Thursday, September 11, 2008

Meet my new best friend!



This is the Super Bark Free Training Device.

If you recall my post from a few months ago I was at my wits end with my neighbor (who now has 4 dogs and not 2) and her dogs who have literally been barking in my face for over a year now. I was to the point of possibly having a nervous breakdown when she posted her stupid pitiful signs in an attempt to make me actually loose my mind. http://livingintheubaydifamily.blogspot.com/2008/07/seriously.html
So, a friend offered a solution one day. She asked if I had ever considered a bark deterrent device. What?!?! There's something on the market that does this?! I was floored...after months of lamenting to people the only advice I had been offered was poison, water and a poisonous plant...all of which I was to the point of seriously considering. But, I kept my civility in tact.
I had made numerous complaints to both the Animal control offices and the Home Owners association. A bark deterrent was my last humane resort.

I was actually giddy with excitement last week when I placed my order. The website reviews actually said that people who were training German Shepard's had great results. I waited anxiously for a week for my unit to arrive. This past Sunday one of the new puppy's actually squeezed through the fence and came in our yard. I almost lost my mind but remembered that my training devices were on the way and it was only a few more days of patience. It cam late int he day this past Tuesday. I hurriedly read the directions and placed the unit in the appropriate spot. Now, the wait begins.

The directions say not to provoke the dogs into barking. *sigh*. So, I have noticed in the last 2 days that barking has been reduced in my area of the fence. But, I questioned if it was really the device working.

Yesterday I glanced out the kitchen window and actually saw the dogs relaxing comfortably next to the fence and NOT growling through the fence. That's a significant improvement. I smile to myself.

Today I was home and the dogs were going nuts at the fence. So, I took the opportunity for some much needed training. I walked out there with my hand held device (I also ordered for a little one on one training) and pointed it directly at the offending pooches. I pressed the button for 5 seconds and then quietly stated "be quiet". Girl pooch didn't care and continued her noise. So, I adjusted the Super Bark cone and then blasted her again with the hand held device. "Be quiet". She stopped and looked at me like I was crazy. Then she decided to give it another try. Third time is the charm. Zap, "be quiet". She stopped and sat down.

I sat down too and wondered if it would really be that easy? These dogs have barked anytime they've even heard my sliding glass door open for at least 20-30 minutes EVERY TIME for the last year. Surely, it would take longer than 3 days and 3 direct zaps. It did take another 3 zaps...but only because another neighbor came out and provoked girl pooch into another fit of rage. She's a bossy dog but I think she's learning. The new neighbor watched all this happening and asked me how in the world I can stand all this. I smiled and said...are you kidding...this is great! This is progress here.

Please take a look at the above picture. Notice that I am standing out on my patio and have a clear unobstructed view of the poochies residence without them standing there growling, jumping and threatening to rip limbs from my poor children.

I'm still wondering if this is a fluke...but for now I'll give credit to the Super Bark Stop and the Dog Dazer 2!


Please note that this device is promoted by vets as a safe, humane way to train dogs. sadly, I had to spend $100 of my own money to train dogs that aren't even mine because their owner is selfish and doesn't care about her neighbors.

4 comments:

Rebecca said...

OH, I have been waiting for this follow up! So does the device make noise when you aim it and press the button?

Stephanie said...

It can be set to either aduible or ultrasonic. I have it at ultrasonic so i don't hear it. It's high pitched radio frequency...similar to a dog whistle.

Liz said...

YOU GO GIRL! I was wondering how this whole thing was going. I do hope it works for you. Have your neighbors seen you doing this?

Jennifer said...

this is AWESOME. I really hope it continues to work. woo!!!