Well, my problem is that we have 2 small dogs that love to bark. One is an older bichon (7 years old), who responded successfully to a spray collar, and we barely have to use it anymore .. he's far more tame, relaxed etc.
The other is younger (2 years old) who will yap and yap incessantly.
I thought people might be a little more understanding here when I say that my nervous system is 'fried' from years of trauma and anxiety .. brushing up against a flower accidentally will cause me to jump in fright. But we live in a very small house, with about 5 dogs surrounding us. Almost inevitably, it is the youngest dog that will set off the others .. he has the most horrible, high-pitched squeal that can basically reduce me to tears. Every time he barks, my whole system goes into high alert, and I just don't recover after that.
I can do nothing all day because I have a broken sleep cycle .. and am mostly bed-ridden, so rarely 'exhaust' myself working or being out. But whereas that used to be fine, and I enjoyed being a night owl, now I get woken up after 2-3 hours sleep early every morning by the little dog. I can never relax in bed anymore, which was my one escape .. I lie in bed feeling sick, wondering when he's inevitably gong to bark and wake me.
I'm sorry if this sounds a bit melodramatic, but it's true. The dog is testing the little sanity I have left .. my brothers like him, but in all honesty I can't stand him because of all of this. I know he will ideally have to be trained, but right now it's impossible for me to e.g. be there when he barks early in the morning, or have to run downstairs and correct him everytime I'm trying to read something, because he barks at everything that moves.
We have tried the Spray Collar on him and it had no effect .. so I had been wondering whether a 'vibrating' collar would be of any use, or just a waste of time?