Getting Your Dog To Stop Barking
Are you bothered by your dog’s constant barking? Learning to control your dog’s barking is challenging, regardless of the breed you own. Different breeds have different reasons for starting to fuss. If you can determine the reason your dog’s barking is out of control it will help you teach your dog to control the barking and to bark when necessary, not at every little thing they see or hear.
Some people don’t mind constant barking, but many others do. Sometimes the fact is that you have dog that just barks too much. While it is important to remember your dog is using his or her bark to communicate with their owner and other dogs, constant barking is unnecessary. Just don’t go too far and try to stop your dog from barking completely. It’s completely appropriate for dogs to bark at some times.
First, research the type of dog you want before you get a dog. Knowing the purpose of a dog breed will give you a lot of information about how much the dog may bark. Don’t choose a dog bred for hunting or for stopping intruders.
Once you get a dog, don’t let it teach you to respond to incessant barking. If you get up and do what your dog wants just because it doesn’t stop barking, you are only rewarding the problem. Respond to your dog once she quiets down. This will train your dog to understand which behaviors will get her rewarded.
If your dog starts to bark, don’t do anything immediately. Remember, dogs are going to bark at times. If the barking continues you need to take action. Grasp her muzzle and close it with your hand gently, but firmly. If she tries to free herself from your hold, do not hurt her, but use your other hand to hold her collar.
Sometimes pet owners can figure out why their dog is barking and sometimes they cannot. I thought we would never get our Bischon to stop barking at every little noise, so I had to get outside help. You may think it’s odd to get help to stop your dog’s barking. Actually, it isn’t uncommon for dog owners to get help. I know because my dog no longer barks at every noise, day and night.
Tags: dog training, pet training
dog training | Ted Johnson | 30 May 2009 |
