Why does my dog bark? What can I do to stop him/her from barking?
This was the topic I chose to write about today, because it seemed this was what most people wanted to learn about and/or were concerned about. There are plenty of reasons a dog barks. Let's cover them, and learn what we can do as handlers to fix excessive barking.
First let me start with this. No one should expect a dog to NEVER bark. This is a completely unreasonable request. It would be like expecting a child not to talk. Having said that, there are dogs whether by conditioning, or certain breed, which bark excessively. The first step in figuring out how to fix excessive barking, would be to figure out WHY they are barking in the first place. Remember. I personally believe in finding the problem, and fixing it at the root, rather than just dealing with the symptom.
Barking is one of many ways a dog communicates to you. It's one type of vocal communication and it can mean a variety of different things. Here is a list of some reasons dogs bark.
TERRITORIAL/PROTECTIVE: When a person or an animal comes into an area, your dog considers his/her territory, it often triggers excessive barking. As the threat, or stimulation gets closer, the barking can get louder and more frequent. You can tell this type of barking by the dogs body language. They will look alert and aggressive.
FEAR: Some dogs will bark at any noise of object because it catches their attention and startles them. This can happen anywhere, not just in their home territory.
BOREDOM/LONELINESS:
Dogs ARE pack animals, despite what some trainers will tell you. Dogs which are left along for long periods of time, regardless of where, can be come bored, and will bark because they are bored.
PLAY: Dogs often bark when greeting people, and even other animals. It's usually a happy bark, accompanied with tail wagging and the occasional jumping.
SEPARATION ANXIETY: Dogs with separation anxiety are some of the worst excessive barking dogs you will ever find. They simply bark because you are not right next to them, and this is a huge problem. The dog will show sings of depression, destructive behavior and pacing, along with barking excessively to get your attention.
So ask yourself this question, knowing your dog. Why does my dog bark? Is it because my dog has separation anxiety? Are they afraid of something? Are they alerting me to danger? What is the real problem.
Read those descriptions above and try to figure out WHY your dog is barking. Let me cover some of the most common ways to fix them problem.
Lets talk about separation anxiety. This is absolutely crucial to cover because I am seeing this type of barking more and more as the years pass. This probably more than most is what I see.
You need to let your dog be a dog. It's okay for a dog to lay on the carpet or the floor, and not your lap or couch. It's okay to leave your dog outside ALL BY THEMSELVES for hours and hours and hours, provided there is safety and adequate access to water. They will find their own shade.They will be okay. When dealing with this, it's absolutely crucial you NEVER EVER EVER EVER respond to their whining or barking. Don't try avoiding the problem with things like a Thunder Shirt. Those are a waste of time, and a waste of money.
Remember, timing is everything. So, if the dog has been whining or barking for a while, and as soon as they are done, you go and open the door or show them attention, they will thing they have been rewarded for barking and whining. So make them wait for a few minutes. 3 to 5 for their first time. Then let them out. Praise them briefly, but do not be over excited to see them. This will simply create a bigger need to be with you, and a feeling of "you saved me from that horrible experience."
Now lets talk about barking out of fear, or sudden stimulation. Another one of largest excessive barking problems I see. You're sitting out front on your lawn, and as every vehicle passes by, every loud truck, every dog, every sound of an engine starting, ETC. Each time this happens, you notice your dog barks. Maybe once of twice, or maybe they just will not stop.
Some of the ways you can fix this problem is by over exposing your dog to it. So while they eat, when they are really hungry, put a stereo right next to their dish. While they are training, clap your hands frequently, drop your keys, drag your feet. This is a problem of lack of stimulation training. They haven't been exposed to enough noises, and realized it's nothing to bark at or alert you too. Once they are calm, and have been, then reward them. When they are eating, if you need too, make them really really hungry, have the vacuum right next to their head and make them listen to it running, while they eat.
What I've talked about are obviously COERCIVE methods of fixing a few issues. There are compulsive methods as well, but as many of you know personally, if I can fix a problem by the coercive method, I will every time. I only use a compulsive method, if that's the way the dog is going to respond the best. You can, if you wish, always give your dog a verbal correction for barking, but be sure you know why they are barking first. If they are barking because of anxiety, all you've done is in a way, if not done properly, shown them attention, which does not help.
There would be no way for me to cover each different scenario, or each different type of bark, in a simply Sunday training tip. But I hope for most of you, this gives you some direction on how to help your dog.
Thanks
Russ
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