Originally Posted by Ringo1 (Post 3215684)

Wow, you are between a rock and a hard place. I know how scary it is when apartment neighbors are complaining. Sounds like you have tried a lot of different things.

I can think of three things I might try before debarking:
1. doggie daycare
2. dog walker mid-day
3. citronella collar
4. Medication to keep her calm for a few days while you are at work.

(Ok - make that 4 things). I had to give my maltese medication when we moved to another state and I received a complaint that he barked all day. Of course, this was due to adjustment issues and after about 3 days on somekind of doggie valium; he was fine.

I wish you could move because your neighbor doesn't sound all that nice! But understand this may not be in the picture for you.

In your shoes - if all else failed; I would probably have to consider the surgery. I'm so sorry you find yourself in this position.

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s (Post 3215735)

That's a tough situation to be in and I understand that it must be very upsetting and frustrating for you. That being said though, if everything has been tired and the only options are rehoming, or debarking, I *personally* would choose to rehome the dog. The reasons for not doing it are still just as valid...they are not lessened just because it's a last resort.

Hopefully all will work out for you somehow. :)

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama (Post 3215748)

Spaying and neutering are done for medical purposes. Debarking has no medical benefit. They should never be placed in the same category, IMO. PA has outlawed vocal cord surgeries, and more and more vets are refusing to do them in other states because there is no medical benefit.

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s (Post 3215756)

Hey, there's a first time for everything! :p But if you're going to disagree with me, you must do it properly--you must type in all caps and tell me I'm rude and accuse me of being a clique leader...or something. :p

I really don't know what to say in this situation, on one hand I think "no way, never", on the other, I try to put myself in that situation and consider getting rid of one of mine.

I think debark the neighbor would be the best option! :D

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama (Post 3215765)

I'll tell you what I actually DID in this situation. I moved.

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 3215768)

:sidesplt:

Some experts would say I'm being sentimental and attributing my thoughts and feelings to my dogs, but I honestly believe that my boys would be devastated if they were re-homed and that it would affect their health.

Originally Posted by smartpuppiepets (Post 3215772)

I know someone who used the shock/vibrating collar with lots of success. Although i have not used my self i have seen it working. He has a mixed silky, who is adorable and such a good dog every way. But she used to bark at everything, everyone , all the time and any time. It was pretty bad. He also lived in an apartment and tried all available, i took her here for about a month to try to work with her and to give him a break ... she drove me "nuts" ... no kidding... even my dogs were like ... tired of her barking.
Anyways, it was that bad.
He got her the shock/vibrating collar as the last resource before de-barking her. Because at end it was so bad , even re-homing her would be hard ...
I have seen it in action and at first i felt sooo bad, because she got a "sting" like reaction when she first started barking ... and she was looking around trying to figure out where it was coming from... she was wearing it all the time the first few days. i believe it is on and off every few hours... but she was wearing it consistently...
Today she is a well balanced dog, she does not wear it anymore, every once in a while he puts it on. I have the feeling she does not know the difference between the "collar" and her regular one as i see she barks more often when she has no collar on. She behaves like muy dogs now, she only barks every once in a while, i had her here for 3 days when he went travelling and what a difference.
Now, is there a difference between this shock/vibrating collar and the shock collar?
Is it the same thing?
Because it did work wonders for this dog. She still lives with her owner in his apartment without any more complaints.
I felt bad when i saw the first time , but seen the result i believe it was very worthy. besides he used it with training and other efforts so she is not a traumatized dog at all.
XOXO

Originally Posted by Britster (Post 3215780)

I, mean, if it came down to lose your dog vs. debark your dog.... I would debark the dog, but that would be a last resort. Dog daycare is what comes first to my mind. I would prefer my dog to be happy and content during the day rather than stressed and barking all day cooped up in an apartment. It can be a lot of money for sure but I knew, when deciding to get a dog, that it would cost alot of money. I think you also have to know when getting a dog that dogs bark, and certain breeds are more prone to it, when deciding on your living situation while owning a dog. I do understand life happens and you just have to deal with what you got.

Originally Posted by Ringo1 (Post 3215802)

I'm reading all suggestions because I'm really worried about my Westie when we move. The houses are super close together (not like what I have here) and I can see some complaints coming my way.

I'm going to go price the citronella collar; though I see it's been used with varying degrees of success.

I love the idea of doggie daycare and we are moving to a larger area so . . maybe. Ringo doesn't get along all that great with strange dogs though so maybe not.

I really feel for this poster living in an apartment.

Originally Posted by katy-yorkie (Post 3215845)

If I lived in an apartment, I would get a lot of complaints about Buster & Maggie. Maggie will bark if she sees something different in the yard (trash can, newspaper, etc.), Buster will bark because she is barking. Even my daughter has asked me if I can do something about their barking. Day Care is not an option for me, most don't open until I have been at work for two hours. Rehoming would not be an option either. That is a tough decision to make. Good Luck.