I am a terrible dog owner... please help!

 if it's that bad - he should really see the vet for some antibiotics.

Please don't beat yourself up over this.  We all do and try things ultimately for the sake of our dogs...and that is what you were trying to do here.

Gently wash it with just soap and wter.  If you have some Neosporin or antibiotic cream...you can put that on there as well.

You will need further advice on the excessive barking, of which I will be no help. 

Good luck.

As far as "first aid" what CoBuHe said altho since it's likely an electrical burn I'm going to tell you to put fresh aloe on it (not aloe 'cream' or handcream -- but I mean literally get someone to give you 2-3 leaves off an aloe plant -- trim the stickers off the two edges and then slit it flat-wise top to bottom -- put each gooey flat piece on a piece of Saran Wrap and scrape with the back of a spoon and all the gel will go to liquid -- toss the skins and pick up the Saran and squeeze the goo into a small airtight container).

Refrigerate -- but slater that "goo" on several times a day -- best thing for an inflamed area or 'burn' ever. 

**If** it appears infected DO go to the vet b/c you'll need antibiotics. 

Do watch for any sign of seizure or ill effects.

You aren't the worst owner ever -- trust me, we've ALL made mistakes, and guess what?  You'll never do THAT again, nor will you be as quick to believe someone who gives you a 'can't fail' advice like that.

There was a REALLY good thread on this not long ago with another owner/guardian in the same situation.  When I get home I'll try to find it but that won't be til midnight. *sigh*

However -- UNTIL you can rectify this and re-train -- re-examine where you have the crate.  Make SURE you have something thick under it -- if you're in an apartment things like concrete and linoleum suddenly become SUPERB sound-conductors.  So a piece of cheap carpeting and a folded up quilt or similar UNDER the crate will help.  Then if it's a wire crate throw a couple of yardsticks over the top that are *wider* than the crate and toss another blanket or piece of carpeting OVER the top of the crate and make something of a sound barrier  -- just don't cover the whole crate -- you gotta leave room for air.

FANS make great white noise -- like a cheap box/floor fan plugged in pretty near the crate will help cover noise.

See -- not just to cover up barking -- BUT the dog barks to respond to what it hears going on around it -- so things like leaving the TV running, white noise, closing drapes if possible -- even making sure the crate is NOT on a wall common with your neighbors or that the crate is in a bedroom that's carpeting and somewhat sound-insulated -- that can help a great deal.

sl2crmeg

I'd be worried about damage done to her heart by the electrical shock.

How do you know this damage was done by electrical shock? Dogs that have damage done by bark collars and e-collars are usually the result of the collar being left on too long and in the same spot on the neck, and possibly too tight- which is what this sounds like, especially with the fur being matted around the collar. Those collars shouldn't be left on your dog 24/7. And *IF* this was done by an electrical shock there would be more of a burn mark, not a sore and matted fur.

Regardless, the dog has a sore, I would take Callie's advice and if it's really bad take your dog to the vet.

Wyck

I really appreciate any help, but please help!

Please take a look at "Barking: The Sound of a Language" www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB989

Also available on Amazon.