Did you get a new dog? Were things going well with your new dog until the neighbors paid you a visit to inform you that your new dog barks all day? Do you find that you are awakened frequently at night because he barks all night long too? Don't have a mental breakdown and send him back. I've got some simple practical tips to help you to calm the noise in your household.
Listen: Dogs bark. That is what they instinctually do. If he didn't bark, you'd wonder what was wrong with him.
On the other end of the scale are dogs that bark way too much. This includes puppies. Everything said in this article will refer to puppies and dogs both. You might find that you have an easier time with older dogs that have already had some training.
Reasons for Barking
Dogs bark out of a natural instinct. It's how they communicate with other dogs and alert humans. With proper training however, you can train your dog to bark only at appropriate times like when a stranger is lurking or if he has to go outside.
Before you begin, it's important to know why dogs bark. There really are some legitimate reasons other than just wanting to be heard.
1. Separation anxiety - You've been there for him, spent some fun times making him feel comfortable with you and his surroundings, but now it's time for you to go back to work and all of a sudden he feels alone and abandoned. Like a child who spends all day with his momma, the first time you have to leave him can be very difficult for him. His barking might be the way he copes with the separation.
2. Attention seeking - Hey, dogs like attention just like the rest of us. If you have come running in the past when they bark, they will continue to bark often to get more attention.
3. Noises - Dogs are distracted easily. Any noise can elicit a barking response: The doorbell, the door opening, the oven timer and others. You get the picture.
Cease and Desist
Now that you know why the dog barks, you can more intelligently try to solve the problem. Teach your dog when his barking is appropriate.
* Give him plenty of exercise. An extended play session or training before you plan to leave the house will tire him out. He may even sleep while you are gone.
* Practice leaving the house before the actual event occurs. Grab your keys and leave for a few minutes. Once your dog realizes that you are gone, he may bark. If he does, come back in and give him a command to be quiet. Repeat the exercise until your dog understands that you will return.
* Keep a leash on your dog before the event that triggers the barking. When he starts barking at the doorbell or for attention, pull on the leash and give him the command to be quiet and to stay.
Are you getting barking complaints? Before you pull your hair out, try these tips.
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