Articles

Your dog can be barking for numerous reasons, and it's important that you understand the reasons your dog barks so you know for sure if it's a dog barking problem. First you will need to know what normal dog barking is, and that would be:

Normal Dog Barking

Barking is a dog's natural way of getting your attention. The same way we ask questions or let someone know something is amiss or wrong. Make sure the animal has the necessities like ample food, water and comfortable places to be.

When your dog is hungry or thirsty they will bark or whine. This is like saying, "Hey I don't feel right. I need help!" Figure out which one they are pointing towards and that will minimize barking. They will also bark for shelter. If it's too hot or cold, they will bark to tell you they are uncomfortable. If your dog is lonely or sick they make bark to let you know that they don't feel well. So it's important to make sure their needs are met before taking further action. They are screaming for help and will get severely confused if you punish them for doing so.

One final reason for normal barking is that your dog may be frustrated. If they are in a small space for too long, extremely bored, or because their is someone threatening their territory they will bark. Help relieve this frustration by playing with them, taking them on a walk, or moving them so they cannot see out the window at the intruders.

Abnormal Dog Barking

Barking can be a problem sometimes, especially when it is for no apparent reason. This is usually when a dog is bored, not getting the attention they are accustomed to receiving or simply were never taught to be alone for a while. Some resolutions to this problem barking are:

1. When You Come Home

When you return from being out, do not greet the dog as if you were away for a great deal of time. A simple pat on the head and a "Hello" should suffice. Anything more leaves the impression that being alone is a BIG deal and they will bark incessantly while you are away.

2. Limit Praise

Limit the praise you give your dog to when they have earned it. Without a clear reason to why they are getting praise, this leads them to believe they can get it whenever they want. Then, they will bark until they get it. At this point I don't care if you are the most patient person in the world sooner or later you will give in to this barking, and only reinforcing their barking habits.

3. Curing Anxiety

Get your dog used to being alone for short periods. Give them a good chew toy and when they are absorbed in the toy, leave the room and shut the door. When you return, don't make it a big event. They will probably swarm you for affection, which you should ignore. This reinforces the idea that you're being away wasn't that important to their survival after all. Do this repeatedly until the days pass and they no longer seem phased when you leave the room.

Barking Relief

These are some of the things you can do to curb abnormal barking. If these do not show any results, there are other, more radical solutions, like a citronella barking collar or an electric shock collar. These are completely humane, simple and safe to use.

Citronella collars will gently spritz a whiff of citronella in front of the dog's nose when he barks. Dogs dislike the odor of the stuff and it works surprisingly well for most dogs.The shock collar is a little more dramatic and emits a light shock when the dog barks. This is reserved for moderate to severe problems.