[columbia_beagle_mom]

We've tried traditional methods to control our 4 year old Beagle's barking and howling, and nothing is working! As the months go by, in fact, he is getting worse. He doesn't bark inside the house, but when we let him outside, he starts howling loudly and for long periods of time. We are looking at getting a bark collar and since there are so many kinds, we wanted to seek advice in which one to get! Spray, shock, etc...

 

[cobismom]

I won't use any of those collars on my boys, bark comes with the dog and we have learned how to control that part of their behavior to the point of acceptance. But in the meantime, we have been told that the citronella collars are the most humane if you must use one.....

 

[columbia_beagle_mom]

Thanks Cathy,
Please understand this isn't our wish, but we had to move into a rental as we lost our home recently. We'll be evicted if we can't control his barking... We wanted to get the citronella one-as it is seems to be the most humane-but the Petco lady told us it might not be successful with beagles. That's why I cam here for advice-to ask people who have beagles!

 

[cobismom]

Good thought. Sorry to hear about your house, that's very tough and sad. I am surprised you found a rental that would take dogs...we are hoping to be able to move this summer to a different rental but very hard where we are at to find places that will take any pets.

As for the collar, you have to do what you have to do. As I see it, it's the dog or a home...so try and find the most humane one that you can. Is there something or someone in the yard or vacinity that is causing him to bark like crazy. Do you go out with him? Maybe putting him on a leash out in the yard, and snapping it when he barks, and giving him orders to stop....would help too.... just a thought.

Good luck...you are right it has to be done....

 

[columbia_beagle_mom]

He doesn't seem to bark at people very often, just when they are walking by. I'm not too bothered about that-he's just protecting his family! It's his howling that is getting us in trouble. When we let him outside, he does his business and then starts to howl. When we leave for the day, we are supposed to put him in a kennel (landlord's rules) or locked in the garage. He will immediately start to howl and bark as we go out the door, and will continue to do so every 30 minutes to an hour after. He's so much like my son, that I think he just gets lonely, but we can't take him to work with us-as much as he wants to go!
When he does it when we let him outside while we're home, I will open the door and yell "no bark!" I won't let him inside until he scratches at the door-which is how he should ask to come in-not by howling. When he scratches, I will let him in and praise him.
We were lucky to find a place to take pets! In fact, we ended up moving to a different area, where a lot of the places take pets. Might be because it's a college town!?

 

[RosCole]

That is a tough situation. I think positive reinforcement and a lot of no-bark training while you are home might help. Maybe a trainer?

Sorry I can't offer any advice on this but I do wish you good luck!

 

[Bailey]

anit-bark

I have spent over $200.00 on anit-bark devices for my Beagle and not one of them has worked. However, I went to the $ store & picked up a small spray bottle. Now I carry it in my pocket when we go outside and all he has to feel is a light spray along with the command NO and he stops. He tries so hard and sometimes makes a muffled mmmumff sound, but has improved immensely. Save your money on all the other devices out there.:happydance:

 

[dudley]

we had pretty good luck with the shock ones. til E.B. chewed it up anyway. an occasional shock may seem cruel but compared to losing your dog or being evicted it may be worth it. i have worn the collar and it is not pleasant but it wont harm them. besides if the dog is smart they wont be shocked more than a couple times. I also use an electric wire to keep my dogs from digging under the fence. none of them have been shocked more than twice, now i dont even turn it on but they wont test it. when i first installed it i had to make sure it was working when i left for work which involved touching it, so I got shocked more times than the dogs ever did.

 

[BergenandLizzy]

Do you have another dog? If not, maybe he is bored and lonely. Beagles are very pack oriented dogs and don't do well left alone. Could you try taking him to a doggy day care a couple of times a week or once a week?

 

[ebai]

this one is tough... it could be because he's just not familiar with his new surroundings. I've never had to deal with it personally, but I typed in "dog adjust to new environment" in google, and a bunch of helpful sites/blogs and articles are listed.

I agree with RosCole on this one. A lot of positive reinforcement! Good Luck!

 

[Mollys Mom]

We are currently using a bark collar for Molly and it is really working. She is slowly understanding that one or two barks are okay but not crazy barking at the window. I have the citronella type and have the time we don't even have it switched on. The do make one that just sprays air too. But you do have to work with them too, let them know when they are good and never use the collar as a punishment. I would never use a shock collar either. We did take her for training and she aced all the training except for the barking! We have had her collar for about a month and its great so far.

 

[paddington4]

I know shock collars seem inhumane but all it takes is one shock and they learn not to do whatever you are trying to control... I would not keep the collar on the animal at all times... just when going outside. Dudley did you have the collar on your dog all the time... cuz thats not good to do... you probobly would still have the collar and it wouldnt have gotten chewed up lol

 

[dudley]

no, just at night for a couple hours til the neighbors put their dogs inside.
he learned very quickly and has retained it well. although he does still bark if a possum or raccoon get in the yard he generally quiets right down when i holler at him.

 

[ljas]

There are muzzles that will prevent barking. They are constructed so that the dog can drink, but cannot open their mouths wide enough to bark or howl loudly. I've never used one, but my neighbor has used them as a temporary measure as part of a program to teach a dog to be quieter.