My Kami (Kamelot)

I guess you could describe me as a troubled or disturbed pet owner this evening. Before my Sassy Schnauzer went to Schnauzer Heaven I acquired a Schnauzer puppy. She is now almost ten months old and has a shrill yippy little bark. And like most terriers she is a barker. I have a wrought iron fence around my little back yard where my doggies can play and take care of doggie affairs and business. As the weather has warmed Kami has loved being able to go outside and nose around chasing squirrels and barking. If neighbors make noise, children yell and play, neighbors slam car doors or trucks go up or down the street Kami looooves to bark. Of course, we are all aware that doggies communicate with us through barking. So I guess we can say that Kami loves to communicate ---- lots!

One morning recently I found a letter from a single male neighbor in my mailbox. It was a letter of complaint about Kami's barking. He said it was disturbing to him and left the impression that it was disturbing the other neighbors as well. I gave this complaint a great deal of thought. After many hours of pondering what to do I decided to acquire a bark collar for her to wear when she plays outside. I also wrote an e-mail message to all of my closest neighbors (including this man) and apologized for Kami's barking and its intrusion into their peace of mind. I told them of my plan and explained (some already knew) that Sassy was no longer with us and that I had a puppy who has a shrill bark and loves to bark. Until she matures her bark will be shrill but eventually it will change with maturity.

My problem is that I can't get the bark collar to work effectively for her. This model is supposed to emit a high pitched sound when she barks. This is supposed to stun her enough to stop her barking. So far, no success. There are models that spray citronella on them when they bark. Dogs do not like citronella and it is supposed to modify the barking behavior. Apparently they are less effective than the one I purchased -- thus I chose the sound model.

My only other option has been to bring her back into the house when she starts that incessant barking. One of the big problems is that she loves the neighbors -- because on three sides of the back yard they pet her, talk to her, and make over her. So- what does girlfriend do??? Stands at the fence and barks to get their attention, of course.

Since I have been trying to get her potty trained I like to let her wander the yard until she "takes care of business" in addition to chasing squirrels.

Oh, dear, what is a humanoid Mommy supposed to do? I do not want to wind up in the Wake County Sheriff's jail because Kami likes to communicate!