Bark! Bark!! BARK!!!
The dog barked the neighbor boy right off of his bicycle last week, and they complained. Other people have complained about his barking, and it's getting hard to sleep through the night without getting woken at least once by his barking fits. GRRR! WOOF!!
Can anything be done?
Your dog barks too much. Luckily, it's possible to solve this problem. All dogs will bark from time to time, but there are only a handful of reasons that a dog will bark excessively. To correct this, it's important to be aware of what is causing the barking. There are 3 or 4 reasons that dogs bark too much.
BOREDOM
Your dog may bark because he isn't getting enough mental or physical stimulation. Just like a little kid acting out, your dog may bark because he's bored. Make sure that he's getting the exercise and attention that he needs. Don't give him attention when he barks for this reason. A direct reaction to this type of barking, even a negative reaction, will encourage your dog to behave in the same way later.
BREED
Your dog may be bred to bark a lot. Many herding dogs and hounds have this trait because of the job that they were bred to do. If you have one of these breeds of dog, he may be barking because it's in his genes. However, you can still train him to bark only when it's appropriate.
SEPARATION
Dogs are pack animals. Your dog may bark too much when you leave him home alone because he's separated from his pack and doesn't know how else to find you again. This can be one of the most difficult excessive barking problems to address, but it can be done when you know what is causing the problem.
There is one major pitfall to avoid. When you arrive home and he's barking, don't give him positive or negative attention. If you do, he may think that it was his barking that caused you to come back. If he's barking when you get home, ignore him, no eye contact, and turn your back. As soon as he stops barking, pet him and praise him to show him that he can get attention by NOT barking.
STRANGERS
Your dog may bark when a stranger comes near the house. This could be anyone that your dog perceives to be a threat. It can be difficult to eliminate this behaviour if your dog is barking at the mailman or other delivery person because these people are guaranteed to reward the behavior. The mailman comes, the dog barks, the mailman leaves. It's not an impossible cycle to break, but it takes extra work.
These are just a few of the reasons that dogs may bark excessively. It is an annoying problem, but it's good to keep in mind that there are times when you'll want your dog to bark. Barking can be a healthy way for your dog to express himself. He just needs to know when it's appropriate, and when it's not.
4 Barking Reasons:
* Strangers (intruders into the pack)
* He's bored
* Bored
*Separation from pack (you)
Bark, Bark! Grrr!! GOOD BOY!!
The dog barked the neighbor boy right off of his bicycle last week, and they complained. Other people have complained about his barking, and it's getting hard to sleep through the night without getting woken at least once by his barking fits. GRRR! WOOF!!
Can anything be done?
Your dog barks too much. Luckily, it's possible to solve this problem. All dogs will bark from time to time, but there are only a handful of reasons that a dog will bark excessively. To correct this, it's important to be aware of what is causing the barking. There are 3 or 4 reasons that dogs bark too much.
BOREDOM
Your dog may bark because he isn't getting enough mental or physical stimulation. Just like a little kid acting out, your dog may bark because he's bored. Make sure that he's getting the exercise and attention that he needs. Don't give him attention when he barks for this reason. A direct reaction to this type of barking, even a negative reaction, will encourage your dog to behave in the same way later.
BREED
Your dog may be bred to bark a lot. Many herding dogs and hounds have this trait because of the job that they were bred to do. If you have one of these breeds of dog, he may be barking because it's in his genes. However, you can still train him to bark only when it's appropriate.
SEPARATION
Dogs are pack animals. Your dog may bark too much when you leave him home alone because he's separated from his pack and doesn't know how else to find you again. This can be one of the most difficult excessive barking problems to address, but it can be done when you know what is causing the problem.
There is one major pitfall to avoid. When you arrive home and he's barking, don't give him positive or negative attention. If you do, he may think that it was his barking that caused you to come back. If he's barking when you get home, ignore him, no eye contact, and turn your back. As soon as he stops barking, pet him and praise him to show him that he can get attention by NOT barking.
STRANGERS
Your dog may bark when a stranger comes near the house. This could be anyone that your dog perceives to be a threat. It can be difficult to eliminate this behaviour if your dog is barking at the mailman or other delivery person because these people are guaranteed to reward the behavior. The mailman comes, the dog barks, the mailman leaves. It's not an impossible cycle to break, but it takes extra work.
These are just a few of the reasons that dogs may bark excessively. It is an annoying problem, but it's good to keep in mind that there are times when you'll want your dog to bark. Barking can be a healthy way for your dog to express himself. He just needs to know when it's appropriate, and when it's not.
4 Barking Reasons:
* Strangers (intruders into the pack)
* He's bored
* Bored
*Separation from pack (you)
Bark, Bark! Grrr!! GOOD BOY!!
About the Author:
AVOID DISASTROUS Blunders with your dog. NOW REVEALED: 3 POWERFUL, humane, and loving ways to train your friend: 3 Dog Training Plans reviewed, Amazing results from 1 method! Or browse excellent, helpful FREE dog training articles. I'm Scott Erickson, and am an enthusiastic long term dog buff, instructor, and writer.
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