[vicki87]

My labradour puppy is 6 months old. The minute I leave my house to work etc he barks. My neighbours are complaining a lot. I was thinking maybe if he had a playmate he will stop barking. Will a playmate stop his barking do you think?

[Sariss]

Not necessarily. The playmate could learn from your current dog, and then you'd have two barking dogs.

A few questions:
How much exercise is this dog getting? A high energy breed such as a lab should be getting at least an hour or two of good exercise daily.
Is the dog crated? Sometimes this can stop nuisance barking.

[Lucky098]

If you decide to get a playmate for him, don't get another puppy. Get an adult dog between 1 and 2 years (or older if you wish).

If you get a puppy, then your dogs bad habit will rub off onto that pup. If you get an older dog, who already has a set in temperament and personality, has a lower chance of learning those habits..

This is also a form of separation anxiety. Getting another dog is not a guarantee that your pup will stop barking.

How much exercise does the dog get each day? How many hours a day is your pup home alone?

[vicki87]

I just thought if he had a playmate then it would help. He would'nt be bored, I think that's why he's barking. He has 2 walks a day. So has plenty of exercise. When I go to work he is left. But I have a friend look after him normally while I'm at work. I thought if he had a playmate he would be OK and not need someone looking after him. My neighbours are complaining so I need to do something.

[Cat1864]

Does he have any interactive toys to keep him occupied?

Instead of a playmate, can you enroll him in a puppy daycare?

[shazamataz]

I think getting the barking under control is priority number one.

Have you considered using a citronella collar?
They work the same as an electronic or shock collar without the pain.
There is a small box on the front of the collar filled with citronella. Every time the dog barks it zips a spray of citronella up towards their nose.
They HATE they smell of it and it works to aid in helping them stop barking.

It worked on my parents Great Dane in just 3 days!

Honestly, I think getting another dog is the worst thing you could do.
I had a 2 year old poodle who barely barked at all, then when I got my 1 year old he actually taught her to bark at everything... now I have 2 barking dogs instead of just one.

[vicki87]

He has plenty of toys, food & water. I wouldn't leave him with nothing. What is puppy daycare? I lend one of them collars off a friend tried it on him. I don't think it worked. I waited in the hallway for 10 minutes just to try it I came back in & I couldn't smell the lemon spray on him. So don't think it worked at all.

[Catsmine]

Odds are a playmate would result in 2 barking dogs rather than one. A doggy daycare is a kennel that lets dogs stay while you're at work -- a daytime boarding kennel. It may be the best option for you guys.

[vicki87]

OK thanks, but I don't think they have one round here

[Catsmine]

ok thanks, but i dont think they have one round here

Check with your vet and/or your groomer. They'll probably know of one.

[Lucky098]

Even if you take your pup to doggy daycare once or twice out of the week, you're still breaking up his run-of-the-mill routine. With everything else they you're providing for him, he'll start to settle down a lot!

[vicki87]

I don't no what I'm going to do. I just thought if he had a playmate then he wouldn't get bored.

[Cat1864]

I dont no what im going to do. I just thought if he had a playmate then he wouldnt get bored.

When you say playmate, are you talking about owning a second animal or 'borrowing' someone's animal during the day?

If you are talking about owning, then you also have to think about doubling your expenses, training a second animal, etc. You would still not have any guarantee that your noise problem would be solved. As has been said, it could increase.

You might try behavioral training. Find out what triggers his barking. Is it you leaving or him realizing he is alone?

If it is you leaving, you are probably giving him cues to your departure and he is working himself up to miss you. You may also be doing what a lot of people do, saying 'goodbye'. To him, that says get ready to bark. As much as you can, change how you leave the house for work. Try to be as calm as you can leaving. Make your coming and going as boring to him as you can so that his focus goes from you to his toys and entertaining himself. Have your 'puppysitter' do the same things.

Some other ideas: Don't leave his toys in one place. Scatter them around the area that you allow him to have so that he has to 'hunt' for them. Maybe toss a treat-type toy (ex: Kong) in the door just as you are leaving. Don't say anything-just toss and leave.