Crates great BUT!!!!!

Was just told by a neighbor (living in apartments) that she is barking while I am gone. Don't know what to do. She can smell me out in the hall so hard to do fake trips out for training. Thinking of putting her in the bed room there I can shut the door and there isn't anyone but below and I am home by a reasonable time, I would rather correct the problem. Can you help? Please I am in much need so as not to get into trouble over the matter. She is cairn terrier mixed dog.

[teko]

My sister had this problem with her little dog. Some dogs are just yappy by nature. She purchased a barking collar from Walmart and it seems to have cured the problem.

[daffy2]

i had same problem, but what i did was go out of the door with atreat and if she barked i would open door and shake a bottle with water and sqirt it close to her but not at her . then when i went back out and she didnt bark i would give her a treat, and very quickly she just waited without barking and i had neighbours let me know,if she did or didnt, you will find though that your dog will most probally stay near the door so make sure you have a little bed there, i  hope this helps lots of luck,

[Jaybay]

You have to make your departure a pleasant thing rather than something to be avoided.  First, make sure you walk your dog.  The cardinal rule for barking dogs is "A Tired Dog is a Good Dog!"  

You're working with Mother Nature by using the walk for this purpose.  Wild dogs wake up, stretch, relieve themselves, get something to eat - which means walking and running quite a while - and then sleep for a few hours.  Repeat.

Don't make a big production out of leaving with a lot of talking and excitement or even fear that your dog will bark.  That just makes the impression that there really IS something for your dog to worry and bark about.

Leave something to keep your dog occupied.  A hollow Kong toy works great if you fill it with cheese or a mix of cheese, lunchmeat and/or kibble - just something you dog really likes.  Freeze it overnight and give it to your dog when you leave.  Again, no excitement and no talking.  Just put the Kong in the room you want your dog to stay in and quietly go out the door.  Since the food mixture is frozen, it will give your dog a couple of hours to concentrate on the problem of getting it out of the toy, which means - no barking!

Crates are often misused.  A dog should spend no more than 8 hours TOTAL in a crate during any 24-hour period.  If you absolutely must crate your dog while you are gone as well as at night, hire a dog walker to come take her out in the morning and afternoon.  You might check with your vet to see if any of his techs would be interested in taking on the job, or know someone else who is responsible and trustworthy.

Your best bet is to hire a veterinary behaviorist, but I know they can be pretty expensive. Good luck, and don't give up!