Am I a good papa or bad papa?

[Jack Sprat]

I adopted a shelter pet of approximately 2 yrs of age. Living in an apartment, I chose a small breed. She is very loving but is incredibly anxious and barks a bunch, which isn't acceptable in an apartment. I ordered a number of devices including 2 no-bark collars. The ultrasonic devices do not deter her barking. One device sat facing her kennel for when I had to leave her alone. Finally, I had to resort to the auto shock collar as a last resort. It does work, but she yelps when it stings her. I tried it on myself, so I know it stings. I am seeing results as she is changing to a quieter dog, more subdued young dog. She has done extremely well for 2 days since using it. I hope a day comes when I can leave her alone and not have to use the collar at all. She has to be quiet or the neighbors will have us in a world of hurt with the management and one neighbor is a cop.

Then, I won't share human food with her either. She looks at me with sad eyes and cries for my human food. I think she must have been given table scraps in her past. I feel mean, but I know I'm trying to make a permanent home for her and everything I've done has been tough love trying to make things work for us both.

[elleng]

1. good papa, and i wouldnt call what you've done 'tough' love, just love.

thanks

[Jack Sprat]

2. Well thank you, elleng.

I'm certain things are going to get better each day. Appreciate your quick response. Wasn't sure anyone was still up at this time.

[badgerpup]

3. You're being the adult, and you're raising a good dog...

...not a spoiled, dog-shaped 'child'.
It's hard to resist those eyes (I've failed miserably and have raised at least two horrible beggers...for cats:blush:), but human food isn't really good for dogs in most cases.

Good papa! You can haz :hug:





:blush:...They don't get anything that's actually bad for them (e.g., alliums, chocolate, etc), and I do most of my own cooking, but they do enjoy their '______ and cheese', chili, chicken...and the very occasional dollop of vanilla ice cream...although sherbet is OK by them too.

[Jack Sprat]

6. Well thank you so much.

I have tried to follow the advice of the dog experts. In just 2 weeks I've noticed so much progress. I think they know best, even though it seems stern to me at times. But then I have to think that she wasn't a happy dog out of control and barking at everything.

[japple]

4. Have you tried giving her a busy ball/bone for those times when

you have to leave her alone? It's one of those toys that dispenses food when the animal plays with it or chews on it. You can use a small hollow chew bone and stuff it with peanut butter, dry kibble, more peanut butter. Or you can get a chewy toy, like a Kong, and fill it full of dry kibble that will drop out when the toy is rolled around. "The Dog Nanny" Victoria (can't remember her last name) on Animal Planet encourages using things like this for separation anxiety. That way, the dog has something positive to look forward to when you have to leave her alone.

[Jack Sprat]

5. The one time that I left her out of her kennel

when I left home, she created a disturbance and was going beserk. Since then, I have simply left her in her kennel with her blanket. That seems to calm her. She doesn't resist walking into it on her own, so I'm thinking she must have been accustomed to doing that. I could leave a toy inside the kennel or a rawhide bone to chew on.

[Mz Pip]

7. There's a collar

that will give off a puff of citronella when the dog starts barking. I've had a couple of friends who have had very positive results with it. One friend had a very neurotic Maltese that would bark constantly whenever he was left alone. They were in danger of being evicted and gave it a try. It worked.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002D31QU/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4383926415&ref=pd_sl_6p996peaw_b

[Jack Sprat]

9. I saw that collar as well.

I have seen such good results with the shock collar that I'm not sure anything more will be necessary. She has nearly ceased all barking. I'm hoping this leads to not having to use it anymore. Time will tell. She doesn't have a problem at night at all, so I can relieve her of it at night anyway.

[get the red out]

8. So much better than giving up on her

Glad she has someone trying to work with her and give her a home.

[Warpy]

10. When it's a choice between keeping the dog or sending her back to a kill shelter

then the no bark collar is a reasonable solution. It's not forever, she'll pick it up soon enough and then you can put a regular collar on her. Keep the shock collar just in case she forgets from time to time, but most dogs who have them learn to swallow those barks quickly.

Less humane is the surgery to damage vocal chords.

Good for you for giving a pup a home.

[WillParkinson]

11. You're a horrible, horrible man...

How dare you share your love with this obviously ungrateful creature.

(Yes, I'm totally kidding.)

If she was kept by another family before it's incumbent upon you to break the bad habits they've obviously instilled. We're having similar issues with Kory but we live in a house.

However the other day she tried to snatch food from my plate (WHILE I was holding the plate). When I yelled BAD GIRL at her she gave me such a look of sorrow and regret. I felt horrible but still did not share my food (yes I'm wise to puppy eyes).