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I've got a 3 yr old female GSD who is not spayed...yet.
Whenever I leave her in the back yard she barks at the neighbors dog through the privacy fence. Any suggestion how I can stop this?

By the way, I know other dogs do this but titled my question that way because that's the type of dog I have.
Thanks, Frank

I feel it's best not to leave dogs outdoors unsupervised, even in a fenced yard. So many things can happen, some very bad. What I do when my dogs bark at a dog next door--or at anything else when they are outside--is to call the dog to me. I give petting, praise, and a few tosses of a ball or treats. Then I release the dog.

If the dog goes back and barks again, I call again and run through the same routine. I had one dog who was very extreme in this behavior--it was downright scary. At first I had to do the routine, I kid you not, SEVEN times! But it worked! Before long, she would bark once or twice and then look at me, knowing I would call her.

Do not get mad or punish the dog in any way if you have to bring the dog to you again--and again! The reason this method is so extremely effective is that the barking raises the dog's adrenaline level, and that is actually addictive. Calling the dog, when the dog comes to you the adrenaline drops. It is dramatically beneficial to the dog in more than one way.

If your dog doesn't come when called when excited, you have serious, vital training to do. Use a long line--it may be necessary to use it for 6 weeks, every time you call the dog. The dog has to form the habit of coming when called.

Also, spay/neuter does help behavior in many cases. It can help health, too, and even save dog's lives. So that's something to seriously consider.
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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

ok,I'll give it a shot. My dog comes to me when I call her with no problem. Once someone walked in our back yard and in mid chase (because they ran) I called her and she came back to me. I've got a great dog. That incident happened before the fence was put up.

I've got a local agency asking me to donate her to become a drug tracking dog. She passed all the initial tests easily. I was really proud of her. I'm in the of a struggle deciding what to do. It would give her a great working life.

Frank

>>ok,I'll give it a shot. My dog comes to me when I call her with no problem. Once someone walked in our back yard and in mid chase (because they ran) I called her and she came back to me. I've got a great dog. That incident happened before the fence was put up.
>>
>>I've got a local agency asking me to donate her to become a drug tracking dog. She passed all the initial tests easily. I was really proud of her. I'm in the of a struggle deciding what to do. It would give her a great working life.
>>
>>Frank

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

Excellent obedience! So, just call her every time she barks. Look first to see what she's barking at, and then call her. Every time. German Shepherds can develop real problems at fence lines, something you don't want.

That is a difficult decision about the drug tracking job. If it's a good agency and they will make sure she always has a good home, could be great.
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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

Thanks for the reply.

As far as the tracking job for Sasha, I explained to the woman I wasn't sure if I could let my dog go but I'd think about it. She told me to take my time but she's very anxious to work with her.
We will see. I haven't checked out the agency completely. Supposedly, it's a kennel that is owned an operated by a group of ex-K9 cops. They train dogs and put them to work in various positions. She told me the last GSD they trained is working in some US embassy. Sounds interesting. I did mention that if I was to donate her I'd get her spayed first.

Frank

>>I've got a 3 yr old female GSD who is not spayed...yet.
>>Whenever I leave her in the back yard she barks at the neighbors dog through the privacy fence. Any suggestion how I can stop this?
>>
>>By the way, I know other dogs do this but titled my question that way because that's the type of dog I have.
>>Thanks, Frank

You don't give much info other than she barks at the neighbors dog.
Considering it might be a number of things, if its just soradic barking that's bothering you, you might want to consider the purchase of a dog bark collar.

These collars are safe and harmless to the dog and are collars that sense the dogs barking and give off with either a Citronella spray that distracts the dog. My sister bought one and she loves it!

Hope this link helps...

Dog Barking Collars

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Naming Dogs Around The World...
http://www.dog-names-and-more.com