Let's face it, dogs bark. Barking in itself is
not wrong; it is natural. However excessive amounts of barking,
or barking at inappropriate times can be a real problem for
some owners. In order to successfully teach your dog to control
its barking it is important to determine the motivation behind
it.
Why do some dogs bark more than others?
The
Territorial dogs
These barkers are most often unneutered males and/or dogs that
have been encouraged in some way to take an active role in protecting
their environment. Whether on purpose or by accident we play a
big role in creating this problem. These dogs are protecting their
yard, house and general "space" from intruders such
as the mailman, a squirrel, a passing dog, a neighbor, or any
new activity.
Most people do not realize that any dog of any size
will protect its territory. It is a natural behavior. Believe
me, they know the difference between an unwanted visitor climbing
in the window at 2 a.m. or a friend coming to the front door for
dinner. There really is no need to teach protective behavior even
to a poodle. This comes naturally.
Neutering will always help any male "relax" their duties
as protector of the universe. However the "job" of protector
must be reassigned to someone else in order to stop over barking
behavior.
The bored or under-exercised dog
Any dog can fit this category. If you do not provide quality time
with your pet more than once a day then you have a bored dog.
Being tied out on a runner, walked for half an hour before and
after work or school is simply not enough. Dogs need both mental
and physical stimulation to create balance and fun in their lives.
The fearful or neurotic dog
Often a dog like this is under-socialized, coddled too much by
its owner, spends too much time not being alone. Or is rarely
taken on outings to experience new things. Many miniature breeds
can fit or fall easily into this category as well as dogs that
have been passed around from home to home several times. Shelter
and rescue dogs may easily fall into neurotic barking because
they have experienced so many changes in their short lives.
Often we make the problem worse by catering to the dogs' shyness
or fear. Patting and stroking a fearful dog while the behavior
is happening actually can make the problem worse.
Changing the way you do things
How much time do you spend with your dog?
If he/she is alone more than 8 hours that is part of your problem.
Where is the dog kept when alone?
Often allowing a terrier the run of the house can lead to bad
behavior. While you're gone they run from window to window alerting
the neighborhood that a squirrel has run by and someone better
do something because they are all locked up in the house. A crate
will alleviate pacing and worrying about what is going on outside
or simply confining the animal to one room will calm then and
remove the "job" of pacing and tracking the activities
outside.
What do you do when you are home?
Of course every dog owner goes for several walks with their dog
each day, right? But there is more to it. Do you play games and
give your dog stuff to do? Remember most dogs need a job. Frisbee,
fetch, find the toy. Anything for 1/2 an hour, TWICE A DAY.
What do you do when the behavior is
happening?
Many of us tell our dogs to SSHHH and pet them while they bark.
We beg and plead and stroke, "SHH, Please STOP, NO, NO, Don't
Bark, PAT, RUB, RUB." In actuality what is happening is,
Your dog is barking to say, "Hey there is something over
there or, "That person is a bit scary, don't you agree?"
By stroking the dog during the behavior, you are giving the dog
attention and (you got it) agreeing with your dog. "Pat,
pat, "hey, you're right I see it," stroke, pat. "Thanks
for the warning, we'd better keep an eye on that scary person,"
stroke, pat, pat. AAAHHHHHH this must STOP. Do not pet your dog
when he or she is doing something, ANYTHING that you do not want
him or her to do. STOP, stand there and ignore the behavior. If
your dog looks to you for a response DO NOTHING. Wait for your
dog to quiet down then PRAISE it. If it seems that your dog never
quiets down then try this:
While the behavior is going on BARK, BARK, BARK, . . .call your
dog to you, "Tucker Come." Tell him to SIT then reward
him for coming and sitting with a pat or a cookie while he is
enjoying your pat or the cookie chances are he is quiet. Then
tell him (or her) GOOD BOY, GOOD QUIET BOY. If you repeat this
every time your dog hears something and starts barking it will
eventually learn that it is better to come to you and sit and
wait for a reward than to bark at the door, the person or whatever
it is.
Barking at a visitor
When a dog runs to the door barking and jumping they perceive
the person on the other side as a trespasser. We can easily create
a friendly greeting by using food and being sure that every time
a person comes to the door and the dog starts "working"
that we first say the dogs name, physically get between the dog
and the door. Tell to dog to sit and "I've got it."
And then answer the door by going outside saying hi with the dog
and asking the person to ask the dog to sit and show the dog that
people coming to the front door just might have something to offer
and aren't so bad.
The dog must always be on a leash and under your control. First
and foremost if you do not have control you must return to obedience
class and regain that control or you're in for some trouble
Barking at an object or person outside
during a walk
Go over to it. Let your dog sniff and check it out. Tell your
dog QUIET as you walk slowly towards the object and show that
it is not so bad. As soon as your dog is quiet reward it. Even
if it just for a second, use words instead of patting just in
case your dog starts barking again as you pat him. Ask the person
if you can come say hi and be sure to tell them not to stare.
(By the way it is impolite to stare at any dog you do not know.)
Barking when you are not home
If your dog barks at home when alone leave a radio or TV on. Silence
can be a scary thing. A little soothing background noise will
drown out noises from the outside and creeks and squeaks within
the house.
Leave quietly without the long good-bye. If you make a big deal
of leaving so will s/he. The first 20 minutes is the worst for
them so sneak out while your dog is busy or falling a sleep recovering
from your morning walk.
Have a special toy. Buy a new toy and sleep with it or stick
it in the dirty laundry. Use this toy as a special security blanket
for while you're gone. Don't get frustrated if you have to replace
it often. You want your dog to work out its loneliness and frustration
on the toy not the garbage or your stuff. Toys are for tearing
up, let your dog do it, that means it is working !
Set him up
If you have tried everything but none of it works you may have
to "set your dog up". This can take time but in the
end it is worth it.
On the weekend or when you don't have to work. Imitate your daily
departure routine. Do the usual, put on make-up, search about
for keys, gloves, etc., pack a gym bag or throw out the garbage.
Make the dog think that this is just like any other daily departure.
Leave for 1 - 2 minutes. If you normally lock the door with a
key, make the right noises, but don't lock it. You must be able
to enter quickly if the stops barking. If you wait for an elevator,
ring for it and get in. Go one floor down and come back up.
If the dog has not barked, return and PRAISE, PRAISE; PRAISE
your dog for a "good quiet." If you hear barking, wait
for it to stop. As soon as it stops count to 10 and go in. Reward
your dog for "GOOD QUIET" Behavior! Then turn and leave
again. Try again
The goal is to get your dog to realize what behavior you want.
Praise, reward and affection are what the dog wants, so use those
to modify the behavior. Ignore the bad stuff and focus on the
good stuff. Remember you are praising good behavior with positive
reinforcement. Punishment for barking (a normal behavior) is confusing.
For the dog that believes that negative attention from you is
better than no attention at all, you will have to intensify your
response.
Remember that barking problems are rarely solved in a day. You
should understand that your dog was not born an "over-barker."
Natural behavior in dogs indicates that they generally do not
draw attention to themselves when alone or scared. Chances are
they learned to bark incessantly as a response to the environment
in which they live. Take time to understand how dogs are naturally
and learn how to acclimate them to our way of living. It takes
time and is best done if you begin at the puppy stages. For more
help with an over-barking problem or other behavior problem please
call us at 603-772-2921 Ext. 112
If people are complaining then let them know that you are not
ignoring their complaints and that you understand their discomfort,
and are taking steps to correct the problem. Quite often, they
will cut you a little slack if they know that their complaints
have not fallen upon deaf ears.
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