Why They Bark
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. Some bark for attention and some dogs use barking to try and communicate with their humans or other dogs. Some barking is brought on by a desire to warn their household that visitors are approaching or they observe some other type of activity that’s taking place outside. Barking can also be brought on by boredom, frustration, loneliness, and fear.
Certain breeds such as beagles, dachshund, terriers, and Yorkies have a tendency to be barkers. It was bred into these dogs for thousands of years and they are only doing what comes naturally.
What Not to Do!
Pet owners may think that yelling, squirting with water, or using shock collars stops barking. The truth is punishment rarely works and should be avoided when it comes to any type of animal training. When we yell at the do and tell them no – an already excited animal might feed off your emotion and think that barking is a good thing.
Recommendations:
Begin training your dog when they are young, if possible. If you expose your dog to triggering sounds when she’s a puppy and reward her for remaining calm and quiet, she’ll be more comfortable in these situation as she grows into adulthood.
Consistency is always key in training dogs. Everyone in the household should use the same command – such as “quiet”. It should be said calmly and not in an excited voice. Then, ignore the dog so no one inadvertently rewards her with more attention.
Have patience with your dog. It may take weeks of repetitive training for her to learn the new behavior.
Regular exercise and socialization can help alleviate excessive barking brought on by boredom. It also helps to stimulate your dog with play, training time, and games. Dogs communicate by barking and it helps to give your dog an opportunity to interact with other dogs. A dog park or some type of doggie daycare is a good way to offer your dog a means to socialize with other canines. This is a good suggestion for dogs that are fenced and are unable to interact with other creatures on a regular basis.
Dogs that are confined to an area like a fenced in yard but have visible and audio access to street activity or neighbors, may bark in frustration. The only alternative is to bring them in or shield them from exposure to people and other animals. If you bring your dog inside every time she barks, this may also help teach her not to bark outside.
Turn Your Back
Ignore your dog if they are barking for attention. Walk away when possible. The dog will learn that barking makes you leave and that quiet brings you back.
Quiet Command
Scolding a dog does not work for this type of behavioral training. You will be more successful by using positive reinforcement. You can begin this training by teaching your pet a command such as “quiet”. One way to begin training of this command is to have a friend come to your door but right before the knock or doorbell is employed, put a small snack in front of your dog’s nose. Reward him with a treat once he learns to obey the command to be quiet. Once the dog begins to understand the command you can teach it to him in other similar situations when barking occurs. This type of training can also be reinforced with clicker training.
Some dogs may be more frustrated and fearful which may lead to a frustration in attempting to teach the “quiet” command. If your dog is high strung and nervous, they should have a behavioral modification plan focusing on the cause of the problem. Medications for this type of anxiety may be necessary also.
Citronella Collar
The Citronella Collar – Studies have shown that these collars are not only very safe for your dog but are also very effective. A dogs barking causes the collar to spray a mist of citronella scent. Dogs are not crazy about the hissing sound or the scent in their nose and quickly learn to stop barking. This option may not be a good choice for some dogs with anxiety. It may actually make the problem worse by causing additional uneasiness in the animal.
Speaking on Cue
Teaching dogs to bark on command can provide you with an on/off switch. Begin by holding a treat and having her sit. Wait while she tries various tactics to win the treat. When she finally makes any vocal noise, say “speak” and offer the treat. Practice this until she successfully barks on cue several times in a row. Then use a similar process to introduce a quiet command. For instance, say “quiet” every time your dog stops barking, even if it’s only while she’s taking a breath before her next bark.
Separation Anxiety Barking
Dogs that bark due to separation anxiety present more of a challenge. They’ll need a combination of rewards for more independent behavior, such as lying calmly away from their owners, and they may need medication in addition to behavior modification. If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, speak to your veterinarian.
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