Quote:
Originally Posted by mommyofsophie  This has turned out to be the trick!!! (I think-- fingers are crossed.) I closed the door to my home office, which is off the kitchen where Sophie's gated in during the day. This way, Sophie can have her bed in the kitchen, food, water, potty pad, etc., but she can't see out a window. The snotty neighbor won't talk to me still, but she did tell my apt. manager that for the last week Sophie's barking has been almost nonexistent when I'm gone during the day. I think that with the radio left on to NPR and no window access, outdoor sounds and sights don't get Sophie all excited and she's keeping quiet. I pray, pray, PRAY that this isn't just temporary, but that it's the solution to our problem.  If it doesn't work, I'll contact a professional trainer. My vet gave me a referral for a woman in my area who just earned her Ph.D. in animal behavior and is looking to establish herself with clients... meaning, she won't charge me a fortune yet, lol.
I'm going ahead with Sophie's spay surgery tomorrow. (She's 16 mos, but I waited at the advice of my vet because she was underweight. Now she's holding steady at 2 1/2 lbs.) Tomorrow she'll also get a couple teeth pulled and be micro-chipped, but I am NOT having her bark softened.
I can't thank everyone here enough for your opinions, perspectives, and suggestions. What an amazing community!!  |
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommyofsophie Awww-- you're so sweet! I did find a woman in my large apt. complex who works part-time as a paralegal and walks dogs. She's only charging me $10 per day to come over and walk/play with Sophie for 30 minutes each visit when I'm at work. The dog walker already came over a few times and played with Sophie when I was there because I wanted Sophie to know she's a safe person. She plays really sweetly with Sophie and I think they're going to have fun together.  |
wow! i am so glad things are starting to work out for you and sophie.
so the office window is where sophie can detect your neighbor walking by and that is why she is barking? it does seem like if you can close that door or any other areas where sophie will notice other people moving around, she will not bark while you are away.
i will keep my fingers crossed that sophie will be a good little girl and not bark while you are away with the new set up.
good luck with the surgery tmw. you can sleep with her blanket tonight and bring it with her to the vet tmw, so she can smell you on the blanket when she is at the vet. i usually do this with my dogs, i think maybe this helps them feel better while they are at the vet because i think they are probably a little scared to be there without their mommy.