked at this thread. I also just looked at another which led me to another link and I thought of this one and that it might help, if needed http://www.puplife.com/dogcaretips/training-talk-barking.html