How to Stop Your Dog from Barking?
Dogs bark from time to time. That is
perfectly normal and natural since barking is a method
of expressing themselves. Their barking can be similar
to children making noise when they play outside. It
can also be a warning or greeting when someone comes
to the door or something is wrong. But, if your dog
barks continually or for long periods of time, there
must be a specific cause or reason.
If, every time you put your dog out,
he starts barking and won’t stop, be prepared
to hear complaints from your neighbors. If your dog
barks the whole time you are away from home, you will
certainly hear from your neighbors. Excessive barking
can even result in complaints to the police . . . and
citations and fines for you.
Learn what triggers your dog’s
barking and how to control the barking by Subscribing
to Our FREE Dog Training
Mini Course. Understanding the causes will help
you change the circumstances.
Dogs are generally intelligent and
understand what you want them to do if you are consistent
in training. Many dogs are quick learners who only need
to be told once or twice while others are more stubborn
or less quick to understand. However, their behavior
towards outsiders varies according to their breed, their
lineage within that breed, and their socialization.
Many dogs are naturally friendly and
outgoing and may only bark at newcomers as a way of
greeting and asking for attention. Others are more shy
and aloof and will bark because they are afraid. Some
dogs are very possessive of their homes and owners or
are wary of strangers or are of a breed that guards
their owners so they will bark as a means of warning
before they become aggressive.
No matter which type of dog you have,
early socialization and training will make a huge difference
in his approach to strangers. Subscribe
to our Free Dog Training Mini Course to learn how
to ensure that his barking is not ferocious, excessive
or overly loud.
Normal Sounds Dogs Make to Communicate
. . .
Dogs use their voices in a variety
of ways to communicate. As puppies, they make grunting
noises to communicate with littermates and mother. High-pitched
crying signals that they are frustrated, afraid, or
hurting. Soft whining or whimpering is their way of
saying they are hungry or cold. Puppies use continual
yelping or high-pitched barking to get your attention
at such times as when they are shut in a crate and want
out. A single yelp or bark is normal if they get stepped
on, stung by a bee, or startled.
As your dog gets older, he will use other forms
of vocal communication:
Whining is useful in getting an owner’s
attention. It is also used to show submissiveness
to other dogs.
Whimpering is not often used by adult dogs unless
they are abused, cold, hurt, or very frustrated
or afraid.
Howling or baying is used by some breeds to communicate
over long distances. Dogs that are used in hunting
often bay to signal each other that they are following
the scent of the prey. When not hunting, these
same dogs will respond to sirens or certain music
by howling or baying.
Growling is often associated with aggression,
dominance, and possessiveness. Defense and warning
are the correct meanings of the growling if the
dog shows a stationary posture, does not wag his
tail, and curls his lip. However, growling can
mean the dog wants to play if it is accompanied
by tail wagging, lots of movement, and even the
bringing of a toy.
Barking is normal if the dog is a watch dog. This
is his way of telling his owner that something
is different. The bark may sound different depending
upon how the dog interprets the “different-ness”
– if someone he knows and likes is coming,
he may have a happy bark whereas if someone he
doesn’t know or doesn’t like is coming,
he may have a warning bark.
Barking is also used to get attention or show
excitement or signify loneliness. |
Does Your Dog Bark Too Much?
Some barking is tolerable as it is
expected of any dog. However, excessive barking causes
problems. Continual barking or barking for periods of
time throughout the day and night disturbs both the
owner and his neighbors. After a while it becomes stressful
as well as annoying.
Excessive barking is most often caused
by nervousness, separation anxiety, fear or distress.
As the dog becomes more upset, lonely or anxious, his
barking becomes more insistent and louder. Putting your
dog outside alone, putting him in his kennel/cage, or
leaving him home alone may make him feel he is being
abandoned. He is afraid you will never return. This
triggers his barking.
Subscribe
to our Free Dog Training Mini Course to better understanding
what triggers your dog’s barking and how to keep
your dog calmer in those situations.
Are You Guilty of Providing a Boring
Environment for Your Dog?
Young dogs use their extra energy
to play hard and often. They love excitement and activity.
A boring environment that offers no stimulation often
creates a bored barker who uses barking as a means of
releasing excess energy.
If your dog is left alone for long
periods of time, he is likely to resort to barking whenever
(and for however long) he is left alone. This becomes
such a habit that he will begin barking the minute you
walk away and not stop until he hears your footsteps
returning.
If nobody is home during the day,
your dog will be anxious to get attention. He will bark
any time he thinks anyone is closeby and he will become
quite insistent and loud. Barking in these situations
becomes a hobby.
Giving your dog activities that occupy
his mind and body will help him use his energy and his
problem solving skills. This will create a dog who is
content to lie quietly or sleep when he has to be alone.
Dogs enjoy hide and seek, fetch, and
other activities. However, the excitement of playing
games may bring on bouts of “excited barking.”
Follow the step-by-step instructions
from our Mini Course to understand and control excessive
dog barking.
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How Can You Keep Your Dog’s
Barking Under Control?
Here are 10 Tips for Controlling Your
Dog’s Barking from the course:
Start socializing and training your dog as soon
as you get him. Younger dogs are easier to train
than older dogs.
Teach your dog to bark on command. Use the word
‘speak’ or ‘talk” whenever
he barks. He will soon learn to associate that
word with barking and will have a time he is permitted
to bark.
Train your dog to follow commands like ‘stop’
or ‘quiet.’ Whenever your dog barks
out of control, use ‘stop’ or ‘quiet’
in a firm voice.
When your dog quits barking when he is told ‘stop’
or ‘quiet’, give him a small treat
as a reward. This can be used whether he is in
the yard, in a cage, looking out a window, or
running to the door.
If you cannot get your dog’s attention to
tell him to stop barking, try making a loud, sudden
noise by slamming a book on a table or shaking
a can of rocks or marbles.
Train your dog to stay home alone without barking.
Try leaving him for a few minutes at a time. Do
not go out of earshot the first few times. If
he barks, go back and tell him ‘stop’
or ‘quiet.’ If he stays quiet, praise
him when you return. Gradually lengthen the amount
of time you are gone. Then lengthen the distance
you go.
Try leaving the TV or radio on when you are away
from home. This will give your dog the idea that
someone is there.
Get your dog plenty of exercise – play games
with him and take him for walks. New smells and
sights and plenty of running and jumping will
keep him from being bored. If you play with him
and walk him at specific times each day, he will
look forward to those times which will make him
more compliant at other times.
If looking out a window or door stimulates him
to bark, cover the window or door or limit his
access.
Teach your dog new things. Obedience training
in a group setting helps your dog to learn to
concentrate on what you are saying and obey you.
Agility training is fun and tiring for many dogs.
Learning tricks is a great way for your dog to
show off and get attention. |
Remember: You do not want
to eliminate barking completely as that is the main
way your dog has of communicating with you and with
other dogs. Learn to use positive training methods through
the membership site to learn to control your dog’s
barking.
Subscribe
to our Free Dog Training Mini Course to learn more
on Dog barking.
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