[PyrNet-L] RE: Chat, Behavior: Barking problems

["Matt Rausch" <mrausch@evansville.net>]

I know there were a few people on this list who had used an electric collar
for barking problems.  Could you please let me know if it was successful
(you may post privately to:  mrausch@evansville.net  ).
The problem is Noah.  Noah is my 3 year old neutered male pyr.  He has
started barking (big surprise, I know).  In the past this hasn't mattered
much because he only barks during the day (nighttime barking would disturb
his sleep) and he always barks when an unknown person is in the neighborhood
or any truck.  This was never too much of a problem before because this was
never much traffic around our small little suburb.  A few months ago,
however, my neighbor started a decorating/renovation business in her home
(this is legal and she's a friend and there is no problem with this in
itself).  The problem is that there are now contractors (with trucks),
clients, painters, craftsmen, coming and going throughout the day.  Her
house and mine are right next to each other and we are the corner houses at
a curve so my backyard on one side gives a complete view of her front yard,
driveway & walkway.  Noah feels it is his duty to scare off anyone
approaching her house also.  He is barking constantly throughout the day.
This is not fair to my neighbor.  Her office is next to our yard and she has
to hear his barking while trying to work.  She has not complained but I know
it is starting to get to her.  I know some of you have used the citronella
collars but I don't think that will work in this situation for two reasons:
(1)  It is below freezing here and they frequently don't work well in this
weather and (2) Noah is the typical stubborn, stoic pyr.....  he doesn't
even mind bitter apple.  I hate to use a shock type collar on him because it
just doesn't seem fair to punish him for doing the job he was bred to do but
it isn't fair to my neighbors and friends also.  Before you blast me for
getting a pyr while living in the suburbs in the first place may I please
say the following in my defense.  Before I got Noah, I DID research.
Everything I read talked about how great a family pet they were:  friendly,
loving, easily trained, easy to maintain coats, etc.....  The breeder I s/w
and subsequently got Noah from also sold me on the benefits of the pyr.  I
never once read anything about constant barking, massive undercoats on some
dogs that were difficult to keep matt free, etc......   This was all BEFORE
I had internet access and learned these things through this list.  I know I
should have contacted many more breeders before having Noah shippped to me,
but I was ignorant.  I hate the thought that Noah is paying for my
ignorance.  He is a loving dog.  He (unlike many pyrs) has never been a
constant escaper.  We have to keep the gates locked or he will open them up
but when he did he usually walked into the garage to come in or would
saunter next door to visit his dog friend (either the unneutered male lab on
one side or the neutered boxer on the other).  When we go for walks, I can
let his leash go a house before ours and say "Go home Noah, and he goes
home".  He loves being inside but this is not a possibility all day (just
for visits and in the hot summer time).  It is especially not a possibility
during the wet season when he rolls in mud.  My question is, do the electric
collars work and am I being horrible?
Sincerely,
Cheryl R.