I was hesitant to post this in any other subreddit, just because non-corgi owners sometimes have trouble understanding the infamous corgi bark. 

I recently moved from a second-floor condo to an apartment, and my 7-year old boy is struggling to acclimate. 

He’s gotten better about not reacting to people talking and hearing other dogs close by (I am right next to the main pool in the complex so it’s a busier area), but he loses his ever-loving mind EVERY single time he hears a door close. He does his typical loud howl alert bark, and then starts crying/whining immediately after he has these barking fits. The apartment directly behind mine has younger kids that let the door slam shut multiple times throughout the day when they’re running up and down the hallway. I am at my wits end with the maniacal barking in such close proximity all day long. 

Some context: I did down-size slightly when I moved, but not enough to really impact his day-to-day routine. He is still getting plenty of walks/outside time and we play inside every day, so I know exercise is not the issue.

I’ve tried ignoring the behavior entirely, doesn’t lessen the outbursts. I have background noise via the TV on pretty much all the time. I started crating him again after several years of not even having his crate set up, to use it as “quiet time” when he gets especially worked up. I calmly and quietly say “crate” when he has these fits and he will go in my room to his crate and he does quiet down/relax. I even started using his bark collar again (not a shock collar, just beeps and vibrates when his barking reaches a certain noise level), which I also haven’t used in several years. He is completely de-sensitized to this collar now, he still barks with it on. 

I really hate the idea of crating him when I am at home. I want him out with me or at least to have the ability to free roam without being confined to one room. I understand that he’s always going to be a barker, I just don’t know how to help him understand that people coming and going isn’t something to be this concerned about. 

If you have any suggestions, please, I am all ears! Mine, in addition to my nerves, need a break. 

Recently moved: tips for acclimating?