[redwitch]

A friend of mine had a dog that just couldn't quit barking. It didn't matter what product was used or what kind of discomfort it caused, poor Maggie May had to bark. The need was greater than any amount of discomfort or punishment. My friend ultimately re-homed her. She is now in a home with kids and two acres of land and can bark to her little heart's content.

I used to have an Afghan hound that was a barker. I never knew it. After putting up with it for about a year, my neighbor finally told me she barked and barked and barked from the second I drove around the corner until I came back home. I'm just sorry my neighbor waited so long to tell me. The only time she barked when I was home was when someone came to the door, so I was clueless. For me, it was an easy solve -- let her stay in the house rather than in the dog run and she was quiet and happy.

It is not always irresponsible dog owners. Sometimes it is the dog. Sometimes it is easily solved once the owner knows about the problem.

As was said, dogs bark. It is part of their social life and it is part of their function to protect, so some barking is reasonable. Incessant barking is another thing and, hopefully, owners are aware of the problem and try to do something about it.

BTW, Lynn, you might trying keeping your Yorkie in an area where there no windows or at least where the windows are closed and away from the complaining neighbor. That might help. Also, it really isn't too late to crate train your baby and it really is a good thing to do. Dogs like their "caves" and will happily hide in one when frightened by things like lightning. (I know of one dog who runs right to the bathtub and stays in it until a storm has passed.)