By Dr Julie Summerfield
Barking is perfectly normal dog behaviour and is how dogs communicate with us! However, when barking is excessive or inappropriate it can become a real nuisance, and may result in being less than popular with the neighbours to say the least!
Dogs are very social animals and will bark if they are left alone or confined for long periods. Other causes can include stress, fear, boredom, excitement, as well seeking attention or merely greeting us! So the first step in solving the problem is to try and understand why your dog is barking.
Just like us, dogs need companionship and stimulation. Some dogs bark because they have nothing better to do! Spend quality time as often as you can, playing games and going for walks. This will exercise both body and mind, and help keep boredom at bay!
When you can’t be around, hide doggy toys stuffed with yummy food treats, raw bones or pig’s ears to keep him busy. Dog walking services or doggy day care is another option to combat boredom. Activities like this will certainly tire him out and most dogs love it!
Basic obedience training is a must! Always use positive reinforcement with food rewards or praise. Ignore your dog when he barks and as soon as the barking ceases, give a command “quiet” or “shush” and wait for a few seconds of silence before giving the treat. Repeat this and make the waiting intervals longer each time. Your dog learns to associate the command (and treat) with quiet, and gets nothing from barking.
It is very important not to punish your dog. If there is a component of stress or fear then this can make things worse, and unless you teach the dog a more appropriate way of behaving, you will just confuse him-you need to be an assertive but kind leader!
Counter-conditioning, is where instead of reprimanding the unwanted behaviour, you get your dogs attention with a clap, or stern voice and then ask the dog to do something you know he can do such as “sit” or “drop” then lavishly reward with food or praise. This allows your pooch to do the right thing and please you, which is all he wants to do anyway!
It’s very easy to give in to a barking dog by giving a food treat or attention just to keep him quiet, but this inadvertently gives a very different message to your dog! This tells him that every time he barks excessively, he will get something good like food or attention, and reinforces the undesirable behaviour. So as hard as it may be, try not to give in!
If the barking is in response to a certain stimulus, such as strangers or other animals walking by, or a noise such as a doorbell, try to remove the cause if possible e.g. disconnecting the doorbell, or moving your dog to a quieter area.
Anti-barking collars are available; they contain citronella spray, which is squirted every time the dog barks. They can be effective but are not long term and don’t actually treat the underlying cause. We are much better off trying to understand what our furry friend is trying to tell us! Talk to an expert before trying this treatment.
© Copyright VCA
Please note: This article was written in 2001. Dog training methods and ideas change frequently, please consult your vet or trainer to discuss whether this article would help your dog.
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How to deal with excessive barking
© Copyright VCA
Please note: This article was written in 2001. Dog training methods and ideas change frequently, please consult your vet or trainer to discuss whether this article would help your dog.