Bark control collar used with a Siberian Husky with possible nerve damage?
Okay, please don’t judge me or give me any crap about using a shock collar to control my dog’s excessive barking – we checked with the vet before doing anything and got an ok. My husband and I followed all of the instructions to the letter by the collar manufacturer; however, tonight when I brought the dog in the house he had a severe limp in the front right leg and back left leg. He’s at the vet right now with my husband, but I wanted to know if anyone had experienced in their dog after using a bark control collar. We are absolutely at our wit’s end with our poor dog. We have a brand new baby (4 weeks) – which means neither one of us sleep, my husband works constantly and we’ve received numerous complaints from our HOA about his barking. We’ve tried everything to help control his barking and thought maybe this would work. We’ve only used it for 2 days, but now I think we’ve hurt our poor dog. I am totally stressed out and think I’m going to have to find him a new family because nothing is working. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any advice or information is SO totally appreciated. I love him and have cried all night at the thought that I have hurt him.
Rayven – obviously we are going to stop using the collar… Are you a dog TRAINER? Do you have any advice or information that is actually helpful?
Additionally, the dog barks inside, outside and all day. My husband walks him every night when he gets home. I can’t walk the dog because I am caring for an infant and 30 degree weather is not appropriate to bring her out in.
flip
5 Jul, 2010
I am against any form of torture. That is what you did to your dog with the e collar. Did you ask a dog trainer to help you? Or did you see this as an easy way out? Siberian Huskies are a very vocal breed. Did you research the breed before you bought him? Also you are wrong about 30 degrees is not appropriate to bring an infant outside. I am of Native American decent. My ancestors did not have houses like today’s. No central or gas heat, and we had infants. Properly dressed there is no problem.
Now to the dog. Take an empty peanut butter jar, empty a roll of pennies into it. At the instant the dog starts to bark, shake the jar. The rattling of the pennies should distract him. If it does not gain his attention, throw the jar in his direction. You do this every time. It is best to try to catch him when he thinks to bark. If you watch him you will know by the body language when this happens. I trained my first Siberian Husky in this manner. He spoke when I asked him to.
Also, Your dog is BORED out of his mind. this is why he is barking. Instead of walking, he needs to run or pull a sled for a couple of hours each day. He is not having all of his needs met. there is no balance in his life. There is 4 inches of snow on the ground right now and and it is 14 degrees and I am going to be getting dressed to take my 7 mo old Siberian pup for a bike ride.
Rayven ~ Life's a B
5 Jul, 2010
Considering neither of you consulted with a TRAINER and were shown how to PROPERLY use the collar of course its entirely possible you harmed your dog. E collars are effective training tools in the RIGHT hands. Reading the instruction manual is not enough to make your hands the right hands.
Advice? Until you are shown how to properly use the collar stop using it. Second find out WHY your dog is barking? Inside? Outside? Is he barking at something or just for the hell of it? How much exercise has he been getting in general? Since the baby came?
Jenny
5 Jul, 2010
Have you considered bringing the dog in the house so he can see what’s going on? He knows the baby’s there and he is outside and cannot protect you from whatever it is. Besides, he might be missing out on the fun.
Dogs are pack animals; they need to be with their families. He needs his original level of contact and interaction with you and with your husband. If you won’t or can’t do that anymore, it’s time to re-home him.
That does NOT mean giving him access to the baby. NEVER turn your back with the dog and the baby in the same room; a young Sibe can hop into a crib and bite the squally thing inside it before you can turn back around… and do it without an ounce of malice.
Dogs do NOT automatically understand that babies are human young. He will figure it out if you protect the baby from him, and you should do it overtly: get between the baby and the dog and growl at him: deepen your voice into a growl and tell him to back off in no uncertain words. Act like the dominant female in a pack: no pack member is allowed near the infant puppies until they are old enough to run around (6-8 weeks old). Do not allow him into the baby’s room. After a brief shakedown period, he’ll figure out where he fits, as long as, when away from the baby, you and your husband treat him as you did before.
The dog will not treat the child like a human until she can use her voice and give him commands. Until then, you must be watchful and supervise them every second. You will work out a routine over time.
Throw the shock collar away; all it does is confuse and terrify him. Get your money back, if you can, and give the dog a steak and an evening of petting on the couch after the baby’s safely in bed.
Good luck.
bookworm21
5 Jul, 2010
i have an all natural spray collar that lets out a scent every time my dog barks. now when he starts up i only have to put it on him. i dont even have to turn it on. it is completely safe and wont hurt him. i got mine at walmart but you probably will be able to find one at the petstore. it is the best thing for barking i have found. i would strongly advise that you try this.
Mic
5 Jul, 2010
Electric Shocking an animal is inhumane. Being a veterinarian does not give you the authority to initiate animal abuse nor is a vet agreeing with it justification to physically abuse an animal. Your dog probably needs attention and excersise and is barking because you no longer hav the time to properly care for it because you are more concerned with your new baby. Dogs need a lot attention and stimulation to live happily with humans and away from their natural canine pack family. If you do not give a dog a pack to be a part of it will act out through no fault of it’s own. It also probably doesn’t understand why it is all the sudden being electrocuted while being abandoned. The fact that you used the collar enough to injure the dog is a clear indication that you have abused your animal. Please move past your guilt and do the rsponsble thing. If you don’t have the time or inclination to properly train the animal to be apart of you new family structure then you should find it a new home to end his misery.
Lucky
5 Jul, 2010
Hi Melanie
Due to the compression or trauma caused by the shock collar your dog’s nerves may have been damage, therefore your dog may now have a condition called Neuropathy.
This is treatable by using a product called ReBuilder twice a day you will be able to repair the damage caused to your dog’s leg. You will find more information at: http://www.rebuildermedicaluk.com.
ReBuilder is proven to work and FDA approved.
‘Hope this helps.