Does your barking dog drive you crazy? Does it seem like the more you try to get him to stop, the worse it becomes? Don’t worry…you’re not alone! This is one of the most common behavior complaints made by dog owners.

Why does your dog bark?

*Dogs bark to warn other dogs of their territory.

*Dogs may bark when separated from their family.

*Dogs sometimes bark when anxious, afraid or frustrated.

*Medical problems, especially as your dog ages could also contribute to barking.

In many cases, we inadvertently make our barking dog problem worse, by yelling or constantly telling them to be quiet when this happens. There are several ways to prevent a barking problem, as well as methods to correct unwanted barking.

Prevention

Socialization, socialization, socialization! By exposing your young dog to a variety of people, animals, places, unfamiliar situations and other dogs early in life, you can prevent anxiety and fear from taking control later in life. Frequenting dog parks, play groups, meeting neighbors, or utilizing training programs that focus on socialization are great ways to accomplish this.

The trainers at Bark Tutor know how valuable socialization can be in preventing problems. They frequently dress-up in costumes, employ the use of canes, strollers, walkers and other objects to expose their students to a variety of situations. Their play groups also focus on controlled socialization so that no one gets “bullied”.

Correction

There are several methods for working on correcting your dog’s barking problem. The key to all of them is consistency and patience. It is important to always redirect your dog’s attention to what you want them to do, rather than bring attention to what you don’t want them to continue doing. Using a doorbell to trigger the barking behavior, with treat in hand, offer the treat to “sniff” when the dog barks. Dogs can’t bark and smell at the same time, so when your dog “quiets” to smell the treat, praise them for being quiet and reward them when they remain quiet for a few seconds. Continue this pattern, alternating different “barking triggers” until you get longer and longer periods of “quiet”. It’s also important to be very quiet and calm yourself in your praises. You want your dog to understand you are looking for “quiet and calm”.

If you have an out-of-control barking problem, you may need expert assistance. Our Director of Pet Behavior Services, Brad Phifer has extensive experience with the “barking dog blues”. Give him a call at 317-257-5334 or email him at b.phifer@bracpet.com for real solutions!

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