I have an ex-gundog who I have had for just over a year. He is 5 and has always lived outside. Since we got him he has been outside at night in a kennel with a large run. He seems to prefer sleeping out there rather than in the house which I why I'd like to find a solution to this issue rather than just moving him indoors! (He does spend quite a bit of time indoors as well as outside.) He has recently started barking during the night. This is a "there's something in the garden" bark rather than a "I want attention" bark. He will do a few short barks and then is quiet again. Mostly is happens once a night, sometimes twice. It is enough to wake me up, so I imagine my neighbours too! We are pretty sure it's a fox coming into the garden/paddock. Due to the location of the land we can't stop a fox coming in so does anyone have any ideas to stop Thorn barking other than him sleeping in the house (which he is doing at the moment as otherwise I just lie awake worrying that he's going to bark!) Do you think blocking his line of sight would stop him barking or would he bark at the noise anyway? (I have never heard him bark at any other time.) Thank you for any advice or ideas.
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Really sorry I can't help, but just wanted to say welcome to the forum hopefully someone will be along soon with some advice.
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Thank you Naya. Just trying to find a good picture of Thorn to post in the introduction section - too many to choose from though and none seem to do him justice!
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Hello and welcome from me and my dogs ;D I would think its foxes , its that time of year isnt it ? I would keep him indoors for now , because even if you block his vision, he will still hear and smell them, maybe try him again in a few weeks time ?
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Is he disturbing the neighbours, or just you? Because if it's just you, perhaps you will get used to him barking once or twice. Otherwise, I can't really see any solution, other than bringing him indoors. And welcome to the forum, by the way!
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Welcome to the forum! I would also say foxes, or maybe a cat? You can certainly try covering him over so he can't see but he will likely still be able to hear and smell whatever it is. I don't really know what else to say to you as it's not something I've come across before.
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Welcome! What about hedgehogs and toads? - both of these have made our bunny thump outside. Also a red squirrel, but I guess that isn't so likely (a one-off for our garden) ;D
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Welcome to the forum! I too think that having him inside is the way to go, just for a while
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel When something disturbs mine at night it's a case of Woof Woof Woof Woff Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof (breath) Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof until it goes away. So your quite lucky
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel My dogs have always slept outside and foxes are a problem. Blocking his line of sight might not help as noise and smell could still set him off however it might help. We had a new shed put up in sight of the dog pen when I had my old lab. For the first night he barked like mad because presumably there was a something in the corner that shouldn't be there ! : The following night I put an old sheet around the corner of the pen where he could see the shed. It worked ! After a few nights I took the sheet away and all was quiet. It's worth a try while the foxes are about. If you decide to bring him inside don't do it while he's barking. Good luck. PS . If your neighbours complain you could point out that his barking is a deterrent and is letting them know something/someone is about.
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel [quote author=Tillydyes link=topic=5996.msg77767#msg77767 date=1400223151] When something disturbs mine at night it's a case of Woof Woof Woof Woff Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof (breath) Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof until it goes away. So your quite lucky [/quote] ;D ;D ;D Sorry Kath,I can't help but welcome to the forum x
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel We had two springers that lived in kennels outside , this time of year was a nightmare as the foxes and their cubs were all around and their scent is very strong ! We did have electric outside so put a radio on but if no electric a battery operated radio inside the kennel as a distraction . I used to worry about the barking with the neighbours so I do know how you feel.Hang on in there !!
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Thank you all for all your kind and encouraging comments. I'm about to go away for a few days but when we're back I'm going to try covering part of the run - I won't know till I try will I?!
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel Hi Kath, my dogs lived in kennels for many years and foxes were an intermittent problem. We did think for a while that neighbour's cats might be the trigger, but a trail camera proved once and for all, that it was foxes causing the barking. They seem to just love 'winding' the dogs up! There are only two solutions we came up with. One was shutting the dogs into their sleeping compartment last thing at night and letting them out early in the morning. (partly defeating one of the benefits of having kennelled dogs). The other was bringing the dogs indoors. Sorry I can't be more helpful, I understand your frustration!
Re: Barking in outdoor kennel [quote author=Thea link=topic=5996.msg77878#msg77878 date=1400241816] We had two springers that lived in kennels outside , this time of year was a nightmare as the foxes and their cubs were all around and their scent is very strong ! We did have electric outside so put a radio on but if no electric a battery operated radio inside the kennel as a distraction . I used to worry about the barking with the neighbours so I do know how you feel.Hang on in there !! [/quote] And you can get super solar powered radios too - not expensive at all
