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 something be done?
You can learn how to deal with your dog's excessive barking. It's possible to correct and deal with this behavior. There are many reasons that dogs bark, and all dogs will bark from time to time. You wouldn't want to stop your dog from barking when it's appropriate. It's important to be aware of the possible causes of excessive barking so that you can correct it properly. There are 3 or 4 reasons that dogs will 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 from you. Don't give him attention when he barks for this reason, though. A direct reaction to this type of barking, even a negative reaction, will only encourage your dog to behave in the same way again.
TYPE OF 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
Since they're pack animals, a dog's instinct is to stay with the pack. If your dog is barking too much, it could be because he's separated from his pack, (you) and doesn't know how to find you again.
The main pitfall you have to be sure to avoid in this type of situation is unconsciously rewarding your dog's barking every time you come home. If your dog is barking while you're gone, and then you come home and immediately give him attention, he will think that it was his barking that caused you to return. In order to break this cycle, you have to ignore your dog if he is barking when you first come home. Once he settles you can initiate contact and give him the attention that he wants.
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.
Boredom, certain breeds, separation from the pack, and strangers are reasons that dogs bark excessively. It's 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)
* Certain breeds
* Separation from the pack (you)
*Separation from pack (you)
Bark, Bark! Grrr!! GOOD BOY!! - 31866
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 something be done?
You can learn how to deal with your dog's excessive barking. It's possible to correct and deal with this behavior. There are many reasons that dogs bark, and all dogs will bark from time to time. You wouldn't want to stop your dog from barking when it's appropriate. It's important to be aware of the possible causes of excessive barking so that you can correct it properly. There are 3 or 4 reasons that dogs will 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 from you. Don't give him attention when he barks for this reason, though. A direct reaction to this type of barking, even a negative reaction, will only encourage your dog to behave in the same way again.
TYPE OF 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
Since they're pack animals, a dog's instinct is to stay with the pack. If your dog is barking too much, it could be because he's separated from his pack, (you) and doesn't know how to find you again.
The main pitfall you have to be sure to avoid in this type of situation is unconsciously rewarding your dog's barking every time you come home. If your dog is barking while you're gone, and then you come home and immediately give him attention, he will think that it was his barking that caused you to return. In order to break this cycle, you have to ignore your dog if he is barking when you first come home. Once he settles you can initiate contact and give him the attention that he wants.
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.
Boredom, certain breeds, separation from the pack, and strangers are reasons that dogs bark excessively. It's 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)
* Certain breeds
* Separation from the pack (you)
*Separation from pack (you)
Bark, Bark! Grrr!! GOOD BOY!! - 31866
About the Author:
AVOID DISASTROUS Blunders with your pooch. 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 pooch training articles. I'm Scott Erickson, and am an exuberant long term pooch fan, instructor, and writer.
