My Aussie Cries/barks/whines When I Leave - I'm Making The Neighbors Mad!

by Stacy
(Gainesville, FL)

I have a 6 month old female Aussie, named Kiki. When I leave the house she crys for a moment and stops. I found out later that she continues to cry and I'm making the neighbors angry.

I "thought" she was crate trained, now it's hard to get her in the create. I give her a chew bone and a peanut butter frozen kong every time I leave.

I put her in her create 5-10 mins before I leave and don't say anything. I come home, wait 5 mins let her out and wait before I greet her. But she still barks nonstop when I am not home.

I have done everything that has been suggested to me. I have read online blogs, books, talked to dog trainers and bugged people at the dog park who have Aussies.

I also leave a toy ball out for her. When the ball moves around food falls out. I have even bought a 50 dollar "Comfort Zone" plug in to see if that would calm her down.

I take her to the dog park everyday for 45 mins to 1hr. I play with her in the house. I have done puppy training. She can sit, stay, wait, lay down, get off, roll over, loose leash walk, etc. She is a great dog.

Nothing is working. I love my Aussie! I need her to stop barking before we get kicked out of our apartment.

I had 2 people tell me to get another dog. That she is lonely. Is getting a another dog really going to help? Would she do better with another dog, or would I just be making my barking problem worse?