Dog Barking A Misunderstood Annoyance That Can Be ResolvedA dog barking can quickly become a huge annoyance when it becomes excessive or constant and whether you are a new pet parent of a puppy or a parent of an old seasoned dog from a rescue shelter, it's quite likely that at some point you will be dealing with some type of barking or other bad habit.
Often people are pleased that their dog is barking to let them know of approaching guest to their house or that they need to go outside but it's not uncommon for a dog to quickly develop a bad habit and turn that natural behavior into a dog barking problem.
The first thing a pet parent needs to realize is that barking is a perfect normal and natural form of communication for your dog and it does serve a function. The important issue is to identify what's causing your dog to problem bark before you can even begin to change their barking behavior. To start your de-barking project, you need to decide what kind of barker your dog is. This is going to require you to monitor your dog fairly closely for a few days and up to a week. So get a pad and a pen and if you need to get more than one to set different places around the house for convenience, do so.
Use these to record every time you hear your dog bark and look for and record the following information:
Once the week is over, collect all of your note pads from around the house and start going over your notes. The first thing you are looking for is what is causing your dog to bark? By determining the cause, you can then better determine how to deal with it.
There are five main types of barking:
Demand Barkinga demand being made by your dog, usually directed at you. The problem is that as pet parents we usually reinforce this bad behavior by reacting to it. For example, when your dog is outside and begins to stand at the patio door and you jump right up and let them in, then you have just reinforced this dog barking behavior and the next time they will probably longer and louder to achieve the same results. The whole point of this bark is that your dog now believes he has gained control over you.Lonely & Boredom Barkingis caused from loneliness and boredom. You often see it in dogs that are left alone all day while they pet parents are at work. It's important that every dog gets enough stimulation and activity each day to avoid this situation or it can lead to even more bad habits like chewing up the furniture or digging giant holes in the yard. It's important to exercise your dog everyday and make sure they have sufficient stimulation such as chew bones and lots of toys to entertain themselves while you are away. If you have resources such as a neighbor who can look in on your dog or doggie day care then this is ideal.Safety and Protection and Anxiety Barkingis a dog's way of warding of potential threats and keeping them at a safe distance. This type of dog barking can go on for ten, twenty even thirty minutes. It can be accompanied by high levels of anxiety, shaking and pacing. Attempts at calming your dog will likely fail and may only serve to enhance your dog's barking and anxiety. Instead, work on what it is that your dog is afraid of and try to introduce them to it a little at a time. Use distractions when introducing them to a new situation such as toys or food. Never force your dog into a situation, instead be patient and they will eventually come around.Warning and Security Barkingis a dog's bark that is generally used in a pack or group situation to warn their other pack members of an impending danger. However, as dog's have integrated into human's culture, they often use this bark to warn their families of potential security risk such as unwelcome visitors. This bark is generally not troublesome and usually only last as long as the dog feels there is a risk but can become a problem for a dog that is not properly socialized.Anticipation Barkingis easily recognized as the high pitched, over excited, dancing and jumping around bark. You know the one, where your dog knows something really great is coming, something that they love, such as going for a walk or getting a treat. They get so excited sometimes but do not yell at your dog or jerk on their chain as that will only serve to add to their excitability. To help keep your dog at a more even keel, always make sure that your dog is properly exercised and take the time to properly train them from the very beginning.
Dog Barking is a habit that can quickly become an irritation but it can also quickly be overcome with time and work. Remember not to add to the chaos by yelling loudly or jerking on their chain or losing your temper. Use distractions such as introducing a toy or a chew bone . 
If something specific sets your dog's barking off, then interrupt your dog immediately when they start barking. It's also important to teach your dog basic training from the very beginning such as down, heel, stay, etc. Without these basic commands, it will be very difficult to work with your dog. So take the time and train your dog from the beginning. Remember that dog barking is your dog's way of communicating, so don't just assume they are barking for no reason. Make sure you check it out for a number of days and really observe their behavior. The utilize the techniques listed above and you will accomplish your goal of eliminating the bark that is disrupting the peace in your home. Remember patience, time and work are the key to conquering any bad habit.
Return To Homepage From Dog Barking Click Here To Go To Bad-Dog Training
|
