Might have to give up Gunner - Owner keeping him

[Mrs.K]

Ask the neighbor if you can come over. That way you can hear how bad it really is and go from there. Offer her to work together with her so you can stop the barking because you want to live WITH them and not start a fight from the beginning.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Weird thought, know it's an apartment but is there anything you can do to soundproof?
soundproofing walls - Google Search
That's just a google search...

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

Weird thought, know it's an apartment but is there anything you can do to soundproof?
soundproofing walls - Google Search
That's just a google search...

Hm... probably not much we could do here -- we can't make any permanent changes without getting permission. And I'd imagine it would probably cost an arm and a leg even if they'd agree to it.
I'll check some of the links out, though. Can't hurt. Weird or not, I wouldn't rule anything out without checking into it.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Have you thought about moving? I did not read the whole thread, I jumped ahead on page 7. There has been some good advice given.

Back to the idea of throwing something at the crate that was vetoed. The dog does not see it coming in a plastic crate or covered wire crate. In the dog's mind the noise happened because of barking and there is no association with people. This ca work, it is on the same wavelength as throw chains or tossing cans with rocks in it behind a dog that is fence fighting. It is an interupter and it can work. I would do it if my dog was getting ready to be re-homed or put down. I would also use a shock collar as a last resort.

I hope this works out for you.

Get a crate and cover it.

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by Kayos and Havoc

Have you thought about moving? I did not read the whole thread, I jumped ahead on page 7. There has been some good advice given.

Back to the idea of throwing something at the crate that was vetoed. The dog does not see it coming in a plastic crate or covered wire crate. In the dog's mind the noise happened because of barking and there is no association with people. This ca work, it is on the same wavelength as throw chains or tossing cans with rocks in it behind a dog that is fence fighting. It is an interupter and it can work. I would do it if my dog was getting ready to be re-homed or put down. I would also use a shock collar as a last resort.

I hope this works out for you.

Get a crate and cover it.

Nope. Moving couldn't be less of an option. We just moved into this place a couple weeks ago.

I didn't want to say anything yesterday because I knew that the minute I did, we'd be back to square one again.

But... I think it's starting to get a little bit better. I've been working on it and have been taking Riley out about twenty times a day. I'm staying close enough that I can hear if Gunner does bark, but not so close that he knows I'm right outside. We're to the point where I can stay out there for 5 - 7 minutes or so, without him barking. There's whining and fussing before we go out and there's whining when we come back in the door -- but no barking. I know that five minutes doesn't sound like much, but given the fact that he was barking his head off the minute I stepped out the door and wouldn't stop... I think 5 - 7 minutes of quiet is huge! Especially since that's been the worst situation for him -- my leaving with Riley and him being here alone.

And that's without the bark collar! We put it on him once and, of course, he didn't bark. Then I started seeing the tiniest bit of improvement and figured I'd hold off and see what happens.

I want to work on increasing the time I'm outside and see how long he'll control himself, but I don't want to go too quickly and have a setback.

Now this morning, he did bark twice when I took Riley out, but it was right after I went out the door and that was it. Two barks and he was quiet again.

I don't know if the clomipramine is starting to help, if he's just starting to feel more secure here or what, but I'm thrilled beyond belief! We have five minutes' worth of progress! And if we have five, we can get to ten, fifteen, twenty, etc. There's hope.

[GSDSunshine]

Yay! I'm so glad you are getting some progress. Mr. Gunner will eventually learn he can survive in his home without you for a while. Keep up the hard work and keep us updated.

I meant to add have you started trying to use a crate? So he has a little place all his own. lol

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by GSDSunshine

Yay! I'm so glad you are getting some progress. Mr. Gunner will eventually learn he can survive in his home without you for a while. Keep up the hard work and keep us updated.

I meant to add have you started trying to use a crate? So he has a little place all his own. lol

I'm just so happy, you have no idea! (Well, on second thought, yeah - you probably do! lol.)

The progress, itself, isn't much but it's enough to convince me that this might just be do-able. I'm not ready to celebrate just yet -- I know we aren't out of the woods (not even close) and it's still going to take a lot of time and a lot of work, but like I said - the fact that I'm seeing the tiniest bit of progress tells me that we can get there.

I haven't introduced a crate yet. I can't find one! I wanted to get the airline type because I think they'd probably be a little safer for him than the wire kind. I found one online at Petsmart, I think (or maybe Petco) but the reviews said that the door pin is so flimsy, the dog can escape with little effort.
Is there a particular brand of airline crate that's well-made??

[Karin]

I have the furrarri 550 crate and it's been really good for Heidi. Very well made and sturdy.

We're keeping fingers and paws crossed that Gunner continues to improve in the separation anxiety department. It can be done! Just hang in there and be patient. It sounds like you're doing everything you can for him. Keep up the good work!

[frenchie27]

I would try every possible option prior to giving him up. It is amazing to see the amount of dogs being given up now days, please try everything before you do that. At least it seems it's improving a bit. Leave each day a minute more and before you know it you will have been gone for hours and he'll be fine. They will do their best also as long as they stay with their family. Thanks for the hard work!!! Good luck and keep us posted.

[aubie]

Originally Posted by Doubleminttwin

I'm sure you've tried it so ignore me if its repeat advice or silly, but when Baya was a puppy she had the same problem, our neighbor told us about her barking all while we were gone. So we had to work with her. We used a bedroom, we would say be good and then leave, she would bark like crazy and howl and make all sorts of non doggy noises (lol) but the second she stopped, even if it was just to catch her breath, we went back in the bedroom with treats and love. Then we would leave again. Eventually she caught on that only when she was quite would we come back. After she got the point we extended the amount of time and now we have no problems with her barking it took about a week but she got it.

I'd like to reiterate this way of training...not just leaving the dog in the room, turning up the TV and hoping they quiet down, but actually rewarding the desired behavior.

Even try it on a leash/fenced area. Where the dog can see you, if they bark you walk away ignore them, the second they quiet you go and give affection/reward, barking starts and you walk away again. Although this may take time, but can work. Good luck!