Don't dog the neighbors during days of summer

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Once upon a time, America's dogs were primarily rural dwellers, working hard to protect family, farm and livestock. With the majority of today's canine population sedately urbanite or suburbanite, old instincts in new settings are causing problems.

The summer season exacerbates this situation when it brings everyone outside to work, play, party... and be tortured by the neighbors' Hounds of the Baskervilles. It's open season on sanity as devil doggies go on the attack.

Fence lines become war zones. Mow the lawn, and DD (devil dog) wildly gallops and barks along. Forget open windows at night. Instead, suck it up or melt down because DD is on patrol, howling and barking at every mosquito buzz or moonlight shadow.

Another creepy canine character stares through Dorian Gray-like eyes that, with the accuracy of a heat-seeking missile, zero in on the kitty next door. The brute's body builder frame freezes in place. A cat whisker twitches as Dorian repeatedly body slams the fence in hopes of a feline feast.

A pint-sized terrier springs up and down on pogo-stick legs while emitting yelps shrill enough to strip paint. The yoyo frenzy continues until her owner gently scoops her up and carries her into the house.

Miner, purportedly a retriever, must also be part prairie dog. With calloused paws and calculating efficiency, he burrows through Colorado's rocky soil with the ease of a muscled-up rototiller. And...under the fence he goes! He's especially partial to Sam, the nice, tall animal control officer who knows him by name and carries a cache of dog treats.

At the neighbor's annual big barbecue, Stretch the hound gleefully greets each guest with a hearty nose thrust to the crotch or massive paws to the shoulders. As guests sink to the ground or haplessly attempt to disengage his snoopy snout, Stretch's owner witlessly smiles and says, "Oh, he just does that. Want a brat? Beer?"

For every problem there's a cause and a cure. One cause of barking is relocation to a different neighborhood. Often the first thing newly moved humans do is turn their dog loose in the back yard. The dog sees and scents unfamiliar creatures. Instinct tells Fido, "These nasties aren't part of my pack." The reaction is "bark, bark, bark!"

Canines respond to body language, vocal tone and volume. Human words in and of themselves mean nothing sans consequences. Urgent pleas of, "No, no, no! Bad dog, stop it, get down, quit, quit, quit!" might as well ring out, "Sugar donut, sugar donut! Evenings news, go to Sweden, LOL, jump the couch, mow the lawn, swim, swim, swim!"

However, a sharp, "No!" accompanied by firm collar and leash correction repeated until the desired result is achieved does the trick.

One trainer, Louise Kuipers of the Dog Club of Fort Collins, offered suggestions for dealing with chronic barkers.

"Alleviate boredom," Kuipers said. "A tired dog is a good dog." Forty-five minutes to an hour of daily exercise will keep a dog fit and quiet.

Kuipers said that bark (shock) collars or citronella (spray) collars only discourage some animals. Usually, the owner must go out and work with a dog at the scene of the crime. It's a long process to stop barking. As with all issues, structure, stimulation and discipline are needed, said Kuipers.

If a dog jumps fences, Kuipers advised a first line of defense: be sure the barrier is secure and tall enough to contain the critter. Add a top piece that slopes inward. The pet's life is at stake should it dart out into traffic. Crate or put the animal inside when alone.

"Dogs should never be left to fend for themselves," said Kuipers. And, of course, spay or neuter to discourage roaming. Hormones can effortlessly lift Fido or Fidette over that fence.

Joe Clingan, a nationally recognized trainer of police dogs, owns Fort Collins Protection Dogs and Training Inc. in Wellington. He addressed the fence issue by advising use of an electric collar initially adjusted at a low setting. If the dog only escapes when the owner goes off-property, Clingan said to have a friend drive off in the owner's vehicle to initiate the behavior. The owner can then implement the remote shock collar. Clingan is adamant about the deadly potential of roaming dogs vs. vehicles. He advised witnesses notify animal control. A $150 fine will motivate lax owners to train their roving Rovers.

Dogs that slam or aggressively patrol fences must be controlled. Clingan said that 75 percent of all pet dogs he retrains are aggressive, regardless of cause. Breed can have something to do with it, as can traumatic puppyhood experiences.

"Aggressive behavior, if not addressed, will get worse," Clingan advised. "If you don't correct it, you'll end up in court."

Clingan tells owners to set up a situation that causes the problem in order to train the dog in the correct response. Use a remote training collar or long line (he prefers 30 feet) with a slip chain for regular correction or a pinch collar with prongs for harsh correction. (A pinch collar improperly adjusted, however, can harm the dog). As soon as the behavior is exhibited, correct the dog and reinforce until rectified.

Clingan attributed most unsocial canine behavior to lack of attention, lack of work and bad experiences. Clingan also advised owners to study breed characteristics for clues to bad habit potential. For example, working breeds carry a strong prey drive and need something to do or they'll destroy the house.

Doggie day care and dog walking are options. Aeric Luciano has owned Critter Sitter Pet Care since 2003. His services include 25-minute walks topped off with fresh water and a biscuit. Clients often comment that their dogs become better behaved and less destructive, and puppies have fewer accidents in the house with the service.

Elizabeth Wilbanks is owner of Good Dogs Forever. She has worked with numerous behavior problems, one of which is digging. Wilbanks said most dogs outgrow digging by age 2. Causes for continuance can be a mineral search, remedied with diet supplements, or boredom. She uses a Kong toy with frozen wet dog food inside that acts as a pacifier for up to one and one-half hours. Or, if possible, use treats, such as smoked sausages, as a reward after introducing the dog to a fenced off area where it is OK to dig. Then proceed to the yard and reprimand the dog if it digs there. Repeat until pooch gets the idea of good and bad excavation sites.

Harsh reality dictates that dogs owners, not animal control or frustrated neighbors, should take responsibility for preventive or remedial action for misconduct. If an owner hasn't time to work with a pet or hire a trainer's services, perhaps he or she does not have time to own a dog. The animal, owner and neighborhood would all benefit from re-homing the dog with another person.

A disciplined, well-behaved dog is a happy, well-adjusted dog that's a year-round joy for all concerned