Barking Dogs Can Really Annoy Your Neighbors
December 31st, 2008
My neighbors have two large dogs that are very friendly and the way they show this friendliness is to bark, it is their way of say hello. The problem is that another neighbor does not want the dogs to say “hi” so they have reported these sweet dogs to the authorities as being overly barky. My poor neighbor has been so distraught about this. She said when the dogs bark all she can think is, “stop barking dog, stop barking dog!” If you have ever been in this position you know that you have to find a way to stop your dog from barking.
Just like my neighbor’s dogs, barking is a form of communication. Your job is to find out what your dog is communicating and how to respond to this communication to stop their barking. As a dog owner, there are times when you want your dog to bark. For example, if there is something amiss in the house, a stranger approaching, smoke from a pot on the stove, etc. But when barking is excessive, it becomes a problem.
To successfully train your dog to appropriate barking behavior you need to let your dog know you are pleased with him when he stays quiet. One of the biggest challenges is not sending mixed signals. For example, if you praise your dog for staying quiet immediately after he stops barking, he may not understand what he is being praised for. Hold your praise until the dog remains quiet for long periods of time.
If you have responded to your dog’s every demand every time he barked a then you are spoiling your dog. To combat this, pay no attention to your dog when he bards unless you know it is for a very legitimate reason. If you have not been spoiling your dog, but maybe ignoring him, then you need to pay some attention to him. Dogs who bark excessively when outside may have separation anxiety or they may be overstimulated. Bring your dog inside and see if that stops the problem. If not, try giving them some attention, without spoiling them.
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