I got a really tough case yesterday. A woman said that her two dogs bark every
time their door opens and closes, and that kids and neighborhood people are in
and out all the time. She tried a shock collar, but didn't like her dogs'
reaction. She wasn't interested in attending the one-hour Minimizing Barking
Workshop (we're too busy!). The dogs stop barking right away, so they don't
really have a barking "problem." She just doesn't want them to do what dogs
are supposed to do - alert for intruders. The citronella collar is too
expensive.

In other words, "I want a cheap pill that magically fixes this thing that isn't
badly broken in the first place."

Aargh.

Anyway, the only thing I could think of to advise is to try to desensitize the
dogs to the door opening and closing. I said to set aside a day when you do
NOTHING but come in and out, in and out, in and out. No fuss, just in and out
the door. So that after several hours, perhaps the dogs would be so bored with
the door that they'd lay on the floor and whisper, "Boof." :}

Of course, she said she didn't have time to do this. So I suggested employing
all those kids who come in and out all day anyway. At THIS, she brightened.
She wouldn't have to do any work herself.

I told her that if it didn't work, come back in and talk to me.

Any other ideas? She tried water pistols and penny cans.

PetsMart Pet Trainer
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Last updated June 27 at 10:00 a.m.