For Those Members With Dogs - How Do You Not Get Distracted?

[TurricanII]

I have a 120ft x 60ft garden. Business is good for me. I can't really complain.

Sorry, my post was directed at the original poster - if business is good for them then may be time to invest in a shed/sanctuary away from the house!

 

[MichaelEC]

No, it's time to invest in some training. You don't ignore the problem by putting it out in the back yard. You fix the problem with training.

 

[allanc]

No, it's time to invest in some training. You don't ignore the problem by putting it out in the back yard. You fix the problem with training.

Don't worry ... I wouldn't put Elena (the dog) outside.
She is on my lap right now and will probably be asleep in 10 seconds .

 

[allanc]

Sorry, my post was directed at the original poster - if business is good for them then may be time to invest in a shed/sanctuary away from the house!

The backyard is not that big.
We are in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) and, IMHO, the weather varies too much to work in a shed all year.
BTW - we both love our dog very much and she is part of the family.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Allan, I work in the garage all year round mate. Admittedly I have a heater down here during the winter months.

 

[allanc]

No, it's time to invest in some training. You don't ignore the problem by putting it out in the back yard. You fix the problem with training.

She is definitely not completely untrained.
Elena (the dog) knows that Dianne is the 'softie' and that I am not a 'push-over' (as the dog sighs and stretches out even further on my lap).
Usually, when she hears me walking down the hallway she:
- Jumps from her position on the couch with the doggie TV to another couch further away.
- Lies down
- When I get close she submits, turns on her back and wags her tail
... usually.

 

[allanc]

Allan, I work in the garage all year round mate. Admittedly I have a heater down here during the winter months.

She would rather be with Dianne.
I am not sure if you are suggesting that I take the dog out to a shed with me
or
the shed would be a way for me to remove myself from the distraction?

 

[allanc]

@allanc, do you have things like Kong toys?

If so, buy one just to try for now. Fill it up, with anything from their food, a little bit of peanut butter smeared on the inside, to jars of meat paste, to bananas.. Stick it in the freezer, let it go rock hard, then when you want to work, and not your 'allowed' to for want of a better expression give your dog the kong.

This will certainly keep it quiet for a good 20-30 mins.

Some alternatives include.
Fresh frozen pigs trotters.
Frozen dog bones. (We never give our dogs ANY cooked bones. Only fresh. Reason being that the chemical composition alters durIng the cooking process. Yes that even includes fresh chicken carcasses!.

Learn to use a clicker, and do some clicker training. Basically ignore the bad, reward the good.
Dog barks, ignore it. Dogs quiet, click and treat. After a while start putting a cue to the quiet behaviour.

It certainly sounds like your dog is getting bored or anxious. I certainly don't mean this in a derogatory way.

Did you know that just 10 mins of mental training. (Which can include some obedience work, and when that's mastered, start doing some tricks) is the equivalent of a 5 mile walk to your dog.

It seems like barking is your dogs way of releasing this lent up energy.

I know all the above through personal reasons, which I can't go into on a public thread. But feel free to pm me, and I can go into details.

I do dog training (well agility training) of a weekend, when we aren't competing, and these are some of the tricks I use with my dog.

Hope this helps you some.

Will pm you Nige.

 

[Paul Hattie]

Yes, this is real - please read!
So, I have an office in our house and a barky/yappy dog.
My office is on the same floor as the doggy TV (large amount of windows at the front of the house).
There is no where else in the house to move my office.
My better-half will definitely not give up the dog.
Blinds, drapes, etc. only slow her (the dog) down for a bit in terms of the barking.
I (not that anyone cares) am fairly easily distracted by the high pitched barking.
I also can't work with music near me.
I have closed my office door which only slightly alleviates the problem.
A closed door and ear plugs are even better but I obviously can't talk on the phone.
Has anybody else had this problem in the past and found a solution?
Thank you in advance!

Get used to the noise, or put your dog outside...

 

[allanc]

The only time I will not take them out, is during thunderstorms, and fireworks.

Molly really shuts down at thunderstorms, and hides behind a couch. But when we know one is due to arrive, I put a thundershirt on her. This has a calming effect.

Fireworks is a major major no, no. Shut down is not in it. She hides, shakes, and will not come out. Even with her thundershirt on her.

Whilst Kooky on the other hand, will sit outside, watching the fireworks, with her head tilting from side to side, as if to say, awww pretty colours.

She really cracks me up. This is Molly, doing what she loves best.
View attachment 6179

This is Kooky, following in Molly's footsteps.

View attachment 6180

Oh no.
You just brought back some loving memories.
I used to own a border collie (Karl).
He had very similar colouring to Molly.
The owner was 'grooming' him to be a herding champion.
We bought him at 2 years.
The trainer knew he had everything he needed to be a champ except the desire.
So, she tried for 2 years before finally 'giving up'.
To me, he was the 'perfect' dog ... except for the shedding.
Karl is now 14 and living with my 'ex' in Calgary.
Needless to say that I miss him everyday.

 

[allanc]

Get used to the noise, or put your dog outside...

I am certainly trying to get used to the noise.
I was kind of hoping that someone would suggest some sort of easy and inexpensive way of soundproofing the door.
Or, perhaps a sound machine (white, brown or whatever) that would suppress the noise.
Actually, I prefer to have the door open due to ventilation.

 

[GTP]

You do know that "DOG" spelled backwards is "GOD!"

 

[4ycr]

I like Victtoria Stillwell's methods so here are a couple of videos to see if they help

 

[allanc]

I like Victtoria Stillwell's methods so here are a couple of videos to see if they help

I will take a look.
Thanks.

 

[callthatgirl]

My dog was with me all day next to me in the home office. He got really used to how I worked, weird to say but as soon as I didn't talk on the phone for a period of time, he knew I was done with work and wanted to play. I didn't have to train him, soo.....a thought might be to have him right there in the office with you. Just saying it worked for me.