"NO BARK"
Dogs will be dogs, and most dogs will bark, whine and even howl at times - it's really a natural behavior.
Dogs vocalizebark/ to communicate with humans and to express themselves. Sometimes we want our dogs to bark in order to warn us about potential danger or protect us from harm. However, excessive barking is considered a behavior problem. What is the solution? Well, your dog needs to understand when to bark and when to be quiet, and it's your job to teach this to her. Start working on problem barking as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to curb the behavior. It is a good idea to teach your dog the Speak/Quiet Commands. This may be easier said than done. However, with dedication and consistency, you can teach your dog to bark on command AND to be quiet. When you get a puppy from me it usually has never used it's voice. I do not encourage barking. Sometimes new puppy owners want their dogs to bark at people because it is so cute when it is a tiny little "yip" from a precious little puppy. Those little precious "Yips" get louder, more frequent and very embarassing. Never encourage your dog to bark or howl on purpose.
Why do Dogs Bark?
It is important to understand that dogs bark for various reasons. They do not bark just to annoy you and your neighbors, nor do they bark for spite or revenge. Dogs don't bark just because they can (though it might seem that way at times). Certain dog breeds bark more than others - some types of dogs were actually bred to be barkers. If you listen closely, you will eventually learn your dog's different barks. Understanding the reason why your dog barks is the first step towards controlling the behavior.
In general, Here are six reasons a dog will most commonly bark:
- The Warning/Alert bark: It is natural for a dog to bark when someone is at the door or when strangers pass by the house or car. Many dogs will bark if they sense some type of threat, They bark to say "I'm here protecting this place so don't mess with me." The sound of this bark is usually sharp, loud and authoritative. Honing this instinct with training can help protect your home and family.
- Anxiety: Anxious barking often seems to be an an act of self-soothing for many dogs.
It is often high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by whining. This type of barking is common for dogs with separation anxiety. - Playfulness/Excitement bark: This type of barking is especially common in puppies and young dogs. Many dogs will bark while playing with people or other dogs. Even the sound of the bark tends to sound upbeat and almost musical. Some dogs will bark excitedly when they know they are about to go for a walk or car ride.
- The Attention-seeking bark: When you hear this bark, you will usually know just what it means. This bark says "Hey! Hey! You there! Look! Here I am!" Other dogs may whine and bark together to get attention, almost like the tone of a whining child. (If you don't have kids trust me.. It is annoying)
- The Boredom bark: The bark of a bored dog sounds like a dog that barks just to hear her own voice. Though it tends to be annoying, it is also kind of sad.
Bored dogs often bark to release excess energy, and sometimes bark out of loneliness. They usually need an activity and perhaps even a companion. If you suspect your dog has a boredom bark get him a friend. It eleviates you worrying about him being home all alone and gives him a friend to keep him company soothing your nerves. - Responding to Other Dogs: This is a familiar scenario - one dog down the street starts barking, and one by one the rest of your block joins in. Think about it, You've heard it.
How to Prevent and Stop Excessive Barking
Once you determine the cause of your dog's excessive barking, you can begin to control the behavior. The best way to prevent excessive barking in the first place is to try and remove any potential sources of the behavior. You also want to be certain not to inadvertently encourage the barking. Finally, give her better things to do besides barking. These are all common sense idea's but some people have never owned a dog so need to know:
IF YOU ALREADY OWN A BARKING DOG, IT WILL TEACH YOUR NEW DOG HOW TO BE A BARKING DOG NOT VISA VERSA.
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise so there is not as much pent-up energy to burn by barking, OR get it a companion.
- Avoid leaving a lonely dog alone for long periods of time if possible, this is a no brainer really.
- Never comfort, pet, hug or feed your dog when she is barking for attention or out of anxiety - that would be rewarding the behavior, thus encouraging it.
- Shouting at your dog to stop barking does not help. It may actually cause her to bark even more.
- This is hard to resist. 'm sure you've been to someone's house and their dogs have barked and they yell "Shut up" like the dog cares?
I Not so much.
- Avoid punishments like shock collars.
They are not only painful and unkind - many dogs will learn to test them and eventually work around them. I do not believe in shock collars. If you have to use them be careful.
- Try to get her attention with a clap or whistle. Once she is quiet, redirect her attention to something productive and rewarding - like a special toy or treat.
- After getting your dog's attention, practice basic commands, like sit and down in order to shift her focus.
DO NOT let your dog bark constantly outside, regardless of the reason. You cannot train her to stop barking by yelling at her across the yard. Plus, it is one of the fastest ways to turn neighbors into enemies and send an invitation to your local police. Certain neighbors and states have No bark policies. If your dog barks for more than 15 minutes even if intermittent you can be reported for excessive barking.
Train your dog to Speak and Be Quiet.
Consult your veterinarian and/or trainer if you continue to face barking issues despite your best efforts.
A Note About De-Barking Surgery- I know of only One vet in my whole town who actually does this procedure.
"Debarking," or cordectomy, is an elective surgical procedure involving partial removal of a dog's vocal cords. Debarking does not take away the dog's ability to bark - it just makes it sound quieter and raspy (considered annoying by some). In my opinion, debarking surgery is unnecessary and unfair to the dog. Surgery and anesthesia are always risky, so any procedure that is purely for human convenience and does not medically benefit the animal community should be avoided. In addition, excessive barking indicates an underlying issue that is usually behavioral. Surgery takes the noise away, but the anxiety, fear or similar problem remains unaddressed. Rather than debarking your dog, spend your time and money on training and/or visiting a veterinary behaviorist. Often the dog who has been "debarked" relearns how to bark again. It is not a guaranteed thing.
