I have a Howler. Help!!!!

[SheltieMom13]

Buddy is my lovable, wonderful, super smart Sheltie. The only thing he does that is now causing conflict with my NEW neighbor is Howling. If I put him outside, he howls. I leave light on, door open enough for him to come inside. He sits there until I call him or come get him. Sometimes he does this inside the house when I leave. My neighbor left a nasty note on my door. I have had the dog 2 yrs last October. Quick resolutions?
I did not have neighbors behind me or beside me till just recently, so never thought to address issue. Thought it was normal behavior til now. Thanks.

[SheltieMom13]

I guess its normal Sheltie behavior then.I just need to convince my neighbor that now.

[*Caro]

Howling generally means "calling the pack". It's a very natural behaviour, I wouldn't have thought howling could be that loud it would annoy a neighbour. In fact it's quite melodious at times, certainly not like barking. I am really surprised anyone would complain about howling.

He just may not want to be outside - is there any reason he can't come back in? I do know other dogs that howl when they hear sirens.

[SheltieMom13]

I put him outside to go potty and then let him back in. I dont want him outside too long cuz we have had some cold weather here in Vegas. 34° maybe even a little colder. I will tell my neighbor to stuff a sock in it that it is part of normal behavior, that he is communicating with me. I just thought it was something else that I had missed. Thanks.

[sable]

34 in Vegas, my FIL would have freezed his butt off. When we have visited nobody was out through the day because of the heat.

Howling, we had my son's beagle here, he loved the one day of the week when the sirens went off, would howl, but no complaints.

I quess distraction would be the best I can give.

[Tagg]

As long as it doesn't go on for long, howling itself isn't too bothersome BUT, when I worked in clinic and we got a howler it didn't take long before we all wanted to stuff a sock in the critter's mouth! We would see it as they came out of surgery sometimes but it usually stopped fairly quickly however, a few would howl and howl and howl - you get the picture.
Does puppy howl when the tv or music is on??? Maybe a little noise in the house while you are out might help. Make sure all windows are closed and dog is not able to get to the side of the house that the concerned neighbour is on to make the noise quieter. Everyone does have a right to live comfortably in their own homes so you really do need to try to alleviate the problem.

[roxyllsk]

Is he howling and howling and howling for a long period of time ?

Is it briefly, when he'd like to come in ? Or a siren goes off ? And do you let him in ? Or do you ignore it and let it go on ?

If it was for a period of time (more than a few minutes each time) or if it went on at night, I could see why the neighbor would get upset. I've been on the receiving end of that and it's not fun.

If it's just brief (and I mean less than a few minutes each time), then your neighbor is just being picky.

I'd just be vigilant about bringing him in when he starts doing it, and make sure you don't let it go on for very long.

If he does it when you leave, can you give him a kong or something fun to do right when you leave ? That way maybe he will be distracted and not do it. Or, you can always put him in a room where the howling can't be heard by your neighbor so much.

My ex worked a night job, and we had a neighbor whose dog barked NONSTOP all day long after they went to work, and when my ex was trying to sleep he could hear it through the bedroom walls. We tried talking to them about it several times but nothing helped - we asked them if they could lock the dog out of their bedroom as then my ex wouldn't have to hear that all.day.long from our bedroom. They wouldn't do anything so life was pretty miserable for a while. They eventually moved.

Anyway, try to look at it from your neighbor's perspective too.

[SheltieMom13]

Thank you for your posts. apparently Buddy has outsmarted me. my neighbor was just walking out with her Collie and their trainer. He heard them and flew out the door. Her trainer and I talked about his behavior. She suggested I get him some toys, (What are Kongs? btw) and put music or the tv on so he has company. She told me Shelties get lonely and bored when left alone. I never let him carry on howling when I am home.
When he goes out at 2-3 am, and he howls. I go run out and get Buddy and bring him right in so not to disturb the neighbors. I guess he figures if he howls I will come get him. Mr smarty pants, lol. Need to break a bad habit mom, she said. She told me that she is gonna to teach me a few things so he will not do that anymore. My neighbor then walked outside and said "oh, its the howler". I said I am sorry, this lady is going to hopefully help us fix that problem. She said yes we are. So I guess Sheltiemom here is gonna get some dog training 101 from her. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help.

Btw how can I put a picture of Buddy on as my avitar?

[roxyllsk]

This is a Kong :

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo

It's rubber and very tough. It has a hollow center and you can stuff it full of goodies. I have several - I stuff them with peanut butter and some small treats, like the Mini Milkbones, and freeze them. I give them to the dogs when I leave the house. They have to work to get the peanut butter and it keeps them happy and busy for quite a while. You can also use spray cheese and Kong has several products for stuffing too.

After they're done, I run them through the dishwasher to clear out any peanut butter they didn't get.

I have this one too. It works better than most treat dispensing toys as you can put bigger treats in there and they are harder to get out. I usually put a few whole biscuits in them, then some broken ones. My boys love to play with it and get the treats out.

http://www.busydogball.com/products.htm


Anyway, perhaps giving him something fun to do and occupy him when you first leave will help keep him from fussing. These toys won't last all day but they may help.


Glad you are getting help from a trainer, it can be frustrating trying to fix things on your own.