Barking Dog Problems, Anyone?

I see barking for dogs as talking for humans, so why would you want to stop barking dogs. They and we all need to express ourselves. Whether your dog is the most posh Poodle or the poorest Pavement special that nobody wanted, they all bark. As far as I know there is only one breed that does not bark and that's the Basenji. Dogs bark for any number of reasons and believe you me we will not understand all of them. A dog's logic is quite different to ours. Before your dog drives you barking mad, let's try and understand the reasons for your barking dog problems and what can possibly be done to stop barking dogs.
Barking Dog Problems-Stop barking dogs
As I said who knows what goes in the furry brains of our dogs. Basically we can attempt to understand barking dog problems by observing our dogs to determine the reasons which have triggered the barking. There is a huge list of barking triggers or reasons, some of which I have indicated below. I have also included some fixes or ideas to resolve the various types of barking dog problems as well. I suppose there are many people that will go to great lengths to stop barking dogs, so I have outlined some advice and provided some great links to assist with all barking dog problems.
Nervous barking dog problems:
Why does the dog do it? This is a major problem for many dog owners, how to stop barking dogs? Problem is, too many owners never get to see the real deal, because as the name implies, you've left the building and your dog is nervous. So this is what happens while you are out. As the dog becomes more anxious you will often find that the pitch of the barking becomes higher as well. Sometimes the dog will even start howling. Understandably, you neighbor is going to get mental and you will end up having a bad relationship with your neighbor and possibly face fines as well. If your dog is very attached to you and follows you like his tail follows him, then your departure will most probably lead to this type of behavior. You've separated yourself from the dog so the dog becomes anxious.
How to stop barking dogs! Dog's are smart, if you have a set routine when leaving, they will pick this up and start getting anxious the moment you pick up keys, or put on your shoes etc. You need to get to a point where your dog does not suspect you are leaving soon. Also, you need to train your dog to be ok with you being gone for different periods of time. So disrupt your routine when leaving, don't follow the same sequence whenever you leave your house. Also try leaving for a few minutes and come back again, so that the dog becomes comfortable with you not being around and has not started getting nervous or anxious yet. Don't give your dog to much attention or affection prior to leaving. The main point is that you need to break routine and keep your dog oblivious of your comings and goings. Effectively, what you dog does not know will not hurt him, or in this case, make the dog anxious. If you really cannot bear to see your dogs being anxious or afraid, there are options such as doggy day care or pet companions or sitters. There are already too many abandoned dogs at the pound due the inability of owners to get barking dog problems under control.
Territorial Barking dog problems:
Why does the dog do it? These type of barking dog problems occur when the dog feels his territory is under threat. Yes, can you believe it dogs are territorial, who knew. If your dog can see strangers or other dogs through the perimeter fence on your property, guess what, he is going to think they are invaders and will bark to indicate that this is his territory. Often this barking is accompanied with growling sounds as well. The dog is just trying to let any likely intruder know that he means business. To some degree these barking dog problems are desirable, wouldn't you agree. It's another issue though when you're out walking the dog and he won't let up with this territorial barking.
How to stop barking dogs! Well as mentioned earlier, a little territorial barking may well be a good thing. Sometimes it is not such a good idea to stop barking dogs altogether. However, if you'd like to regain your position as the Alpha Dog, then you need to assert your authority on the dog. When you dog commences territorial barking, try and distract him by spraying water in his mouth or face and issue a short forceful command such as STOP NOW or similar. If he goes quiet then be sure to praise him to let him know that he is doing the right thing. As with all training of dogs, repetition is the key so as always, you'll need to persevere and be patient.
Attention Seeking Barking dog problems:
Why does the dog do it? Well I think this is pretty much, self explanatory. The dog wants attention and will bark until he gets it. This barking also occurs when the dog is bored. If human contact is very limited or the dog has nothing to keep him occupied, especially younger dogs, then expect to see this type of attention seeking barking. Usually it's quite an irritating yap yap sound which can drag on and on. To stop barking dogs here, is certainly a highly desired goal.
How to stop barking dogs! For starters, you should try spending more time with your dog; it's generally good for the soul. Also try to ensure that your dog isn't locked in an area all day which is devoid of any dog entertainment. By this, I mean, make provision for some chew toys or similar with which the dog can entertain himself when he is alone. If you cannot be there for your dog all the time, consider getting him a sidekick or playmate. Who knows, there are so many unwanted dogs out there that need good homes. All they want is love and attention, a small price to pay for their loyalty and commitment and will certainly go a long way to stop barking dogs.
Fearful Barking dog problems:
Why does the dog do it? I'm sure we have all seen this type of barking in our dogs at one time or another. If ever you have let of fireworks or there has been a loud thunderstorm, you may have seen your dog displaying fearful barking. This type of barking is very sharp and short and you can see in the dog's posture that he is afraid. Usually the dogs tail will be down low or even between his hind legs and his ears will be flattened on his head. These are sure indicators that your dog is afraid. Kind of difficult to blame dogs for these type of barking dog problems.
How to stop barking dogs! Well for starters, don't let fireworks off anywhere near your dog. Another idea is too train your dog to become familiar with loud sharp sounds such as thunder, loud noises etc. This can be achieved by playing back recordings of similar sounds to your dog, firstly at a low volume and gradually increasing the volume, until your dog becomes familiar with these sounds. It won't hurt to comfort the dog when they are fearful like this and that may well help to calm or even stop barking dogs. I'm sure we could all do with some re-assurance when we're afraid.
Barking dog problems -why stop barking dogs?
There are many more descriptions for a huge variety of dog barking, such as Frustration Barking, Greeting Barking, Compulsive Barking too name but a few. Generally you need to try and observe what brought on the barking and also observer your dog's posture when the barking is occurring. It stands to reason that if you have the trigger "cause" then you can most probably use a bit of common sense to stop barking dogs. There are also many products available to purchase which may resolve your barking dogs problems. Some of these products like the shock collar don't sit well with me, but each, to his, own. Imagine being shocked every time your voice went above a certain decibel rating.
Ultimately dogs were born with a voice and it's known as barking. Fair enough, some types of barking we would want to control or limit. As with people, some are just more barkative than others. Certainly if your dog's barking is going to land you in court with frustrated neighbors or at the mercy of the local authorities, then something will need to be done to stop the barking dog. In most cases the barking dog problems can be resolved by you educating yourself to train your dog. At the end of the day the, why stop barking dogs? Sometimes you may want your dog to bark especially if he is alerting you to something. Good luck and feel free to check out the links on the right to see some really comprehensive guides relating to this rather contentious issue.







Hi, my names Derek and I am a Dog Lover and Enthusiast. I am not an expert and do not have any degree or fancy diploma. I do not know everything but I know quite a lot of things. I've had over a lifetime of experience with dogs and I am learning new things about them each day. I hope that this does not come to an end. Life would be pretty boring if there was nothing new to discover. Why don't you join me in this quest for knowledge about "man's best friend" at my website http://www.besthappydog.com/ where I share my insights as well as many experts advice, you know, the one's with the degree's and diploma's.
I would also recommend subscribing to my newsletter and receiving this free book http://www.besthappydog.com/how-to-be-the-alpha-dog/, for some really great training advice and tips.
Hope to see you soon, thanks for reading my article.
Cheers for now.
Regards
Derek
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The Last Article You'll Ever Need to Read About Dog Barking - Causes and Cures

If you're a dog owner and have a "world class" barker in the house, you may already know the stress of shattered quiet or dealing with unhappy neighbors.

Dogs always bark for a reason. Studies have even shown that different barks express different emotions (though a few breeds, like the poodle and the American Staffordshire Terrier, appear limited in their vocal repertory). The more high-pitched, atonal and repetitive the bark, the more indicative it is of a dog under stress.

A recent study of 84 dogs from nine breeds, including Poodles, Weimaraners, American Staffordshire Terriers, German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, Bull Terriers and Muensterlaenders, recorded as many as a dozen variations of some types of barking among the dogs. Subtle variations even corresponded to "dialects" which were used by the dogs in identical situations at different times.

Although there is no difference in the percentage of excessive barkers between males and females, males tend to bark less once neutered because they're less territorial. There's also a breed difference in barkers; Many Beagles, Terriers, and some herding breeds tend to bark more - not surprising, since this is one of the characteristics for which they were bred.

Virtually all canine behavioral experts agree that the key to solving the problem of excessive barking is to understand what's causing it. To solve problem barking, you'll need some patience and understanding, but teaching your barker a couple of very basic obedience commands will help a lot, too.

Oddly enough, teaching your dog to bark on command is a good way to teach them also how to stop. By learning when barking is desirable, they also learn what your word is for when to stop.

What doesn't work:

- Shouting "No" louder than the dog only makes things worse since the dog perceives this as YOU barking, too. It's not a long term solution;

- Hugging or talking soothingly to the dog when barking is a "no no" because the dog comes to believe that there IS something of which to be concerned. Coddling simply reinforces barking.

- Striking the dog doesn't address the cause of your dog's barking. If your dog is barking out of anxiety, hitting her only adds betrayal to the list of what worries her since she looks to you for guidance, not pain.

- Throwing items AT the dog. This is a good way to ruin a show dog and also introduces another reason for the dog to bark. Throwing can-filled pennies is a method of distraction, but it needs to be done correctly. Keep reading.

- Crating or confining the dog to a small space for hours and hours. This alone can cause barking.

The leading causes of barking?

Territorial/Protective Behavior

Startled or Fear Barking

Attention-Seeking or boredom

Self-identification

Play/Excitement

Loneliness or Separation Anxiety

Let's explore the cause and remedies for barking a bit more fully.

Separation or Loneliness Anxiety: This is probably the leading cause of excessive barking; It can also be the most difficult to determine since it typically occurs when a dog's owner is gone. Unless the owner receives a complaint, they many never know they have a problem barker. Complicating the matter is trying to determine when barking IS excessive. Some neighbors have a hair trigger when it comes to barking and even a few normal "woofs" is enough to generate a complaint. Be suspicious of your dog if s/he displays behaviors that reflect a strong attachment to you, such as following you from room to room, greeting you frantically, or overreacting anxiously whenever you prepare to leave.

Anxiety barking becomes self-reinforcing as a dog becomes more stimulated and anxious. The more anxious the dog, the higher in pitch the bark. These barks are especially audible to neighbors.

Separation anxiety barking can be remedied with counter-conditioning, desensitization and teaching the dog how to relax. Commanding the dog to "lie down," for instance, is handy because reclining dogs don't bark as vigorously when lying down.

The best way to desensitize a dog to your leaving is to run frequent "drills." Start out by pretending to leave the house by changing your habits. Most of us have predictable patterns of behavior before leaving the house and this contributes to the dog becoming anxious. If, for example, the last thing you do before leaving the house is to pick up car keys, DON'T pick up the car keys last, put your shoes on last instead - and then don't leave. Go to the couch and read a book; Pick up the phone and pretend to talk. If you play music but only on weekends when you are home, turn it on during your workdays. As hard as it may be, set your alarm on weekends, get up, but stay home. Continue changes in routine until your dog pays no attention to your cues anymore. It is also very important to not give your dog a lot of attention when you leave.

Work your way up to actually leaving the dog for a very short time, say, a minute or two. Before the dog starts getting nervous and barking, come back into the house. You're not rewarding barking, you're rewarding relaxation and silence. Gradually extend the time you're gone, and return before the dog gets anxious. If your dog is anxious even if you leave the room, then you will need to start by just taking several steps away from her while she remains relaxed. You cannot go too slowly during this process - but you can go too fast.

If you suspect your dog is lonely, hire a pet sitter or dog walker, or look into a "doggie day care center or play group," increasingly attractive and practical options that's a "win win" for all involved. You can expect to pay up to $25 a day, but it's far cheaper than fines or constant complaints from the neighbors. To find a doggie day care center or "play group" for your dog, consult your veterinarian, local training facility or check out the phone book. High end pet shops also typically know who in the area offers pet sitting or play group options and often carrying their business cards.

Always remember that your dog is NOT punishing you, nor is he enjoying himself when he's barking because he's lonely or anxious. Think about how you feel when you're truly overwrought about something and you'll get an idea of how your dog feels. Be patient and understanding as you help your dog work through this - and keep communication open with disgruntled neighbors to show that you ARE working on the situation. Dog pounds are filled with confused and bewildered dogs who've been dumped there because their owners were either forced to give them up because of barking, or because they failed to work with the dog's problem.

Barking for Attention Seeking or boredom: Dogs of any age quickly learn that humans pay attention to their barking. It doesn't matter if we're furious with them or that we've just shouted "NO!" Negative attention is still attention and reinforces barking. Hard as it may be, it's best to ignore this type of barking which can be like a persistent yap that turns into a howl. Sometimes, the use of a remote correction is helpful in controlling this type of barking: Coins in an empty soda can be tossed away from the dog which will distract him from barking. Timing is important and at this point, give the dog a substitute for barking such as a treat, a toy or a walk. Just make sure she stops barking before you give the substitute or the dog will perceive it as a reward for barking.

If the dog is left alone a lot, has little chance to interact with you, has an environment devoid of companions or toys, or is a dog under three years old, the dog is probably barking out of boredom. Increase the dog's "people time" by taking walks, playing fetch or Frisbee®, teaching a few commands, attending an agility class, and providing safe, interesting toys to keep the dog busy. Kong®-type toys filled with peanut butter or broken up dog biscuits... busy-box toys... Treat Dispensing Balls, these are excellent choice. Rotating the toys will make them seem new and interesting, and hiding different toys around the dog's environment also helps.

Self-identification barkers can be difficult to control, especially in a household of multiple dogs and PARTICULARLY if the dogs are kept outside. There's usually an instigator dog and other dogs tend to join in. This is the barking your dog does when s/he hears other dogs barking. It can be controlled by using obedience and relaxation methods, and by offering substitute behavior like playing with a toy. If the sound of other dogs barking gets your dog to start, you can teach her how to respond appropriately by visiting web sites where you can select various dog barks for your dog to hear. Just do a Google search on "dog barking audio." When your dog hears the computer barking and he starts barking, use the opportunity to teach your dog how to respond to by saying, "Enough." The very second your dog stops - if only to draw breath for the next bark - pop a treat in his mouth and gush, "Good boy!" Repeat. Do this daily and be sure to do it outside under "real" circumstances, as well.

Territorial Alert and Warning barks are used to warn off intruders, be they man or beast. These warning barks are low in pitch, can be combined with growls - and if you've even heard your dog make this sound, you know that it's unlike any other sound your dog makes. Most of us appreciate this canine "early warning system" and think it's appropriate to reward with a "What is it, girl?" or "What do you hear, fella?"

If and when no intruder appears, give the dog the command, "Enough" to show that you believe the alarm has passed and that it's okay to stop vocalizing. If the dog doesn't stop this menacing sound, however, believe the dog.

Territorial barks become problematic when leveled at joggers, delivery people or kids on bicycles and can happen during walks or from the dog's own backyard. The dog's barking is reinforced by the fact that these people eventually leave, and now the dog thinks HE made the intruders go away with his barking. To stop this kind of barking, you need to teach the dog to respond to a command or signal to stop.There are a couple of ways to do this:

One way is to start by making a noise to distract the dog from barking. AS SOON as the dog stops, say, "enough" and immediately reward the dog either with praise or a treat. Don't give the reward until the barking stops or the dog will think that it is being rewarded for barking, not for stopping the barking.

Another approach is this one: When your dog begins to bark at a passerby, allow two or three barks, then say "enough" and interrupt the barking by squirting water into her mouth with a spray bottle or squirt gun. The surprise should cause her to stop barking, if only for a moment. In that moment, and while she's quiet, say "Good Dog!" in a happy voice and pop a treat into her mouth. The squirt isn't meant to punish her but to surprise her into quieting so you can reward her.

Play/excitement barks are often short and sharp. These barks are common if the dog gets too excited with the game whether it's with you or another dog. When the barking is excessive, it's best to stop the play, let the dog(s) calm down, and only allow play to resume when the barking stops. if it starts up again, repeat the process. If it STILL continues, it's time for a substitute activity.In time the dog(s) will learn to play with their "inside" voice.

Startled or Fear barking happens when the dog is faced with an unfamiliar or sudden sound or movement - like a car pulling into the driveway, or thunder. Your dog's posture indicates fear: ears back, tail held low...and his barks are short and crisp. This type of barking responds well to desensitivity training. In essence, you expose the dog to the sounds that consistently startle him. Start by recording the sound, like thunder, fire crackers, motorcycles,etc, or buy a recording of the sound. Play the sound to the dog very softly so that your dog will stay relaxed when hearing it. If she remains quiet, then reward her. Over days and weeks, gradually increase the volume until she is no longer startled into barking when she hears it.

Ultimately, if nothing works to solve your dog's excessive barking behavior, you just may have a pathologic barker - a dog who barks in an obsessive-compulsive manner over inappropriate things (a leaf falling) or becomes hyper-excited and aggressive with the approach of people or other dogs. These dogs need more serious behavior modification and a team-approach is highly recommended.

The team can be family members, dog friends, or anyone who is willing to work with the dog as long as they know to use the same commands in the same way as all the other team members. The services of a behavior modification expert can be highly useful in this scenario, as can a veterinarian who might recommend medication during the early going. We view medication as a last resort, but if faced with neighbors who are threatening to take you to court, your options are few.

Speaking of options, there are other remedies for barking and we'd be remiss in not mentioning them, though we believe they don't attack the root of problem barking: the cause. These options include bark collars and de-barking.

Bark collars work by producing a response to barking that the dog notices and presumably doesn't like. Be aware, however, that for some hard core barkers, they would rather bark and be punished than not bark at all.

Citronella collars spray citrus scent or mist around the dog's muzzle when the dog barks. Some collars make a sound before spraying as an additional deterrent. In theory, dogs aren't supposed to like this smell, but we've heard of dogs who quite liked it. One positive aspect to a citrus collar is that it can alert you to the fact that your dog was barking while you were gone since the citrus smell still lingers in the air;

Sonic/ultrasonic/vibration collars produce an allegedly inaudible note that over times, becomes annoying enough to the dog to deter barking.

Electrical shock collars sting or shock the dog when the dog barks. We don't like them. Not only do we prefer positive reinforcement, but we also find that shock collars don't distinguish between normal barking and problematic barking. Ultimately, the collar punishes the dog for being a dog. We also don't like the fact that not all collars have a failsafe mechanism that shuts off after a certain time to prevent ongoing operation. Imagine if the dog get out of the yard or is lost and is stuck in the collar until the battery dies.

Combination collars use both sound and spray together, while escalation collars use low levels of output that increase gradually until the barking stops. Escalation devices are a bit more "sporting" in that they "reward" the dog for stopping sooner and give the dog a chance to learn by inhibiting barking before a greater response is dispensed.

Debarking (which is illegal in the UK) is intended to lower the volume of a dog's bark by surgically reducing tissue in the dog's vocal chords. Some vets use a punch to remove tissue, others make cuts, while still others use a laser. The dog can still bark but sounds "hoarse.' In some dogs, scar tissue can form and the dog will bark louder than when first debarked. This is a hotly debated topic in some circles, particularly in light of a move around the country by animal rights groups to outlaw debarking. Some people find the sound of a debarked dog more annoying than an actual bark, others find it to be their only option when faced with a pathological barker, neighbors threatening civil action and animal control breathing down their neck.

We don't always get perfect dogs, but I haven't met one yet who wasn't worth the effort, time and patience.

S.E.Szeremy is a writer and creator of KnobNots.com [http://knobnots.com/] (the Friendly Alternative to Beware of Pet) and BabyKnobNots.com [http://www.babyknobnots.com/] (Keep the Peace So Baby Can Sleep). She's been an owner/handler/breeder of Pulik since 1978.

Stop Dog Barking Now. Discover How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Working out how to stop your dog from barking can be a difficult and time consuming task.

Dogs love to bark. It's a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it's normal for us humans to speak.

It's when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - including our cranky neighbors.

Considering this, our goal really isn't to stop dog barking altogether, but rather to control the excessive barking.

Keep in mind that there are situations when we want our dogs to bark (and I guess there are also times when I like my chatty aunty to speak!;)

The first step in modifying the behavior of an excessive barker is to determine the reason why the dog is barking in the first place. Once you've identified this cause or trigger, you can then plan the correct training solution.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though it may appear to you that your dog is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case. This is due to the fact that your dog has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans. Your dog's excessive barking is most probably being triggered by something.

Ok, now we've sorted out the reason for your dog's excessive barking, we just need to work out how to control the problem.

The most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavior problem, is that you must clearly communicate to your dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.


One of the biggest mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking. We actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins: Yell and scream at the dog - this just gives them the attention they were crying out for. Plus your dog will most probably just think you are joining in with them, adding to the excitement. Let them inside. If your dog is barking his head off outside, then you let him in, this just rewards and therefore reinforces the barking.

This also applies to dogs who bark to be released from a crate or bark to make you get up and prepare their dinner! If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definitely encouraging your dog to bark again. By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate and won't be tolerated.

Right, lets get stuck into some proven dog training techniques to help stop your dog from barking. I've listed the most common reasons why your dog may be barking, and added some proven solutions you can try to alleviate the problem.

This is a very common and annoying time for dogs to bark excessively. Try these training techniques: I'm not going to pretend this type of barking will be easy for you to control, because in reality it is often a difficult and lengthy process
.
Always remember that dogs are social creatures, when they are separated from their pack (you) they can become stressed, vulnerable and frustrated. This type of excessive barking is often caused by separation anxiety. This is one excessive barking problem that can be corrected very quickly. Workers such as the Postman or a delivery driver are constantly being barked at and harassed throughout their day.

Your dog perceives these type of people as intruders or a threat to their territory. When your dog barks in this situation he is rewarded every time, as the intruder goes away. Your dog is then very pleased that he has averted this "threat", which leads him to do it again and again. His behavior is reinforced and therefore can be a very difficult problem to extinguish. In extreme cases of excessive barking, where all else has failed, some people advocate debarking surgery. I've never needed to go down this path with any of my dogs, and don't think I ever would. But if you have come to the end of the line and think you have run out of options, you could discuss debarking surgery with your Veterinarian. Hopefully your Vet will come up with some other options before taking this drastic step.

Proper dog obedience training is the key to solving any behavioral problems (including stopping your dog from barking), and also to building a strong bond with your dog.

Train your dog at home with this comprehensive dog training course - dogproblems.com. It's a fantastic community of dog lovers who strive to raise and train their dogs in a positive, reward based and non-violent manner.




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