The best thing you can do is attend an obedience class with your dog. They will help you through barking and many other behaviors.

First of all, why are you allowing your dog outside unsupervised?? This is a recipe for problems that you will never know about (unless neighbors complain).

My guess is your dog is either board or suffering from separation anxiety. Getting a collar to stop barking is cruel. You must realize that the reason the dog is barking uncontrollably is because you are allowing it. This situation by no means is the fault of your dog. It's YOURS.

I suggest a trainer. If things have been going on for an extended period of time as you indicate, you all need someone who can get this thing under control, lest you really *&%$ off your neighbors worse than they already are.

Good luck!

SG

I don't particularly have an answer, but I can tell you that an obedience class does not necessarily have the answers. They have answers, but not necessarily to your questions.

Are you barking? If you are, it is your fault. I am sorry to disagree, but if the dog is barking, it is the dog's fault. You are coming here for help, not to be reprimanded. At least I think you don't get your thrills by being put down.

I think this is tough if your dog is 8 years old, and you have just found out. Have you asked your Vet about it? Does your Vet know your dog's history?

If you need to be gone frequently, and if your dog is in fact bored, have you considered getting a companion? You say you have a large yard. We have always had two dogs (sometimes three) and that is a good solution for us.

Perhaps some others have some suggestions.

Sammy

Crate training!
It helps with separation anxiety and will keep your neighbors from being disturbed.

Give the dog lots of exercise daily too.

Getting another dog will just result in two dogs barking while you are gone.

I work from home and am surrounded by barking dogs.....

There is a dog down the street who barks incessantly and last Sunday when I was working in my yard, the man who lives behind me said to his wife that he was going to toss recalled dog food over the fence to this dog. He didn't know I was outside and could hear him. Now, he may have been kidding. He is a dog owner himself but....Many dogs are poisoned by neighbors frustrated by barking.

I thought the link on Cynthia's post was interesting. I don't know if my suggestion would result in two dogs barking or not, but I do know that in our neighborhood we have strict ordinances. Dogs are not allowed to disturb people. Fortunately I have a breed that does not tend to bark like some do.

Dogs aren't allowed to disturb people here either but there is no enforcement. Animal Control has you download a letter and mail it to the dog owner yourself. No follow up, no fines, no nothing else.

Neighbor across the street had a dog that was outside 24/7 and barked constantly at the front of their fence, at anything that moved including people in their own yards several houses down.

So, they got another dog to keep it company and now there are two dogs barking at anything that moves at all hours of the day or night.

Ours enforces the ordinance, but everyone hates to call the police. I wonder why people like your neighbor don't build a smaller fenced in area with fencing products you cannot see through.

The issue as presented is complex, involving a dog left alone for extended periods of time, upset neighbors, a terrier which breed can be a bit more determined than say poodles, and a history of practicing the behavior so it is well reinforced. There is not a magic or quick solution, and an in-person trainer in a class can provide faster, more relief and support than slow Q and A via the net.

I can tell you that an obedience class does not necessarily have the answers. They have answers, but not necessarily to your questions.

A good trainer will help address the individual issues of the animals and owners. Recent obedience class are not just about heeling. Ask the trainer about the particular problem before you sign up for the class.

I am sorry to disagree, but if the dog is barking, it is the dog's fault.
Nobody's fault at all. Dogs are designed to bark, loud and long. Obedience class can help educate how to manage behaviors in general. Rarely is there a step-by-step method that resolves any one behavior.

You are coming here for help, not to be reprimanded.
Again, no reprimand. Class is the best investment you can make for your dog and yourself. Worked for us on our stubborn, free-thinking Husky dog.

I also have to disagree. If a dog is a barking, it's the owners fault, and they should be doing everything in their power to stop it.

Dogs are designed to bark, loud and long.

You could just as easily argue that dogs are "designed" to bite...they have sharp pointy teeth, after all, and plenty of them try to use them. An owner who doesn't curtail that behavior certainly is at fault if a dog bites someone -- in the eyes of the law. Noise can be extremely harmful if it goes on continually -- it's stressful and debilitating, and personally, I do think an owner is "at fault" if they allow it to happen. And slowly, very slowly, some laws are starting to catch up with that idea. Not fast enough, in my opinion.

An owner who doesn't curtail that behavior certainly is at fault if a dog bites someone
Good point. Yes, they can be risky animals. Worth it. :)

And yes, I agree an owner is entirely responsible for their animals' behaviors. I meant more it is not entirely my fault if my animal starts to be objectionable, but it certainly is my fault if I allow it to continue.

If I came across as reprimanding, I'm sorry. I did not mean it that way. However, if the dog bit someone, it would be the owners fault. If the dog pooped on neighbors lawn and was not picked up after, it's the owners fault. If the dog chewed up a prize rose worth $1,000,00 it would be the owners fault. If the dog barks uncontrollably while left unattended, it's the owners fault. Dogs look at their humans as the alpha dog, and one for guidance. If your dog is doing something bad it's because you the owner and alpha dog is allowing it.

Clearly, the overall situation needs help. I can sympathize with neighbors who have tolerated this issue. I have three large dogs, and they never are allowed outside without my supervision. I find dogs barking uncontrollably one of the most annoying things there is, especially when all I want is peace and quiet. I can also sympathize with the owners. This can (is) a situation that is somewhat out of control. I have seen numerous people just let their dogs go uncontrolled because they don't know how to fix the problem, or, they just don't want to.

A qualified trainer, one that comes to the house, should be able to solve this problem. Taking the dog to a class probably won't work....that is not where the problem is, the dog and owner needs to be corrected where the issue is, in the house and back yard.

Good luck!

SG

Thanks to those of you who are trying to be supportive. And SG, I don't know how you can say you didn't mean to sound reprimanding. You did say "This situation by no means is the fault of your dog. It's YOURS"

Maybe I wasn't clear enough in explaining my problem. First of all my dog is in a safe yard and doesn't need supervising for her safety. She is completely content to be in the house with us, or outside when we are home. She apparently is having the barking problem once we leave. I would certainly contact a trainer if this was something that would happen in their presence but how do you teach a dog when it only happens when you are gone. I imagine she hears our car leave and then begins her barking and stops when she hears us return. Again, she doesn't display any of the barking when we are home. I am asking this forum because I don't want my dog to be a problem to my neighbors and if this is a separation anxiety problem, I don't want my dog to be upset either. Any other thoughts?

Hmmm. Dogs should be sleeping when they are not in the presense of their people while in the home. I do notice in my neighborhood that when people leave their dogs in the yard, free to their own devices, they bark incessantly. I would strongly recommend that you don't let the dog stay in the yard unsupervised. If you truly do want to fix this problem without collars or surgery and without a behaviorist then your best bet is to confine the dog in a bedroom or a crate with acceptable chew toys. Most of the time when people don't let their pets stay inside when they are not home is because of destructive chewing. That's why it's important to train your dog when it's a puppy what is ok to chew on and what isn't. Stuffed kongs and other good chewies will help with anxiety but it is not sufficient excercise or mental stimulation for a working terrier.

I have a terrier mix and a bearded collie, both working dogs that need a great deal of excercise and mental stimulation and I'm always trying to figure out new ways to get them worn out. I would suggest a brisk 30 minute walk before you leave for work. That will tire the dog and his senses. Then he goes in his play room to chill until you come home for work at which time he gets another walk to tire him and his senses while you fix supper or whatever.

Knowing that terriers are bred to search for rodents and whatnot and having observed how much mine yearns to dig in search for these critters, I periodically take him to the woods where I let him sniff and dig to his hearts content and it really is a pleasure to watch. I suggest you let your dog have regular opportunities to excerise this instinct that he was bred to have. If a person was trapped in a yard all day, everyday with nothing to do they would be bored out of their minds. Same with dogs.

On days where weather doesn't permit a lengthy walk, or even if it does, I play fetch and tug of war and hide and seek with the dogs. I do so until the ball stops coming back. I run them up and down the stairs for treats until their tongues are dangling sideways out of their mouth. Then I give them a stuffed kong when play time is over and they fall fast asleep. Short durations of this excercise won't impact your lifestyle too much and it will make all the difference in the world to your pet.

You've identified the problem, here are some easy solutions you can put into action today and I hope that helps.

Not long ago, I did call the police because of a barking dog that one of the idiot neighbors left all alone in a kennel outside for a week while they were out of town and the dog whined and cried and howled all day and night. I don't know that it accomplished anthing as the dog continued for days.