Understanding why your dog is barking is key to training your dog to stop barking. Your dog communicates through barking and you will develop an understanding of your dogs barking over time. Sometimes you will want your dog to bark, when something is amiss or your dog needs to go to the toilet, for example. Remember, barking can be good thing!. Neighbours with barking dogs are annoying and it is up to you to train your dog about barking behaviour. You are in control and your dog will look to you for instruction about when to and when not to bark.
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Perhaps your dog is bored or lonely?
The most common cause of unwanted barking is a dog who feel lonely or anxious. Perhaps your dog spends every day, all day alone while you are at work? To accomodate being left alone so long you will need to make sure your dog is getting one to one and a half hours of exercise per day, depending on breed. Try and fit in a long walk before or after work. Look around for a hired dog walker, if this is too difficult. This attention will be welcomed by your dog. When you are out, try your dog with one of the many dog toys available on the market. Dogs love balls and perhaps you could even leave your dog a bone to chew on. .
Barking is commonly attributed to dogs who spend too much time alone. . It is important that you spend a lot of time playing with your dog and showing it affection. Dogs thrive on this. Include your dog in family activities when you are at home. Loved dogs are content dogs. A dog that has its other needs met is also less likely to display other inappropriate behaviors and you won’t need to Stop Your Dog Digging.
Is your dog feeling playful?
If your dog is barking so that you will play with it, do not give in to this demand. If you do give in you will reinfoce this bad habit. Mutual respect is key to your relationship with your dog and harassing you in this way demonstrates lack of respect. Ignore this type of behavior if you want your dog to stop demanding your attention in this way. To effectively do this is by turning your back towards your dog; getting up, moving away and not responding at all. Your dog is not used to this and will be confused to begin with. Barking has worked before so if it keeps going for longer, it might work again. Don’t do it! Be strong. Don’t be suprised if the baking gets worse before it gets better. Praise is the key and when your dog realises barking isn’t working, praise it. Your dogs wants to please you so you’ll need to use positive reinforcement. It won’t take long for your dog to re learn this behaviour, if you are consistent.
Effective dog training requires consistency. Pack animals such as dogs are most at ease and well behaved when they understand the pecking order. If you want your dog to be happy, well adjusted and well behaved it will have to respect your leadership. A good dog is not necessarily a quiet dog. If your directions are clear your dog will learn when it is and is not appropriate to bark.
To discover more about training for your barking dog take a look at Quiet Your Barking Dog.
Posted under Dog Puppy Training
This post was written by Noel DCosta on July 26, 2009
