Dog and Cat Training

Dog Barking, and everything you need to know to solve this problem is contained in this article. Over time, and with consistency, this problem can become just a distant memory.

Dog Barking Facts

Problem Definition: All dogs bark, but barking that goes beyond the range of normal pet behavior is a problem.

Underlying Reasons: Barking is a dog’s natural means of communication and some breeds of dogs are genetically prone to bark more than others. Excessive barking, however, is usually a symptom of boredom, under-stimulation, aggression, or fear.

Why it is a Problem: Excessive barking infuriates those who have to listen to it constantly. A recent health insurance investigation cited excessive dog barking as the most stress inducing noise.

Consequences: Excessive dog barking will produce a variety of consequences for you and your dog. Aside from complaints and animosity from your neighbors, the sustained stress you experience can have negative effects on your health and on your happy relationship with your pet. The longer you let the problem go on, the harder it will be for your pet to get over.

The Cure: Sometimes, merely stopping the behavior will not solve this problem. If your dog can no longer communicate its problem by barking, it might find a new way to making its unhappiness known.

Dog Barking – How To Investigate

- Physical Surroundings: Excessive barking can sometimes be caused by inadequate shelter, improper confinement or too much activity taking place close to your house.

- Environmental Factors: Outdoor factors could contribute to your dog’s barking such as too much outside stimulation, or another dog in the yard next door.

Emotional Causes: Boredom or loneliness can cause your dog to hunt for additional stimulation by looking out the window at cars, birds and people.

Dog Barking – What to do

Practical Changes:
There are many practical changes you can easily make to help your dog stop barking. Try changing one thing at a time, so you can track which change worked.
For too much stimulation from outdoor factors like cars passing by, put up curtains so your pet can’t see out.
Take a close look at your dog’s shelter, crate, or area that you leave him in when you’re not home. Perhaps his outdoor shelter needs more shade or he needs more room in his crate.
Try leaving a radio on for company when you go out. And leave him with plenty of toys and lots of water.

Professional Advice: A qualified pet trainer will have excellent advice on how to re-train your dog not to bark. You can also join a training class.

Medical Advice: Your vet might have good advice too. There are some behavioral problems whose underlying causes are physical ailments, so it’s a good idea to ask.

Helpful Supplies: Your dog might respond to a few new dog toys to divert his attention. And, there are effective dog barking collars that release a high frequency sound pulse when your dog begins to bark. These collars are not harmful to your dog.

Dog Barking Tips

Break Bad Habits: Distract your pet when he starts barking.

Create Good Habits: Train your dog to play or sleep away from the door or window. Praise him lavishly when he is quiet.

Owner Training: Don’t reinforce this bad behavior by giving in to your dog’s barking. Talk to your dog and take him out of his shelter, room or crate only when he becomes quiet.

Owner Investment: This bad behavior requires an investment of time and effort to fix. The longer your dog has had the habit, the longer it takes to break. You can shorten the time by being 100% consistent.