| Barking |  |
A dog that barks to alert us is usually encouraged, but one that barks and barks can be problem for the owner and neighbours. Barking can be caused for many reasons, and it is very important to establish why your dog is behaving in this way. Dogs that bark excessively are often stressed by something, so shouting at, or hitting your dog will only make the problem worse.
- Some dogs bark with excitement, when they are getting ready to go out, or when in the car.
- Others bark in warning to guard their territory, or owner.
- Some may bark out of boredom, loneliness, or frustration, if they are left at home all day, with nothing else to do.
- Others bark at any moving object, or person.
- Barking can also be a sign of fear.
Barking can be a complex problem, and a difficult behaviour to bring under control. For excessive barking problems I would always recommend seeking advice from a qualified behaviourist. They will analyse the problem fully, and design a behaviour modification programme that suits your dog's individual needs.
For general barking here are some exercises that you can try.
One effective way to control barking is to bring it under control, by teaching your dog to bark on cue, and to stop on cue.
- Teach the dog to bark by being very excited and encouraging the dog to "speak"
- When he is barking praise him and say "speak, speak" in an excited tone
- The moment he stops, give the cue "quiet" and reward him with a treat and plenty of praise
- Try to avoid saying "quiet" when he is actually barking or he will get the wrong message
After a few attempts your dog should respond to your request for barking and the cue to stop.
Sometimes a practical measure is needed. If your dog barks because he sees people going by the house or garden, you may need to make sure he cannot get access to windows, or cover over a glass door so that he cannot see out.
Dogs that bark at people need to learn that people are not frightening or threatening
- You should socialise your dog, by making sure that all contact with people is rewarding to him
- You might want to set up some of your friends to meet out on quiet walks, or in the house
- Make sure they are supplied with treats
- Allow your friend to approach and stop at a safe distance
- If the dog starts to bark, completely ignore him
- Do not shout or haul on the lead, just let him continue until he decides this is not achieving anything, and he will eventually stop
- As soon as he stops barking and settles, you can praise him, and the friend should gently throw a treat to him
You will need to repeat this exercise on several occasions, over a period of time. The more people he meets, the more confident he should become.
You can also use the Gentle Leader head collar to help interrupt barking at people out on walks. By putting gentle pressure on the lead this will bring the dogs head towards you and break contact with the thing he finds stressful. This can often have the effect of stopping the dog barking.
For very difficult cases, I have found the Dog Training Discs, designed by John Fisher, to be very effective. The discs make a unique sound that you can use to indicate to the dog that this is unacceptable behaviour. It is an effective way of using a firm "No" command. They come with full instructions on how to introduce your dog to this training method, and how they can be used for other behavioural problems.
A lot of dogs will bark when left at home all day. Unfortunately this can cause friction between neighbours. Dogs are sociable creatures, and many are not happy to be left on their own. If you have to do this, you should make sure the dog has something to keep him interested. A cube or ball filled with kibble can be rewarding to roll around and get the goodies out. Another option is to stuff a Kong toy full of food, like peanut butter, or tinned dog food. I often fill my dog's Gentle Leader with dried dog food. I then hang it somewhere for the dog to hit with her nose, so that it bounces and bits of food are released. This can keep the dog amused for quite a while. One of my colleagues wraps a piece of liver or chicken in an old rag and ties it up in knots. Her Jack Russell terrier has to rip and tear the rag to get to the food. It keeps him going for ages, using up his energy and satisfying his predatory instincts.
Employing a dog walker is a great way to alleviate the dog's loneliness and breaks a long day up for him.
Barking in the car
Barking in the car can be very distracting for the driver. Dogs often bark in the car because they are so excited. Car rides usually mean very pleasant walks at the end of the journey. So the way to stop this is to take him for some boring runs in the car. Drive round the block, or to the shops and back and just take him home. This should make him realise that not all car journeys are fun.
If he is barking because of traffic going by or he sees other dogs or people on the pavement then this is where a crate is useful. Cover it with a towel or sheet so that he cannot see through the windows. Try to avoid shouting "quiet" when you are driving as this will only excite your dog further and encourage more barking.
The Husher is a useful training aid to help with this problem. This is an elasticated type of muzzle that is an effective solution for reducing barking, chewing and biting. It works by tiring the dogs jaw muscles, thus stopping him barking. For difficult cases this can bring relief to drivers from the distractions of a barking dog.
If you are still having difficulties, you may need expert help from a behaviourist, who can provide you with more detailed advice and guidance.
