Steely
Active Member
Well, I knew from the beginning Tesla was a handful. Than I found out she was an American Dingo/Carolina Dog and her high energy made more sense. Given the fact that these dogs hold the rare dog ability to vocalize 16 different sounds, I knew she would be a talker, which she is, for sure!!! She sighs, she purrs, she truly tries to talk - but she also barks like a mad dog.
I am getting beat down now. Anytime I am not walking around the house doing chores she just sits there and barks at me. If I am on the computer, or reading, or watching tv, bark, bark, bark.
I think a lot of it is that I am unemployed and it is just the 2 of us, and somehow I have set up some type of enabling relationship? (I seem to be good at this - it is so built in to my character it is nauseating). It is obvious she wants me to not sit down and relax - yet she does not want to be petted either.. I walk her 3-4 miles a day, sometimes more - and she still barks.
So now, as a trial I am placing her in the garage every time she barks. Do you think this is the best solution? It sorta works for a bit when she comes back in, but it doesn't last. I tell her no, and that does nothing. I started the garage idea yesterday, so it could take time. I don't know.
I do not want to reward her bad behavior by taking her on another walk when she barks, which is what I think she is used to me doing. I do have a backyard, which she loves, but she barks there too. And as you remember I live in a town home and I have psycho neighbors so I can't have her barking.
I am beginning to feel bad, like she is trying to tell me she is lonely and bored. But I really can't afford another dog, nor do I want one. I do know Dingos are pack animals, so it may be she needs more playmates - but I can only do so much. I give her kongs at night, and other toys that keep her pre-occupied for awhile - but I can't do that 24/7.
I think the big indicator that this is for attention is that in the garage or when I am not home she does not bark. Sigh.
Any suggestions from all you dog experts out there???? I really am frustrated. I could take her on a ten mile hike, (which I have done) have her drop dead in exhaustion for 3 hours, and then she is back up and full of as much energy as she was before. I know this is her make up, but I need a way to channel her energy into other avenues rather than only walking
I am getting beat down now. Anytime I am not walking around the house doing chores she just sits there and barks at me. If I am on the computer, or reading, or watching tv, bark, bark, bark.
I think a lot of it is that I am unemployed and it is just the 2 of us, and somehow I have set up some type of enabling relationship? (I seem to be good at this - it is so built in to my character it is nauseating). It is obvious she wants me to not sit down and relax - yet she does not want to be petted either.. I walk her 3-4 miles a day, sometimes more - and she still barks.
So now, as a trial I am placing her in the garage every time she barks. Do you think this is the best solution? It sorta works for a bit when she comes back in, but it doesn't last. I tell her no, and that does nothing. I started the garage idea yesterday, so it could take time. I don't know.
I do not want to reward her bad behavior by taking her on another walk when she barks, which is what I think she is used to me doing. I do have a backyard, which she loves, but she barks there too. And as you remember I live in a town home and I have psycho neighbors so I can't have her barking.
I am beginning to feel bad, like she is trying to tell me she is lonely and bored. But I really can't afford another dog, nor do I want one. I do know Dingos are pack animals, so it may be she needs more playmates - but I can only do so much. I give her kongs at night, and other toys that keep her pre-occupied for awhile - but I can't do that 24/7.
I think the big indicator that this is for attention is that in the garage or when I am not home she does not bark. Sigh.
Any suggestions from all you dog experts out there???? I really am frustrated. I could take her on a ten mile hike, (which I have done) have her drop dead in exhaustion for 3 hours, and then she is back up and full of as much energy as she was before. I know this is her make up, but I need a way to channel her energy into other avenues rather than only walking