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Barking
 If
you've ever wondered if your dog's bark is worse than his proverbial bite, the
answer may lie no further than your next-door neighbor. Some canine behavior
problems, such as house soiling, affect only a dog's family. But problems such
as escaping and excessive barking can result in neighborhood disputes and
violations of animal control ordinances, and that means problems with your pet
can soon become "people problems."
If your dog's "talkative nature" has created tension with your neighbors,
then it's a good idea to discuss the problem with them. It's perfectly normal
and reasonable for dogs to bark from time to time, just as children make noise
when they play outside. But continual barking for long periods of time is a
symptom of a problem that needs addressing—from the perspective of your
neighbors and your dog.
The first thing to do is determine when and for how long your dog barks, and
what causes him to bark. You may need to do some clever detective work to obtain
this information, especially if the barking occurs when you're not home. Ask
your neighbors what they see and hear, drive or walk around the block and watch
and listen for a while, or start a tape recorder or video camera when you leave
for work. With a little effort you should be able to find out which of the
common problems discussed below is the cause of your dog's barking.
Learn Why Your Dog Barks
Social Isolation/Frustration/Attention-Seeking
Your dog may be barking out of boredom and loneliness if:
- He's left alone for long periods of time without opportunities to interact
with you.
- His environment is relatively barren, without companions or toys.
- He's a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn't have other
outlets for his energy.
- He's a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting
breeds) who needs to be occupied to be happy.
Recommendations:
Expand your dog's world and increase his "people time" in the following ways:
- Walk your dog at least twice daily—it's good exercise, both mental and
physical. Walks should not only be considered "potty breaks."
- Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee® and practice with him as often
as possible.
- Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks and practice them every day
for five to ten minutes.
- Take a dog-training class with your dog. This allows you and your dog to
work together toward a common goal.
- To help fill the hours that you're not home, provide safe, interesting
toys to keep your dog busy, such as Kong®-type toys filled with treats or
busy-box toys. Rotating the toys will make them seem new and interesting.
- If your dog is barking to get your attention, make sure he has sufficient
time with you on a daily basis (petting, grooming, playing, exercising).
- Keep your dog inside when you're unable to supervise him.
- Let your neighbors know that you are actively working on the problem.
- If your dog is well socialized and you have your employer's permission,
take your dog to work with you every now and then.
- When you have to leave your dog for extended periods of time, take him to
a "doggie day care center," hire a pet sitter or dog walker, or have a trusted
friend or neighbor walk and play with him.
Territorial/Protective Behavior
Your dog may be barking to guard his territory if:
- The barking occurs in the presence of "intruders," which may include the
mail carrier, children walking to school, and other dogs or neighbors in
adjacent yards.
- Your dog's posture while he's barking appears threatening—tail held high
and ears up and forward.
- You've encouraged your dog to be responsive to people and noises outside.
Recommendations:
- Teach your dog a "quiet" command. When he begins to bark at a passerby,
allow two or three barks, then say "quiet" and interrupt his barking by
shaking a can filled with pennies or squirting water at his mouth with a spray
bottle or squirt gun. This surprise should cause him to stop barking
momentarily. While he's quiet, say "good quiet" and pop a tasty treat into his
mouth. Remember, the loud noise or squirt isn't meant to punish him; rather
it's to distract him into being quiet so you can reward him. If your dog is
frightened by the noise or squirt bottle, find an alternative method of
interrupting his barking (perhaps throw a toy or ball near him).
- Desensitize your dog to the stimulus that triggers the barking. Teach him
that the people he views as intruders are actually friends and that good
things happen to him when these people are around. Ask someone to walk by your
yard, starting far enough away so that your dog isn't barking, then reward
quiet behavior and correct responses to a "sit" or "down" command with special
treats such as little pieces of cheese. As the person gradually comes closer,
continue to reward your dog's quiet behavior. It may take several sessions
before the person can come close without your dog barking. When the person can
come very close without your dog barking, have him feed your dog a treat or
throw a toy for him.
- If your dog barks while inside the house when you're home, call him to
you, have him obey a command such as "sit" or "down," and reward him with
praise and a treat. Remember to pay attention to your dog when he's being
quiet, too, so that he comes to associate such behavior with attention and
praise.
- Don't encourage this type of barking by enticing your dog to bark at
things he hears or sees outside.
- Have your dog spayed or neutered to decrease territorial behavior.
Fears and Phobias
Your dog's barking may be a response to something he's afraid of if:
- The barking occurs when he's exposed to loud noises, such as
thunderstorms, firecrackers, or construction noise.
- Your dog's posture indicates fear—ears back, tail held low.
Recommendations:
- Identify what's frightening your dog and desensitize him to it. You may
need professional help with the desensitization process. Talk to your
veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication while you work on behavior
modification.
- During thunderstorms or other frightening times, mute noise from outside
by leaving your dog in a comfortable area in a basement or windowless
bathroom, and leave on a television, radio, or loud fan. Block off your dog's
access to outdoor views that might be causing a fear response, by closing
curtains or doors to certain rooms. Avoid coddling your dog so that he doesn't
think that he is being rewarded for his fearful behavior.
Separation Anxiety
Your dog may be barking due to separation anxiety if:
- The barking occurs only when you're gone and starts as soon as, or shortly
after, you leave.
- Your dog displays other behaviors that reflect a strong attachment to you,
such as following you from room to room, greeting you frantically, or reacting
anxiously whenever you prepare to leave.
- Your dog has recently experienced a change in the family's schedule that
means he's left alone more often; a move to a new house; the death or loss of
a family member or another family pet; or a period at an animal shelter or
boarding kennel.
Recommendations:
- Some cases of separation anxiety can be resolved using
counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques. Successful treatment for
some cases may also require the use of medication prescribed by your
veterinarian.
Bark Collars
There are several types of bark collars on the market, and we generally don't
recommend them. The main drawback of any bark collar is that it doesn't address
the underlying cause of the barking. You may be able to eliminate the barking,
but symptom substitution may occur and your dog may begin digging or escaping,
or become destructive or even aggressive. A bark collar must be used in
conjunction with behavior modification that addresses the reason for the
barking, as outlined above. You should never use a bark collar on your dog if
his barking is due to separation anxiety, or fears or phobias, because
punishment always makes fear and anxiety behaviors worse.
© 2002. Adapted from material originally developed by applied
animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights
reserved.
Up
Aggression
Barking
Basic Training Techniques
Caring for Your Dog
Choosing a Dog Trainer
Crate Training
Destructive Chewing
Digging
Dog Toys
Do You Chain Your Dog
Dominant Dogs
Eating Strange Objects
Escaping
Fear of Thunder
Fearful Dogs
Housetraining
How to Use a Head Halter
Introducing Pets to a New Dog
Positive Reinforcement
Puppy Behavior Basics
Puppy Chewing
Puppy Nipping and Rough Play
Separation Anxiety
Stay Dog Bite Free
Submissive and Excitement Urination
Urine-Marking Behavior
Using Aversives to Modify Your Dog's Behavior
Removing Pet Stains and Odors
Dog Who's Left Outside
Dogs and Pickup Trucks Don't Mix
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