Understanding and Curbing Dog Barking

Many dog owners wished their barking dog would always be silent, unless of course there is a prowler outside your home. We think “a good dog is a quiet dog,” but dog barking is their voice in attempts to communicate. Dog barking is not necessarily a bad habit if he’s trying to engage me in some fashion.

Dogs bark for many reasons depending on the breed:

• Some dogs were bred to bark when a threat is imminent (particularly Rottweilers, Dobermans & German Shepherds)
  
• Some dogs were bred to assist in sport (Beagles, Bloodhounds, some Terriers)
• Some dogs just like to hear themselves bark (many of the toy canine breeds)

There are times a dog will bark regardless, including loneliness, hunger, thirst, and boredom. She sees an animal, she wants a toy, she needs to go potty….it’s not realistic to limit her barking for these natural reasons. There are other times when dog barking is unwarranted and annoying such as a means of manipulation. We’ve all been victims of canine manipulation, forcing us off the couch to cease the incessant barking and to play fetch or give him a treat. It is that respect and love we show our dogs that is essential to our relationship with them (feeding them tasty food, playing with them and loving them, taking them to dog racing events).

It is hard for many kind-hearted owners to come to terms with the fact that dog ownership is not about equality; it is about you being in charge and that you need to be respected by your dog.  Dogs aren’t children, and they are best behaved when they know you are in charge as almost a “pack leader.” This is why when manipulation sets in; you need to put your foot down. We’re not talking about actually ignoring her and continuing whatever you were doing, but when there’s dog barking without good reason, it needs to be conveyed through your body language she is not worthy of your attention when she behaves in such a manner. When she starts to “bark you” into doing something, complete the following steps:

• Turn your back on her right away
• Get up, avert your eyes and face, turning so your back is towards her
• Don’t look at her or talk to her, not even a scolding “no”
• She will likely be confused and bark harder, particularly if you have given into her bully-barking in the past. The more consistency you demonstrate in your dog training, the better behaved she will be.

If you want to convey the message for her to stop barking altogether, there is a perfectly humane, impact-free, and pain-free method to use to gain your peace and quiet. Just follow the following steps:

• Let endure the dog barking for a moment to get it out of her system (it’s more effective to give her a brief chance to express herself before asking her to be quiet).
• If she doesn’t calm down on her own, reach out and clasp her muzzle gently but firmly.
• She will try to shake you off, so place your other hand on her collar to gain greater control.

This method is effective as it silences your dog while at the same time reinforces your authority, showing her through physical actions you are a loving but firm leader who won’t take any nonsense. Hold on to the muzzle until she calms down…only after she’s calmed down has she accepted your authority. After being still for 1-2 seconds, give her praise and love for listening and obeying.

Most dogs function with 1.5 hours of exercise per day, which is a large time commitment from you. This varies from dog to dog, but if the dog barking seems to be coupled with boredom, inactivity, or destructive behavior, perhaps the simple solution of exercising her more will make a big difference!

By their nature, dogs are social animals and need lots of attention, interaction, and communication, otherwise they become anxious and on edge. If you’re interested in learning more about mastering unwanted dog behavior, then consider taking a look at the Secrets to Dog Training Manual. It is a complete guide for the responsible dog owner, dealing with recognizing, preventing, and dealing with nearly every dog behavior issue including dog barking. CLICK HERE for more information.