How to Stop Dog Barking
Barking is a very hot topic and trying to stop dog barking is often touted as being contrary to owning a dog. Many people feel that a dog who barks provides security and while this can be the case, some dogs take barking much further. So far, in fact, that they bark at even the slightest noise and become an annoyance.
It is these annoyance barkers that can cause many problems for their owners, including fines and evictions from apartments and it is also theese barkers that are often placed in shelters.
Before you try to curb your dog’s barking, it is important to understand that barking isn’t necessarily bad. There are many times when barking can be good and it is a way for the dog to express himself. In addition, many dogs can be trained to bark and are more than happy to only bark on command.
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When barking becomes an annoyance, and your dog is barking a lot of the time, then it becomes a problem and should be corrected. As i always say, before anyone tries to stop dog barking, it is important to know why your dog barks:
Boredom and Loneliness: This is commonly seen when a dog is left alone during the day and is usually crated. They are alone, they are bored and they want the world to know it. Barking helps them express the problem, but unfortunately, it can aggravate your neighbors.
Warning: This is commonly seen as a positive bark and it is usually encouraged by owners. However, warning barking can become an annoyance if your dog is barking a warning for everything.
Attention: Some dogs will bark to get your attention and it is often combined with whining.
Play: One Labrador Retriever that I knew, never barked for anything, except when his owners began playing with him. Suddenly, this dog would start barking like crazy and while it was funny, it could be very disruptive. That being said, play barking is not that uncommon and it simply lets people know that the dog is excited.
Needs not being met: Like many other behaviors, if a dog’s needs are not being met, such as proper exercise or interaction, he may bark.
Breed Disposition: Before you purchase a dog, you should determine how much barking you can endure. Some breeds, like the Beagle, are very vocal, where others, like the Basenji, aren’t.
Learned Behavior: Lastly, some dogs bark simply because it is a learned behavior. When they were younger, they were praised for barking, even if it was as simple as saying, “What a brave boy you are,” when he barked at something strange.
Now that you know some of the reasons as to why your dog might be barking, its time to learn how to actually stop dog barking, which you will find our next article: How to Stop Dog Barking – Part Two
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