Q: I have a 6 year old, neutered rough coat Collie. He is loving, loyal and LOUD! The problem isn't his "talking" to us, but that he barks incessantly when out in our big back yard. He--I guess--feels very protective, particularly of me, his domain and his canine sister. My husband "tolerates" my boy but complains about his hyper nature. Since our neighbors recently moved their 70-year old mother with cancer in to their home, I am now in fear she isn't getting what little bit of peace she deserves, and my husband is getting even more frustrated than me.

We both work during the day, when Shiloh does most of his vocalizing. A bark collar has been recommended. But I'm wondering if they're? We also have a Golden Retriever female who economizes on her words. I love both of my dogs as if my children. But, the Collie seems to have some temperament concerns.

A: You're right to be concerned about your neighbors. Barking dogs are a huge problem in neighborhoods, resulting in some horrible consequences to the owners, and the dogs.

The best thing I can suggest is to move the dogs inside, no longer leaving them out without you. It will save them from a lot of other risks, too. A male dog taking it upon himself to protect the female could very well end up biting a child leaning over the fence, a meter reader, a utility repair worker, etc. It happens all the time. It's natural for the dog's territorial attitude to build and build and build in that situation.

If you're unwilling to keep the dog inside, lots of Collies undergo debarking surgery. I'm not recommending it, but it's what a lot of people do when they are not willing to keep the dogs as indoor dogs. Debarking surgery sometimes does not take, and there can be negative side effects, such as scar tissue that could complicate future surgical procedures. Some Collies are sensitive to anesthethics anyway, definitely a consideration.

A citronella bark collar might work. However, with a dog so constantly stimulated to bark and such an established habit, I wouldn't count on it. A shock collar for barking would be something I could not recommend. Any shock on a dog can cause negative temperament effects.

The overprotectiveness you describe might respond well to your taking him to obedience classes--more of them, if you've done some in the past. If he has not been neutered, that should be done. Chances are you would have to do it before long, due to health complications such as enlarged prostate, anyway. Most dogs need it, if they live long enough.

Collies are some of the most trainable dogs in the world, truly a joy for a trainer to handle. Provided he doesn't have any orthopedic problems that make movement painful for him, he's certainly not too old to learn. It could make a big difference. Then when you're outside with him and he barks, you can call him to you. Praise, pet him (to switch him out of that big adrenalin rush that comes with barking, and into a different state of canine drive entirely), then perhaps a food treat, or a game of ball, and release him. If he goes back to barking, immediately repeat, and do not get angry--keep your praise and reward sincere. You might have to call him 7 times in a row at first, but that will decrease, and he will become calmer. It's a real improvement to temperament.

However, as you can see, it takes the dog being trained to reliably come when you call, even when he's excited. And it takes your not leaving him outside unless you're there with him.

If the dogs are alone for more than 8 hours during the day, you might consider working out some arrangement for a potty break for them midday. Some people can manage to come home at noon. Others pay a pet sitter. Occasionally there is a friendly, reliable neighbor who can do it. Whoever you get, however, needs to be able to humanely and effectively handle that territorial male.

I hope this has given you some ideas. I have 2 Belgian Tervuren, which are busy, big, furry herding dogs like Collies. They stay in the house except when one of us is supervising them outdoors. With training, and a sense of humor, my husband and I totally delight in their busy antics. Everything we do interests them, every happy voice is a party to them. They are our 4-footed anti-depressants!