How long has the dog lived there and any idea on how old the dog is? I know when I first moved in with Navarre, he barked for awhile but when he got used to the sights/sounds of the backyard then he was good. I'm going through that right now with Issy since she's "found" her bark!! She's ok with the dogs behind me but the one on the side (that she can't see) they have a bark fest every morning cause they go out at about the same time, but not for long just in little bursts!! I'm very lucky in that both my neighbors have dogs and they're both like, "hey, dogs bark, it's what they do!" It sounds like the owner isn't very consistent, either crate the dog or leave her/him outside,(yes 7-3/4 is a long time but that's what most people work realistically) she needs to get used to a routine no matter what it is! And the whole collar thing, God if the dog is yelping in pain something is WRONG!!!! Hopefully something will get better for this poor dog, good luck!!