BARKING
WHY?
There are many different reasons why dogs bark. It is very natural for a dog to bark. Just like people talk, dogs bark to communicate things. Dogs have different types of barks. They may bark in a high pitch when they want to play, want attention, are afraid of something, when they are greeting you, etc. When they have a low pitch bark it usually means they are barking at something, someone in the yard, or to warn you that something isn’t right. Sometimes dogs may bark to simply hear themselves bark. They may not be barking at anything specific, they may also be barking because they have a lot of energy that they are trying to release. These barks are usually neither high nor low, but somewhere in the middle. One reason dogs may bark is if they feel alone. They may be outside chained up or fenced in. They may be inside in a crate, or with no one home. They may bark because they are feeling stressed (yes, dogs feel stress too!) or afraid because they hear a loud or unfamiliar noise. Another reason may be because they have just seen another animal. Maybe a dog is walking across the street, or a cat is running across the yard. Sometimes dogs may bark at a person, if they feel he is too close to their house and view him as an intruder. In this case, the barking may be good, as long as it doesn’t continue much after the person has passed. Dogs may also bark because they are feeling frustrated for one reason or another. Maybe they have a lot of energy and want you to play with them. Maybe they see a favorite toy outside, or have to go out to go to the bathroom. Your dog may bark when you tell it to do something that it doesn’t want to do and he’s talking back. Sometimes this type of barking can be okay, as long as you don’t mind it and it is not continuous.
SOLUTIONS
The first solution to stop or prevent your dog from barking is to understand why he’s barking. Does he have to go to the bathroom? Is there a cat in the yard? Once you realize what he is barking at it will be quite simple to solve his barking problem. If your dog is young he may be finding out that he can bark. It is much easier to teach a dog that is young, and just starting to do an undesirable behavior that is not acceptable, as opposed to an older dog that is has made it a habit. Barking is not a behavior that your dog will grow out of, in fact, if he is left to continue barking he will probably bark even MORE. We have to remember that barking comes naturally for dogs. It is how they communicate. We do not want to stop them from barking ever again, we just want to have the barking controlled. Uncontrolled barking may lead to frustration, complaints of neighbors, headaches, and maybe even abuse of a dog. Sometimes the same solution can be used as prevention from barking. If your dog is barking because he is bored, you can make sure he always has something to occupy himself. This is a perfect time to work on obedience with your dog. It will not only stop him from barking, but it will develop the bond between the two of you and have him understand in a positive way that you are the boss and he should listen to your
The Dog Park 608-276-8884 or 608-288-8464 Web Site: www.k9athleticclub.com Email: gwicker@k9athleticclub.com
commands. You can also use this time to play with your dog, make sure he is getting plenty of exercise. Also, make sure your dog has a variety of toys to chew and play with. If you keep your dog outside most of the time, bring him in with the family more. He may be barking because he is lonely and wants to be with his family, or his “pack”. Dogs are social, pack animals and may lonely or afraid if they are outside and they know their pack is inside. If you are keeping your dog outside more because of barking and other problems that are occurring inside the home, this is a perfect time to work on correcting the problems instead of taking him outside and avoiding them. The last thing you want to do if your dog is barking at something is to try and quiet him down by petting him, or talking in a soothing voice, or giving him a treat. These are all positive signals to a dog. Even if you are telling your dog no, if you are saying it in a soft, soothing voice, he is going to interpret it as a reward. Instead of praising him when he is barking, praise him when he is being quiet. If your dog is barking at something that he can see, you can try taking him to a different room, or somewhere else, where he cannot see the object he is barking at. If you leave your dog home during the day and he’s not in a crate, you can close your shades so he cannot see things outside that he may be barking at. You can also turn on a radio so he cannot hear those noises outside that are causing him to bark. When your dog is barking at something, or for no apparent reason, a good way to stop him is to distract him with a loud noise. You can take an empty soda can, put some coins in it and tape the opening shut. When your dog starts barking grab the can and shake it to make noise. Your dog will most likely stop barking to turn around and see what the commotion is. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water (water only) to surprise the dog. The command for your dog to stop barking should be “quiet” or “that’s enough”. Once you have given the command use a loud noise as a distraction. As soon as your dog is quiet, reward him with praise, petting or even a treat if you have one you can give him right away. This will work the best if you distract your dog after you have rewarded him for being quiet. Maybe ask him to lay down and then praise him again. Or find his favorite chew toy, or ball to play with. Your dog may be barking at strangers he sees in the yard, or people walking by. A good way to help with this is to have the people help you. Ask a friend to come over. Have them bring dog treats and walk on the sidewalk outside your house. As soon as your dog has silenced have your friend give them a treat. That will help your dog understand that people walking by should not be viewed as threats. With barking and all undesirable behaviors, remember to be consistent in your training. You can’t correct your dog from barking only when it’s become bothersome. You need to correct it each and every time your dog barks. Never call your dog to you to correct him. And always remember to reward and praise him when he’s done a good job.
The Dog Park 608-276-8884 or 608-288-8464 Web Site: www.k9athleticclub.com Email: gwicker@k9athleticclub.com