The Sound Of Silence

54*, 45% humidity, SE 5 mph wind, fair

Do you hear that beautiful sound?

No, not the sound of me not blogging lately because I've been extraordinarily busy, but pure silence. For two weeks now I've not had a moments peace or a quiet night's sleep either while at home and though I love this new pup dearly we HAD to do something about the excessive amounts of barking. My good natured neighbors didn't complain to my surprise about the constant barking but it was only a matter of time. I tried every trick in the book that I knew of to try to break her barking. If you know what a coon hound's barking sounds like then I'm sure you'll have sympathy for me having it constantly. It's LOUD. It's very frustrating and I was starting to get discouraged and angry too, something I don't want to feel towards this pup. She's a good dog other then the barking. Very smart too. I've taught her tricks. Sit, down, shake paw, and beg. I don't care about the now torn curtain, the new tear in the couch, the slipper now chew toy, but the barking....I was at my breaking point.

Someone suggested to me last week to use a barking collar, something that gives the dog a shock when they bark. I tossed aside the idea. I didn't want to use a device like that on my pup. But after this morning, when I couldn't even escape to peace and quiet meditation in my garden I nearly lost it. by this afternoon, head ringing from a headache from the barking, I went to Waldeath and bought one of those collars.

20 minutes later, one bark then all was silence. I tested the jolt on myself first and felt a pang of guilt that I will be using this on Brandi. it didn't hurt me at all, but it was rather startling. Brandi, startled from the first warning buzz, didn't back again. She acted as if she knew exactly what that was. I have a sneaky suspicion that she has worn one in her previous life before ending up at the hound rescue. I was able to even sit outside and visit with the cats without Brandi bringing down the house. I've got to say, it was a huge relief to get some silence. I think I will be sleeping like a baby too tonight. The first real sleep in 2 weeks....That, and now I don't have to fear that someone will complain and make us get rid of the dog. The association can be strange about things like that.