Don't get 'pal' for barking dog

Dear Uncle Matty: My dog is 5 years old, and I'm gone half the day. When I'm not home, he stays in our fenced backyard, where he has his own faucet for water and a doghouse. He also has toys to play with. My new neighbor says that after I leave every day, Wolfgang barks for about half an hour.

My previous neighbors never mentioned that, but they had a dog that stayed outside in their yard and barked sometimes, so it was probably not an issue with them. I think my dog might be lonely, so my question is, should I get another dog to keep him company? — Marcella W., San Jose, Calif.

Dear Marcella: The only reason to get a second dog is if you really want one. Having two dogs is like having twins: double the trouble. In this case, you will probably wind up with two barking dogs instead of one. It appears that the barking is prompting your interest in getting a second dog — that perhaps you think if your dog has a buddy, he won't bark.

Your previous neighbors had a dog in their yard. Wolfgang was used to the presence of another pooch on the other side of the fence. He expected his four-legged neighbor to be there, and that became a habit like drinking out of his faucet or playing with a favorite ball. Getting a second dog is not the way to solve this or any canine problem. Dogs are more like "copycats" than one might think, and they can duplicate one another's bad behavior almost instantly.

So what's a mother to do? If your dog is not trained, now's a good time to work with a qualified professional who can train and modify the barking behavior. Dogs love to learn, and training is a wonderful diversion, not to mention it is the only thing that truly lets an owner and her dog communicate. A dog walker or pet sitter may also be a good idea for you.

Dogs don't have a real sense of time, so whether you are gone for an hour or four hours is not the issue. It's what you do when you are home that is important. Are you giving Wolfgang quality time? A nice long walk he can look forward to? Some playtime with a favorite toy? And lots of love, praise and affection every day? This kind of attention is extremely important for any dog. If you get a second dog, this kind of love and attention has to be given double time.