How do i stop the dog from barking when we leave the house?

Question

whenever the dog is left alone in the house he barks like crazy, and we cant get him to stop.

our neighbour has complained twice to the council and has come around raising his voice.

we've tried giving him a god run before and wearing him out, giving him special toys, or something to occupy him. he cant have treats cos he's allergic to everything except his special food.

does anyone have any ideas on what we can do?

Answer 1

Have you tried takeing the dog with you sometimes. Don't take him if he is already barking before you leave the house. But take him every once and a while. Show him your not forgeting about him.

Don't give him toys for something you don't want.

Also have you tried getting another dog. You may not like it. But he may be barking because he is alone with no one to play with. Dogs are pack animals and don't like being left alone. They will get scared or worried when left alone. They will start to think you left them forever. Maybe if you got another dog, a hyper playful one he wouldn't bark so much.  

Answer 2

Give him a toy, Run him, Citronella Dog Collar

Answer 3

get a muzzle, and put it on him, it should make him be quiet

Answer 4

As another person said, your dog is probably suffering from separation anxiety.  There is a way for you to correct this on your own, but it will take a lot of persistence.  

Your dog most likely starts getting anxious right as you are about to leave the house.  The dog knows the routine - you gather your belongings, put on your shoes, and head for the door.  If your dog perks up and watches you intently while you are doing this, then he is starting to worry and this is the beginning of his anxiety.

Go through the routine of getting ready to leave the house.  Gather your things, put on your shoes, and walk toward the door.  Walk away from the door, put your things away, and wait.  Repeat the process of "getting ready to leave" until your dog appears to become disinterested.  He needs to be accustomed to you leaving, and desensitization is the only way.  You can go a step further by walking out the door, closing it, then walking right back in.  When you enter the house, do not give your dog any attention.  He is most likely in a frenzy and trying to get all the attention he can, and being praised is reinforcing the barking, anxious behavior.  Wait until he calms down, then you can pet him calmly.

Good luck!

Answer 5

he's afraid you're not coming back. first, you need to find treats. They make hypo-allergenic ones. I like royal canin apple and carrot treats.

You need to do your regular routine when you leave home. Play with him, crate him whatever, and give him a treat. say bye, and lock the door. Leave for ten minutes, and come back. Praise the dog, and play some more. Leave again. Keep doing this increasing the time you are gone with each trip. Once the dog realizes you are coming back and you aren't just leaving him there then he will be relieved, and be quiet.

Answer 6

Electric bark collar. Dogtra.com!!

Answer 7

    Dogs that cry and howl and bark are sad, bored and lonely...JUST LIKE PEOPLE..they can go into depression.Your dog is SAD!!!! Get another dog for it to spend time with  him all day while you are out...That way the dogs can run around the house together and keep wach other company..

EVER spend a boring long weekend trying to figure out what to do with yourself?? Dogs cry and howl and bark when they are  SAD too.

We rescued a  dog who had  been left all day in a small  bathroom.from morning til nite..It was horrible to hear it cry as we would walk our dogs in the morning and afternoon..

She could hear everybody outside the bathroom window walking their dogs on the leash. and would howl and cry..

She became our  wonderful, faithful, fun, dog when the owners threw her at us at a yard sale...She was  so grateful to have a family who made time for her and loved her..

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Please don't punish your dog (shock collars or muzzle, which should never be left on an unattended dog ever!) for trying to communicate his misery to you. Dogs vocalize when left alone in an attempt to call the 'pack' back together. Try learning about separation distress/anxiety and ask your vet for help. Medications (which I don't recommend lightly) and/or homeopathic remedies to help calm your dog may help while you are working on the counterconditioning part of the training.

DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) helps some dogs remain calm in stressful situations (but is best used in conjunction with training).

Answer 9

wow.  yur in a tough spot.  since you already tried runnin him ragged and he can't have special treats.....yur next option is to get a mild type of doggy chill pill from yur vet.  he is suffering from separation anxiety.  good luck.  

Answer 10

Sounds as though your dog is suffering a severe case of separation anxiety.  I suggest contacting a behavior specialist, or find someone who can come in and sit with your dog when your not home.  Maybe a doggie day care.

Please don't put a muzzle on him or any of these other crazy suggestions your getting...his stress level is high enough already!  He must learn that when you leave...your going to come back.  It's a long process..but you can start by going out the door and come right back in...so he can see that when you leave, your going to come back.  Lengthen the time your out little bits at a time...each time treating him when you come in, so he learns to associate your being gone with getting treats when you come back.  Seperation anxiety is a very hard issue to correct!