Have You Got a Problem With Dogs Barking.

Dog barking problem. This is a term used to describe what is fast becoming a
very big problem indeed. There are many theories how to help your dog’s behaviour.
As we disscussed in a previous post excersise can play a part in reducing dog
sounds whether they be dogs barking or dog whining.

A dog may bark because he / she is feeling a number of different emotions. To
list a few these could be:-
bordom.
Fear.
Frustration.
There could of course be many more, but these will do for a start, for us to disscuss.

Boredom.
A good indication your dog is bored is that you don’t come back to the same house in
the evening that you left in the morning. A wrecked house can be a clear signal that
you have a bored pet.A bored dog is likely to be a destructive, dog–chewing up wooded
articles kitchen stools, even door posts can be a target. Carpets are also a target if
they are not fitted. However tearing up rugs can be easy and fun if you are a bored four
legged friend. You might think she’s doing these things to punish you, in fact,
this is never the case. Dogs simply become extremely frustrated without physical or
mental stimulation–a bored dog is frequently an under-exercised dog. Another clue to
your dog being bored could be: When you walk in the door, she paws at you incessantly
and follows your every step so closely it appears she’s literally starved
for attention.
Fear.
For a fearful barker; “Desensitization”–This is the process of removing anxiety around a
negative stimulus,– this can be a very effective treatment. As with any procedure aimed
at alleviating a dog’s stress, enlisting the help of a reputable trainer is an excellent
choice. In the meantime, here’s an idea of how it works:

Let’s say your dog barks at men with beards. Begin by asking a bearded friend to stand a
good distance away from you and your dog (far enough that your dog can see the man, but
still remain calm and comfortable) while you reward your dog for not barking. Very
gradually, move closer to the bearded man; give your dog treats when he remains quiet.

Eventually, you’ll reach a point where your dog can happily trot past a bearded stranger
without any stress response at all. This takes weeks, however, so don’t expect complete
resolution in a single afternoon. Again, professional guidance is key with this type of
treatment.

When the source of the barking is a rare or one-time occurrence and doesn’t require
desensitization (for example, he spots a hot air balloon overhead), resist the urge to
comfort your dog. This will only reinforce the idea that whatever he’s barking at is truly
scary and worthy of your attention. Instead, redirect him–lure him away from the window with
a tasty treat. Once you have his attention, tell your dog to sit or lie down, and reward him
for responding.

Frustration
For dogs who bark when frustrated, eliminate the stimulus whenever possible. If the
bark-provoking neighbour always goes out starts his mower between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.,
this might be a good time to take your dog for a walk. Or if your dog is aroused by squirrels
racing through your yard, consider putting up a scarecrow to frighten away small animals.

Obedience classes and at-home training can also help curb barking by teaching impulse control. The more your dog is asked to perform a particular behaviour before getting what he wants–to sit before receiving a treat, for example–the better he’ll be able to control himself.

Look out for the next post in a few days where we
will discuss more ways to help your dogs behaviour.