My Dog Is In Danger Of Losing His Walker Because ...

[ladybirder]

he won't stop barking when he is in her car with other dogs. She lives in the same block as us so he is the first to be collected. She then has to drive around and collect the other dogs due to be walked that day. They then all have a run about for a minimum of one hour. After that, all dogs back in their cages and back home being dropped off one by one. So he is in the car the longest and he barks non stop and loudly and he's giving my walker a headache. For the first time ever she has cancelled a walk:-(

The only time he barks when he is in my car with me is if a motor cyclist comes too close but he shuts up as soon as they have gone. But he is barking more lately at home I've noticed. I'm told dogs bark more as they age but I have not experienced this with the many dogs I have had in my life.

Any good suggestions anyone please?

[rockyracoon]

Could you give him a Kong or similar to keep him occupied whilst in her car? Can he see out of the window? Maybe that could be a reason why he barks a lot

[anneasquith]

Could your dog not be picked up last, so he has less time in the car ?

[ladybirder]

Thanks for your suggestions rocky. She is very experienced and good at her job. We have tried a Kong, food, covered cage, back of the car front of the car and his favourite toy. He drops whatever he's got in his mouth as soon as he gets in the cage and starts barking and doesn't stop until they get out of the car.

Anne thank you but No definitely not, I wouldn't have the cheek to ask her, it's too far. It would double her journey's length, time and her petrol costs. The traffic in B&H is horrendous. She picks up dogs from all over this area in the shortest way possible.

I could cut my little mutt's vocal cords of course. That should work. Kidding in case anyone's taking me seriously.

Just to be clear, my dog loves her and she loves him.

[barry1010]

Does he go in a cage in your car?

[ladybirder]

No barry. Never used a cage for any of my dogs and never would.

[barry1010]

Is he barking because of the cage? If so maybe he could be harnessed to the seat belt fitting instead

[Canary42]

Try a muzzle, that should at least reduce the loudness surely.

[THECORBYLOON]

Muzzles are meant to be used to prevent bites not barking.

[ToraToraTora]

I don't blame her, that would do my loaf right in!

[ladybirder]

I don't blame her either Tora, it would drive me mad.

Barry yes, that is the difference. The only dog that isn't in a cage is her own and he sits on the front passenger seat of her Skoda Yeti as he is used to doing when he goes out just with his owners. I will mention to her what you have said when she picks him up tomorrow but as they're all cages in the back I don't hold out much hope. Think if it was possible she would already have done that. Some days she can have as many as seven dogs in a morning and mine is the only one to misbehave. Plus if he goes on the afternoon one he's the same. Little b.

As soon as she knocks on the door he starts his loud barking because he's excited and knows he's going walkies;-)and we have to shush him.

[wolf63]

Have you thought about crate training him at home or in your own car? Get him used to it.

[237SJ]

Get rid of the dog walker, save yourself some money and put yourself on Borrow My Doggie.

[237SJ]

https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/

[ladybirder]

No wolfe. He's a good little boy at home sitting quietly in his bed on a sofa watching me. Or having a play when one of my neighbours calls in to roll around the floor with him for a while LOL. And I said previously I have never used a cage for any of my dogs and never would.

His walker of course can't run the risk of one of her mutts starting a fight when she's driving.

[ladybirder]

I did 237sj. Disaster. My wee rescue is about 11.5 years old and has had at least eight homes in that time. The last 2 years 3 months with me. He loves me, his home, this now familiar block of flats. He will go out with his walker, me, the guy who he adores in the opposite flat. Anyone else, No. They get him outside the front door and he refuses to go any further. The only ones who managed to get him further were a mother and her young son from BMD who made it to a local park a few times. One afternoon they were playing with him in the park throwing his ball when he suddenly picked his ball up (they had let him off the lead!!) and ran straight out of the park across one main road and down another causing traffic to screech to a halt and horns a hooting. All the way home. Frightened to BMD couple and I never saw them again.

[Tuvok]

There was a recent episode of Dogs Behaving Badly where he dealt with a dog barking int the car. Maybe watch that episode to see what he did?

[ladybirder]

Thank you Tuvok I remember that. I think the owner, a woman, started off by giving the dog a little tug on the lead. It was moved onto the back seat instead of being in the boot. I'll check it out. Cheers.

[ladybirder]

Walker tried it this morning Tuvok. Nothing changed.
S0 ... they have just set off for his 2nd walk with a Kong full of tuna/pasta/cheese sauce. I told her to bring him straight back to me if he's barking as she pulls off. Just to turn round and bring him back and she'll still get paid as it's not her fault. We then argued, she won't take money if he's not had his walk. I win, she has no control over what I put in her account.

Just had 2 texts. 1) Bloody hell it is working. 2) Silence is golden.

Two things worrying me here. He's got pancreatitis so should not be eating that food but I had a bit left over in the fridge from yesterday. And what will he be like when he's finished the food. I reckon he'll start barking on the way home.

Sorry, I must be boring many of you to bits with this saga:-(

[blue-yonder]

A Muzzle??

[wolf63]

AB is full of animal lovers Ladybirder, it could well be that someone else has experienced the same problem. We don't get bored of reading.

I do hope that a solution can be found, have you tried sitting him down and having a chat with him? :-)