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Basic Bark Control Article
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How To Stop Incessant Barking
from: Kyle BesserWhat does it mean when a dog barks? Barking is the dog's way to communicate, and barking can mean many things. Your dog barks when he is alerting you to a possible intruder. Your dog barks when he is afraid. Your dog barks when he is feeling playful. Your dog barks when he is bored. Barking is a dog's reaction to the presence of stimuli such as strange people, other dogs, unfamiliar sights or sounds. Sometimes a bark is just an attention seeking mechanism.
The easiest way to control the dog behavior barking is to socialize your dog to make him comfortable around many people, places and things and to instill in him a strong chew toy habit so that he is mentally and physically exercised and occupied. However, just as you would not attempt to completely silence a person, you should not try to completely stop your dog from barking. Your dog just needs to learn some basic bark control such as when to bark and for how long.
Regardless of the reason for dog behavior barking, your goal is to properly socialize him, to teach him to focus on something other than barking at everything, and to teach him to speak and be quiet on command so you can control the dog behavior barking for when and for how long he barks.
Alarm Barking
Dogs who bark at the presence of intruders can be a valuable asset. It is ironic that barking dogs have become such a problem in our society when barking is also considered as an alarm. Actually, alarm barking is believed to be one of the main reasons humans domesticated dogs in the first place and one of the reasons many people live with dogs today. Usually, it's not the dog behavior barking that is a problem, but that the dog is a little too enthusiastic and continues barking.
Most people want their dogs to alert them when someone has stepped onto their property. Barking only becomes a problem dog behavior if the dog does not settle after barking the alert.
Teach your dog to bark and be quiet on cue. This way you have an off switch. To implement this dog behavior barking training, invite three friends to come over for a speak-and-shush party. Have your dog's favorite treat on hand. Instruct your visitors to knock on the door and reward your dog by saying "thank you" followed by a treat when he barks. Your dog may look a bit shocked for a moment if he is used to being yelled at when he barks.
Then, to get him to be quiet, say "shush" and waggle a piece of treat in front of his nose. As he sniffs the treat, he will be quiet and then give him the treat as a reward. Repeat this many times and your dog will become increasingly aware of how much fun it is to speak on request and how rewarding it is to shush on request.
The Yard Barker
Barking dogs are one of the most common complaints of urban and suburban neighbors. A dog that is left outside will alert to all within hearing distance many visual and auditory stimuli. Dogs are often relegated to the outside because they are not house trained or chew toy trained. If that is the case, you need to housetrain and chew toy train your dog and bring him into your home! Giving your dog a few well stuffed chew toys is the easiest and most effective solution to problem dog behavior barking and to stop incessant barking.
By giving your dog a few well stuffed chew toys, your dog has something to think about other than barking. A well stuffed chew toy will keep your dog busy for a while and distract him from barking. If you need to, put his food bowl away and only feed him from his chew toys to keep him very busy.
The Attention Seeking Barker
To break your dog's habit of barking for attention, try this method. Tie your dog to a secure spot in the house. Stand or sit next to your dog and ignore him. When he barks, move away. When he stops, even for just a moment, move closer. Your dog will soon realize that barking means you leave and quiet means you return. When he is quiet for 10 to 15 seconds, approach and praise him followed by a treat.
The Absent Owner Barker
Your dog may bark because he is bored and stressed when left at home alone, especially if left alone for long periods of time. Unfortunately, many dogs are often left alone for long periods of time because of busy work and school schedules. Dogs are social animals, so it is tough for dogs to understand why their family leaves them alone. You can teach your dog to better tolerate your absence.
First, teach your dog to spend time alone when you are home. Most dog owners make the mistake of spending all the time they are home with their dog at their side. While this may seem to be a kind and loving act, it only makes matters worse when your dog is left alone while you are at work or school. Your dog will become used to constant companionship and be more likely to be agitated when you leave.
Instead, teach your dog to enjoy quiet moments by himself while you are home so he will feel more confident when you are not there. Frequently and for short periods of time, confine your dog to another room, to his crate or on a tie. Give him a well stuffed chew toy to occupy the time. Your dog will be better able to handle the periods of time when you are away from home.
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