I was recently asked about an excessive barker issue that a friend of mine is having with their dog. Barking can be a serious problem living in the inner city since most neighbors will not tolerate a dog doing this. What do we do?
Why do dogs bark? They lack attention, they're attention hogs. They are territorial or simply have separation anxiety which can lead to them acting out and looking for attention - hence barking. Indirectly this same behavior leads to a dog becoming destructive so curbing a dog barker can actually help down the road.
Rules is the first thing that need to be in place and you as the owner need to follow thru with them. Dogs like kids need direction. When the parameters of what they can and can't get away with are established then it's much easier to reprimand your dog for what he/she is doing wrong and praise them for doing what is right.
RULES:
*obviously NO BARKING is allowed unless there is a reason for the dog to be.
*a correction must be given when your dog bark for no reason, following thru with another correction if they continue.
*a correction can consist of a balled up pair of old socks or magazine, ducked-taped and thrown at his/her direction with the intent of hitting them but not hurting them whenever they bark!
*a crate should be purchased, in which case if they continue to bark he/she is placed in their cage and banished to a part of the house which the dog cannot have human contact with.
*after 20 - 30 mins of sitting in their cage there allowed to be loose again.
*follow the steps above if your dog continues to bark again. depending on the dog (every dog is different) some will get it within a few times of correcting them while others can take up to a few months. (lets hope your dog is like the first type!)
*key is to maintain steadfast in your pursuit of not allowing your dog to bark unless they have a reason. when your dog does, remember there is no negotiations he/she is to be corrected a couple of times (very sternly and then placed in his/her crate) the dog will learn that every time they begin to bark if he/she doesn't stop it will be corrected. in the event that your dog does stop, guess what he/she should be let loose as a way of a of praise.
RULES:
*obviously NO BARKING is allowed unless there is a reason for the dog to be.
*a correction must be given when your dog bark for no reason, following thru with another correction if they continue.
*a correction can consist of a balled up pair of old socks or magazine, ducked-taped and thrown at his/her direction with the intent of hitting them but not hurting them whenever they bark!
*a crate should be purchased, in which case if they continue to bark he/she is placed in their cage and banished to a part of the house which the dog cannot have human contact with.
*after 20 - 30 mins of sitting in their cage there allowed to be loose again.
*follow the steps above if your dog continues to bark again. depending on the dog (every dog is different) some will get it within a few times of correcting them while others can take up to a few months. (lets hope your dog is like the first type!)
*key is to maintain steadfast in your pursuit of not allowing your dog to bark unless they have a reason. when your dog does, remember there is no negotiations he/she is to be corrected a couple of times (very sternly and then placed in his/her crate) the dog will learn that every time they begin to bark if he/she doesn't stop it will be corrected. in the event that your dog does stop, guess what he/she should be let loose as a way of a of praise.
What is equally important is obedience training. Imagine being with someone that lacks manners, experience and class. you wouldn't be with someone like that yet most owners own a dog like that.
Obedience training is important, it gives a dog a sense of confidence (which will in turn, possibly curb his neediness of wanting to bark) and also give him/her some fundamentals. Obedience training is the equivalent of getting an education (reading, writing, arithmetic, etc) for a dog. If a human doesn't have the basics in life then obviously they'll have tremendous setbacks in their life. The same can be said for a dog.
Obedience training consist of sit,stay,come,down,heel. Most trainers can help you achieve this level of training. It is these fundamentals that can help you from getting rid of your dog or being a happy owner for years.
Thank you for taking the time to read this column, please forward any questions or comments below.
Steve the dog trainer!
Steve the dog trainer!
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