Barking

           Behavior Solutions: Barking

 Is your dog’s bark worse than its bite?  While you may appreciate the notification of visitors, you don’t necessarily need to be alerted to every pine needle, bike, mailman or leaf that passes through your lawn. Barking is a natural behavior in dogs but when excessive, it can quickly become an annoyance to you & your neighbors.

The Basis of Barking   Domestic dogs inherit barking from their wild ancestors. They may bark to call pack members (you, your family & possibly other pets) to alert others of their location, or to get attention when they are left alone. Dogs bark a warning when their territory has been invaded & try to make the intruder go away. Keep in mind that while you understand the boundaries your house & your yard, your dog may perceive its territory as being much larger& feel the need to ward off potential intruders – even if they’re half way down the block! Over stimulation by things in the environment, such as activity in neighboring yards or other animals can also trigger barking.

        Some breeds of dogs are more prone to barking behavior because of the jobs they have been bred to perform, though there are always exceptions. Some herding breeds, like Australian Shepherds & Shetland Sheepdogs, bark in order to herd their flock. The Kuvasz & Great Pyrenees also worked closely with herds but as guardians, keeping would be predators at bay with their bark. Terriers bark to tell their handlers of their location in underground tunnels when they find game or need to be dug out. Again, this working behavior is inherited by our nonworking pets. Look into the breeds that you are interested in to see if their needs & traits fit into your lifestyle.

To Bark or Not to Bark

Having a dog doesn’t mean forfeiting calm & peace. Through prevention & patience your home can remain a quiet haven for you & your best friend. You can start by exposing your puppy to a wide variety of people, situations & sounds in a calm, positive way. This will get your puppy used to the various things he will encounter in his environment & reduce alarm barking. Begin obedience training with your dog as soon as you bring him home to establish a clear line of communication, keep him active & mentally stimulated. Daily exercise will help burn off energy that might otherwise go into barking.

        When you are unable to supervise your dog, keep him a crate or puppy-proofed area in your home where you can control his surroundings. A lot of traffic or activity going on around him when he is left as an observer can induce frustration barking. Give your dog an interactive toy, like Kong or Star Mark Everlasting Treat Ball, or stuffed hollow bone so his energy goes into the toy rather than barking.

        Teaching your dog to bark & be quiet on command will clearly tell your dog when it is appropriate to vocalize. Teaching these commands is quick & easy. Have a friend stand on the other side of a door in your home – be sure they can hear you give the speak command. Tell your dog to speak & have your friend knock on the door to induce the dog to bark. When he does, immediately give him a tasty treat that may take a while to chew. While he is chewing, tell him quiet. Your dog cannot chew & bark at the same time. He will soon associate chewing on a yummy treat with the command quiet. Practicing this exercise several times a day & staying consistent will show your dog when it is acceptable to bark. Reward your dog regularly for being quiet in the house without being told.

        Barking is sometimes inadvertently reinforced by owners responding to it by yelling or by calling them into the house. Doing this shows your dog that barking is a means to get your attention & can encourage nuisance barking.