dogs...barking mad? surley not..

[welsh liz]

can someone tell me as to whether a guard dog can be classed as a "nuisance barker" - even though he only barks when AND ONLY when there is a stranger in the house or when he sees someone venturing down the drive- he is not an incescent barker, v friendly dog so can he be classed as a nuisance dog if he is used as a guard dog?

It came to our attention when a neighbour, from the Victor Meldrew School of annoyance politley remarked that the dog had....quote...disturbed him from reading his paper...cough cough...uquote....i work in a capacity with the Local Authority that I am familiar with the processes of reporting a nuisance dog, but surley, a guard dog? Dogs do bark, sadly they don't chant sweet overtues in D major.. so if anyone can advise if a guard dog is a nuisance???. muchos thanks..

[Kleiber]

Hi, Liz. I wouldn't say your dog is a nuisance -he's just doing what dogs do, protecting you & his home. Be careful about calling him a guard dog, though, cos that implies he's vicious. He's just a family pet, isn't he....??

[welsh liz]

FAO KLEIBER...

G'day.. yes he is a total gem..he's like a labrador....fluffy, and very homley not nasty or anything like that- totally family friendly..he's a munster lander- so yea- like a ball of cotton wool really ! I though so, cheers for the response by the way!!! are you a vet/legal/animal professional yourself?

It's a pain!!!!!! so, how are you finding this site??

[Kleiber]

No, I'm not a vet, only a farmer - well, smallholder really. Nice to get your reply, where are you in Wales? I've got 2 dogs, a GSD bitch who also barks like yours, to let me know if someone's there or to protect me and a daft border collie, who's supposed to be a sheepdog, but is pretty useless (he's cute, though) -spends more time rounding up my cats!! I think this site's brilliant- I only found it a little while ago & I'm afraid I'm getting a bit addicted.

[welsh liz]

no idea how this works but it's fun!!!! I agree with you on that one...always good to get some feedback, farming is such a lovely lifestyle, live near the beacons myself nr the abergavenny area, like it! Imagine that you're a busy chap- remember when I used to go to young farmers events...ha hum...back in the day.....brilliant.....aren't you very busy this time of year??

[leelapops]

Chappette, surely, Kleiber?! :) x

[welsh liz]

ah....had no idea that I was talking to a lady...argh..hhh...hh,......that does put a totally different slant on things....arghh!!!

[welsh liz]

you did sound like a man..opps!

[Kleiber]

Hi, Girls!! Yes, leelapops (you know anyway from previous comms) I'm a chapette! Kleiber is a German word, meaning "nuthatch" (i thought it was cute!) I'm not far from you, liz - near Lampeter & yes, usually busy, but the weather's been so damn awful, can't do much. Only got the sheep shorn last week as it's been too wet up till now & still can't get the hay in. Chickens are up to their knees (do they have knees??) in mud & I thank God I haven't got the usual pigs at the moment. Been out to buy chicken feed this morning & am going to do some baking in a mo', so will pop back later. Nice to hear from you both :) x K.

[GypsyGSD]

Had to join in here im from newport not far from you both I also have a 9yr old gsd who barks when ppl ccome to home or when passing I have a border collie pup age 6 which I got for sheep trials but is a couch potatoe,andI now own a 8 week gsd pup which I got on sunday one of the ways I deal with the problem of barking is to teach them to speak , then praise the quiet it works on occassioons lol GypsyX

[Kleiber]

Hi, gypsyGSD (and liz and leelapops!) Your 2 sound just like mine! I got Jake (the collie) to use as a sheepdog, but he's useless (probably my fault as I'm no sheepdog trainer!) -he spends most of his time trying to round up my cats (you can imagine what they think of that & he's got the scars to prove it!) & my lovely GSD bitch is getting on a bit now. I was thinking of getting another pup, but am looking for a job at the moment (well, Tony Blair said us farmers had to diversify!) and don't think it fair that the wee thing would be left at home all day, although Elsa would mother it. By the way, Liz, I envy you living near Abergavenny - you've got a Waitrose - lucky devil!! I get down there about twice a year to treat myself to some decent shopping. All we've got here is a grotty, expensive Co-Op & a Somerfield that isn't even worth a mention!!

[GypsyGSD]

hi both , just a question for kieiber are you any where near builth wells as i reconise the shops we have a caravan in that area at hundred house which we use most weekends GypsyX

[Kleiber]

I'm about 2hrs drive from Builth - not actually that far, but the roads round here are awful. If you go from Builth to Llandovery, then on to Lampeter (via Llanwrda - turn right), it's 23miles. If you're up this way, post on here & maybe we could meet in one of our little pubs & have a glass (or 2) of wine? I could meet you in Llandovery, save you coming all this way. K xx