The Message Board

Barking Nervous Escape artist doggie

Posted 66 days ago

Hi there

Last December we bought from the RSPCA what was thought to be a Kelpie Cross puppy - our darling "Rexxar" has turned out to be an Australian Cattle Dog X German Shepherd (we think) At the time he came into our household, I read an article you wrote in Burke's Backyard Magazine that gave a "barking" rating, and we all thought, "wow, isn't Rexxar a great Kelpie? Because he hardly ever barks at anything!" - as Kelpie's didn't feature well for barking. (Ever since Rexxar came into our household I have been reading your section with great interest)

Anyway, our youngest son (20 yo) has since rescued what truly is a Kelpie (possibly cross) from death row at the local pound. "Buddy" is the cutest little guy, but we have a few issues we'd like some advice with.

Firstly, he seems very nervous - is that a Kelpie trait? We have thought it could be because of whatever bad experience he had while he was on the run - we suspect he was doing it tough on his own for quite a while before he was picked up & taken to the pound, because he came to us pretty much skin and bone.

Secondly, he is the king of escape artists! My long suffering husband has raised the fence level twice now so he doesn't escape. Is that again a Kelpie trait? Because having said that, he is very clingy when he's around the family. While I am emailing you, Buddy alias "Hoodini" has managed to scale a 2 metre fence to come in through our open sliding glass dining room window.

Lastly, and most importantly, your survey of doggy barking is soooo correct! We think he barks for attention, so we've been trying to ignore him to coerce him out of the habit, but we're not so sure that's the correct remedy, plus we are concerned about how our neighbours may be reacting.

Both Buddy & Rexxar go on a minimum of 1 long walk a day, most days 2 walks, and on weekends they go to the off-leash park for at least an hour Plus they get another walk. They are very much part of the family, so it's not as though they don't get any attention. And Buddy and Rexxar appear to be getting along fine together.

Can you tell us whether there is a remedy for the barking? And is there a way that we can convince Buddy not to try to escape. We love him dearly and we're afraid that with his escape trait he's going to get hurt, and with the barking that he's going to upset the neighbours. Please help!

Yours hopefully
Dorothy Pike
Emu Plains
(Burke's Backyard subscriber)