TV works. Our dog watches animal planet. Dog toys work. Our dog doesn't seem to mind being left alone. We never put our dog in jail i.e. crate. Maybe that is the reason your dog barks. Our dog was crate trained when we got him. Breeders big selling point. :h. Once we threw away the crate and made him part of the family training was real easy. JMHO crates are for breeders and dog show people transporting dogs that aren't part of their family. BTW when Jake (our ACD)isn't watching animal planet he lays on the dash board and watches the people walk by.