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I have a newly aquired dog that I rescued from a pound. She is a boxer mix, and a wonderful dog...except the seperation anxiety.
She whines and barks up a storm when I leave for work. That wouldn't be so bad...if I didn't work 3rd shift, and live in an apartment building.

I've been looking into those ultrasonic bark control collars. Do they work well?
She is a smart dog, so I have faith that she will easily associate the discomfort from the sonic collar to her barking.

Opinions?

I have never used a bark collar so it'll be interesting to see the replies.
As for the seperation anxiety, have you tried leaving treats like a kong stuffed with goodies or any other method to keep her occupied to allieviate the anxiety? It can take some time but with a little patience and training it can be overcome. Does she only do this when you go to work or anytime you leave the house? I think it's great that you rescued an older dog.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

My opinion... they are two different things.

We have two "bark" devices, they are for use only in a barking situation. If the dog is wigged out from seperation anxiety I would think these would be a bad choice and cause the poor dog all sorts of stress and make things worse.

I'd say focus on the seperation anxiety first, that may resolve the issue.

I believe Kathy Diamond Davis has a good article on seperatin anxity at www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47.

tabitha

I would be incredibly reluctant to put a bark collar on a dog with seperation anxiety.

My dog Taiko had/has seperation anxiety when I first got him a year and a half ago. He too was an adult when I took him in and that change caused the anxiety.

Basically, what I did was work with it. He got frozen kongs stuffed with kibble and yougart or chicken broth in his kennel 5 minutes before I left in the morning. By doing it BEFORE I left the house, he was not able to pick up on the cues I was leaving. It kept him quiet and concentrating on the kong instead of me slipping out the door. No, he's not dumb, he did notice when I left and I'd occationally hear a whimper or bark after I shut the door to leave.

On the weekends, I'd do the same routine only there were times when I'd come back into the house after only being gone a few minutes. If he reamained quiet the whole time, he got let out of the kennel and we went about our day as normal. I did not greet him estatically nor make any big deal about my departure or return. I'd open the kennel door and grab the mail and sit down or watch TV. IF I heard him barking, I would not go back inside nor let him out of the kennel.

It's a slow process and not that easy to do sometimes. Yet, I can honestly say I have not heard my dog bark uncontrollably upon me leaving for almost a year now. I still crate him when he's going to be left for long periods of time, but short trips, he's out of the crate.

Good luck with your pup. It takes time, but it does work.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

>>I have a newly aquired dog that I rescued from a pound. She is a boxer mix, and a wonderful dog...except the seperation anxiety.
>>She whines and barks up a storm when I leave for work. That wouldn't be so bad...if I didn't work 3rd shift, and live in an apartment building.
>>
>>I've been looking into those ultrasonic bark control collars. Do they work well?
>>She is a smart dog, so I have faith that she will easily associate the discomfort from the sonic collar to her barking.
>>
>>Opinions?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Separation anxiety is a good bet in this situation, and as someone else noted, I have an article on that at the link below my name, along with one on Barking. Free, of course.

You don't want to use a cheap bark collar of any kind, because some of them will harm the dog. The citronella ones have a decent track record and do not shock the dog. If the ultrasonic ones work with a noise maker, that might not be too bad. A shock ("electronic" collar can create side effects that are worse than the original problem.

But punishment of any kind on a dog suffering from anxiety can backfire, big time. A veterinary behavior specialist can give you a program to work on the problem, and until that has time to work, sometimes medication is helpful. It has to come from a vet (a veterinary behavior specialist is also a vet), and may take time to work, even several weeks. There is also a protocol for working on separation anxiety in the behavior booklet by Patricia McConnell "I'll be Home Soon."

Another option while you work the dog through this problem would be a pet sitter or boarding while you're at work. If third shift means working at night (me, too, LOL), that could make it easier to find a friend or relative who would enjoy having your dog there as a buddy while you're at work. Good security!

Separation anxiety tends to be fairly temporary if you handle it well. These dogs may be susceptible to recurrences later in life, because they will not forget their homeless or shelter or home-changing experiences. They can make some of the very best companion dogs, though, because they will never take you for granted.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I would not use negative training, only use positive. Humans need to learn how to train and not use a crutch that is neg. If you learn to train and attend obedience class and take your dog for several long walks each day, I think this would help. Dogs learn quickly if the owner gets training. Best of luck to you. Sally
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Sally & Trudy