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How I Stopped my Dog from Barking When I Leave my Apartment

December 01, 20244 min read

Kai's Apartment Life Story

Hi, I’m Kai, and this is my story...

A year ago, my mom adopted me, a sweet rescue dog who needed a second chance. Little did she know, my life before her was tough, leaving me with some behaviors that were hard for both of us to handle. You see, I’m what they call a “leash-reactive” dog, and I also have a bit of a barking problem. My mom already had Gracie, a calm and easy-going dog, and I’m sure she hoped I would fit in just as smoothly. But life had other plans.

Our Rocky Start

My mom is no stranger to rescue dogs. She’s dedicated her time to helping animals like me, driving countless miles to transport rescues to their forever homes. But despite all her experience, nothing quite prepared her for the challenges I brought along. In our first apartment, things got rough. I barked a lot—so much that the neighbors started to complain. Mom tried everything she could think of to help me. She used an ultra-sonic bark box and played music made specifically for dogs. While some of these worked for a short while, my aggressive behavior and constant barking didn’t stop. Eventually, the apartment manager gave Mom an ultimatum: either get rid of me or find somewhere else to live.

Of course, Mom chose to move. But deep down, I knew she was still worried because nothing she tried seemed to make a difference. In our new apartment, the barking continued. She tried everything from bedtime stories told in a calming voice to CBD products, and the pheromone plug-in and collar, but nothing seemed to have a lasting effect. Then, the dreaded email came—a neighbor had complained again about my barking, and Mom was running out of options.

The Turning Point...Calm Animal Solutions

That’s when Mom found Calm Animal Solutions and met Catherine Winfree. Catherine understood our situation like no one else had before. She helped Mom see that I was just trying to protect her, even when she wasn’t home. It’s in our nature as dogs to want to keep our people safe, and when we can’t, it makes us anxious. Calm Animal Solutions created a unique blend of flower essences just for me and mom, with this goal:

"Kai, you are calm and relaxed at all times and prefer not to have to bark, especially when you hear or see other dogs. You are confident that Mom is always safe and capable of protecting herself."

Catherine explained that I could sense when Mom was worried, which made me even more anxious. So, the more Mom worried about my barking, the more I barked. With Calm Animal Solutions, which addressed both our needs, mom and I started to relax. I could finally calm down enough to learn the commands Mom had been trying to teach me all along.

Our Calmer Life

Thanks to Calm Animal Solutions, life has changed for the better. My special blend of flower essences helps me stay calm and focused, and Mom? Well, she’s more relaxed than ever. Now, when she leaves for work, I don’t feel the need to bark endlessly. I trust that she’s safe and that she’ll come back home to me and Gracie. The best part? I’m finally able to learn the commands Mom’s been teaching me. The less I bark, the calmer she gets, and the better our life together becomes.

Mom's Progress Report

Living in an apartment with Kai’s reactive barking used to feel stressful. I was constantly worried about disturbing the neighbors and getting warnings from management. But after I sprayed my apartment with the unscented special blend Calm Animal Solutions created for Kai and me, things have drastically improved. Kai is so much calmer and more in tune with me, which has made apartment living much more peaceful. When he hears other dogs in the hallway, Kai no longer feels the need to bark or react. I don’t have to worry about upsetting the neighbors or getting another warning. Instead, we both feel more relaxed and at ease in our space. The calming energy in the apartment is incredible, and it’s clear that this blend has made a huge difference in how Kai responds to our environment. Apartment life is no longer a source of stress, but a comfortable home for all three of us.

A few before and after videos documenting Kai's improvements...



Conclusion

Kai’s journey reminds us that even the toughest challenges can be overcome with patience, understanding, and the right support. Through Calm Animal Solutions, both Kai and I found a sense of peace we never thought possible. Our home is no longer filled with stress and anxiety but instead with trust, calmness, and love. If you’re facing similar struggles with your pet, know that there is hope and help available. Kai’s transformation proves that every dog—and every owner—deserves the chance to thrive together.

blog author image

Catherine Winfree

Catherine Winfree is a nationally certified health and wellness coach, medical massage therapist, animal communicator, and flower essence practitioner. Supporting people and their pets to live in harmony with customized flower essence blends is the basis of her Calm Animal Solutions and Be Calm Solutions businesses.

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Before and After Videos

Before and After Videos

Calm Canines Unleashed:

Magical Before & After videos!

Command Training Improvement

Supported by WELL-TRAINED DOG Solution

Take a look at the increased tail wagging!

before

3-weeks after

Reative Barking Dog

Calmed By Quiet Dog Solution

Notice how much calmer the barking dog's eyes are 2-weeks after Quiet Dog Solution.

before

1 week after

2 weeks after

How to calm a leash reactive dog

Supported by a Customized Goal Statement Solution

Take a look at how Kai loses interest in the other dog!

before

2-weeks after

Before and After Videos

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

Paw Praises

No More Fear of Garbage Trucks

No More Fear of Thunder and Leaf Blowers

No More Begging to be Carried Downstairs

dog laying on wood floor lookin up

GOAL:

Stay Relaxed and Calm with all Noises

outdoor photo of white dog with eyes closed sensing something to the left

GOAL:

Comfort with all Noises

brown and white dog laying at the top of the stairs

GOAL:

Confidence Going Down the Stairs

I always know when the garbage truck is in the neighborhood because my dog goes and hides in the upstairs bathroom.

One week later:

I was sure the garbage truck had not come because Shay stayed downstairs all day. Yet, I noticed my neighbors taking their garbage cans back to their houses. I went and checked mine, and sure enough, it was EMPTY! I’m so glad Shay does not feel the need to hide from the garbage truck anymore.

— GM

Pepper would let me know hours in advance that a storm was on the way. And she always went inside when I was blowing leaves.

One week later:

I was surprised to see a thunderstorm rolling in. I was used to Pepper letting me know hours ahead that a storm was on the way. She was curled up on the couch, sleeping through the whole storm. I also noticed she is content to be outside with me while I’m blowing leaves.

— VB

I know I created a problem when I started carrying Precious down the stairs instead of letting her manage the steps on her own. Several times a day she would whimper at the top of the stairs, waiting for me to carry her down.

One week later:

I was able to ignore the whimpers and noticed Precious had come down the stairs to where I was on her own.

— EW

No More Fear of Garbage Trucks

dog laying on wood floor lookin up

GOAL:

Stay Relaxed and Calm with all Noises

I always know when the garbage truck is in the neighborhood because my dog goes and hides in the upstairs bathroom.

One week later:

I was sure the garbage truck had not come because Shay stayed downstairs all day. Yet, I noticed my neighbors taking their garbage cans back to their houses. I went and checked mine, and sure enough, it was EMPTY! I’m so glad Shay does not feel the need to hide from the garbage truck anymore.

— GM

No More Fear of Thunder and Leaf Blowers

outdoor photo of white dog with eyes closed sensing something to the left

GOAL:

Comfort with all Noises

Pepper would let me know hours in advance that a storm was on the way. And she always went inside when I was blowing leaves.

One week later:

I was surprised to see a thunderstorm rolling in. I was used to Pepper letting me know hours ahead that a storm was on the way. She was curled up on the couch, sleeping through the whole storm. I also noticed she is content to be outside with me while I’m blowing leaves.

— VB

No More Begging to be Carried Downstairs

brown and white dog laying at the top of the stairs

GOAL:

Confidence Going Down the Stairs

I know I created a problem when I started carrying Precious down the stairs instead of letting her manage the steps on her own. Several times a day she would whimper at the top of the stairs, waiting for me to carry her down.

One week later:

I was able to ignore the whimpers and noticed Precious had come down the stairs to where I was on her own.

— EW

...more PRAISES

No More Jumping on the House Guests

Improved Dog Training and Behavior

From Car Sick Dog to Traveling Dog

brown and white dog with a happy looking face_pink background

GOAL:

Calm and Confident Greeter

man with dark hair and facial hair crouched down and leaning in close to a white dog with a chest leash

GOAL:

Come Quickly and Steady Leash Walking

close up photo or older reddish-brown dog

GOAL:

Stay Relaxed During Car Rides

I'm seeing signs of change in Ginny, every time I sat down, I realized she wasn't jumping on my lap for attention. I've left the house about four times; when I return, she doesn't jump on me until I've put all my stuff down and start petting the dogs.

One week later:

I opened the door to find three dogs, each with all four paws on the floor, wagging their tails. Nobody was jumping on me or winding around my feet, tripping me.

— JU

I wasn’t expecting much, but the essences have really helped our dog.

One week later:

I noticed Max was responding to the first call to ‘come’. He was pulling less on the leash when he was distracted by a squirrel.

— MB

We are an on-the-go-family. Our new rescue dog, Sparrow, had a nervous stomach, which made traveling miserable for him.

One week later:

I am so pleased to report Sparrow is much more relaxed in the car—he goes with us everywhere!

— EW

A Trained Animal Communicator Connects with Your Pet

With every order, a trained animal communicator connects with your pet to choose the right blend of flower essences

(e.g. Bach Flower Essences) for calming their anxiety. Custom blended flower essences are natural pet calming products.

all-natural vegan and organic ingredients icon
icon showing molecular representation of vegetable glycerin against a blue carrot background
icon showing molecular representation of water against a blue water drop
flower essences icon with blue flowers in the middle
unscented, oil-free, non-herbal, CBD-free and fragrance-free icon
logo with artistic drawing of a cat, a dog and a horse

Calm Animal Solutions

Calm Animal Solutions offers customized, natural remedies for dog anxiety, and are calming for cats. Plus, we create blends for horses, small animal pets, birds, poultry, reptiles, and fish.

#CalmAnimalSolutions

on Instagram.

©2024, Catherine Winfree. All rights reserved.

Mandatory FDA Notice: The statements made regarding Calm Animal Solutions have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any animal disease. Although the ingredients in Calm Animal Solutions are generally regarded as safe, you are encouraged to consult your veterinary before using any essence product (such as Bach Flower Essences, for example).

...more PRAISES

No More Jumping on the House Guests

brown and white dog with a happy looking face_pink background

GOAL:

Calm and Confident Greeter

I'm seeing signs of change in Ginny, every time I sat down, I realized she wasn't jumping on my lap for attention. I've left the house about four times; when I return, she doesn't jump on me until I've put all my stuff down and start petting the dogs.

One week later:

I opened the door to find three dogs, each with all four paws on the floor, wagging their tails. Nobody was jumping on me or winding around my feet, tripping me.

— JU

Improved Dog Training and Behavior

man with dark hair and facial hair crouched down and leaning in close to a white dog with a chest leash

GOAL:

Come Quickly and Steady Leash Walking

I wasn’t expecting much, but the essences have really helped our dog.

One week later:

I noticed Max was responding to the first call to ‘come’. He was pulling less on the leash when he was distracted by a squirrel.

— MB

FROM CAR SICK DOG TO TRAVELING DOG

close up photo or older reddish-brown dog

GOAL:

Stay Relaxed During Car Rides

We are an on-the-go-family. Our new rescue dog, Sparrow, had a nervous stomach, which made traveling miserable for him.

One week later:

I am so pleased to report Sparrow is much more relaxed in the car—he goes with us everywhere!

— EW

A Trained Animal Communicator Connects with Your Pet

With every order, a trained animal communicator connects with your pet to choose the right blend of flower essences (e.g. Bach Flower Essences) for calming their anxiety. Custom blended flower essences are natural pet calming products.

all-natural vegan and organic ingredients icon
unscented, oil-free, non-herbal, CBD-free and fragrance-free icon
icon showing molecular representation of water against a blue water drop
flower essences icon with blue flowers in the middle
icon showing molecular representation of vegetable glycerin against a blue carrot background

Mandatory FDA Notice: The statements made regarding Calm Animal Solutions have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any animal disease. Although the ingredients in Calm Animal Solutions are generally regarded as safe, you are encouraged to consult your veterinary before using any essence product.

logo with artistic drawing of a cat, a dog and a horse

©2024, Catherine Winfree. All rights reserved.