Nothing reminds me more of summertime, barbeques and American suburbia than the quintessential sound of a barking dog. I'm sure that most people don't share my sentiment, but for me it invokes this strange feeling of comfort and care-free laziness. This goes to show that not all barking is bad. In fact, sometimes it's a great thing that our furry companions can alert us to things we really need to give our attention to.
Remember that dogs are very social and, therefore, can be vocal about things they want to communicate to their "pack." Unless you are the proud owner of a Basenji dog, which does not bark in the traditional sense, you're going to have moments where your pup will speak their mind. There may be times when you find yourself scratching your head, wondering what on Earth her problem is. Dogs have an amazing sense of hearing (as you already know) and might be able to pick up on the things that you can't. It helps to have an understanding of what different barks and/or body language means.
Warning/Alert: This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear your dog bark. Who's at the door? Is someone trying to get into the house? Dogs are awesome protectors and will often alert you if there is a stranger in the yard or near the windows. Barks intended to alert are usually continuous and rapid. Warning barks are a little more low pitched and are meant to warn others that the intruder is close. Be on your guard!
Boredom/Anxiety: This is common in dogs that have separation anxiety. The act of barking is actually soothing to some pups. Another reason why dogs bark, or whine is because they are bored. Even if you are at home, if you're not giving her any attention she will eventually get bored and lonely. Wouldn't you? This kind of bark is usually persistent and goes on for long periods of time. They'll usually whine along with the barking.
Communication with Other Dogs: If another dog is fussing about something, your dog may want to respond. She might be sick of hearing it, or maybe she has something to say back. Either way, she is under the impression that she's communicating with the other dog. Before you know it, all the dogs on the block are barking!
Excitement: Dogs will often bark while playing with either people or other dogs. They're just letting you know that either they want to play or are having a great time doing so.
Attention: Some dogs will start barking if you don't give them attention right away. She's trying to tell you,"Hello! I'm here! Please pay attention to me!"
Pain: If your pup is yelping continuously, she may be trying to tell you she's hurting. If you're unaware of any injury, be sure to give her your immediate attention and take care of whatever is ailing her.
Dog Barking Solutions
Try to remember that not all barking can be stopped. It's completely natural and you wouldn't want your dog to be afraid to open its mouth would you? For those moments where barking is not necessary, there are some things you can do quiet her down.
First, you should try to decipher what the problem is. Is your dog lonely, or full of pent up energy? If she's barking persistently for long periods of time, this might be the case - especially if she's whining as well. Chances are she needs some more exercise. Most dogs need around an hour of exercise a day. If you're having trouble fitting in this time, try waking up earlier and taking her for a 20 minute walk. You may consider hiring a dog walker if this is impossible.
If she's barking for any other reason, you may try making a loud noise, such as clapping, to grab her attention. Once you have it, try practicing basic commands like sit, or lay. This will keep her attention away from what was agitating her and focus on a rewarding activity. Having treats on hand will really reinforce this.
If you're looking for a short term fix, you may want to try this tip. First, give her a moment to bark and express herself. If she doesn't calm down on her own, clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly with your hand. You're not trying to hurt her, and this is completely humane. She will probably try to shake you off, but stand your ground. This will stop the barking, as she can't physically do this with her mouth shut, and reinforce your authority. Hold onto her muzzle until she's stopped trying to get free and once she has been calm for a moment or two, let her go and praise her.
Teaching your dog the Speak and Quiet commands may really help you stop the barking when needed.
I'm not a huge fan of the dog barking collars. Some owners swear by them, but since I have such a small dog I feel it borders on inhumane. An alternative might be to try a Citronella Anti-Bark Collar. These devices are similar to the no bark collars, but rather than shocking the dog, they spray a burst of citronella whenever they misbehave. The citronella is completely harmless and painless.
Try to remember that dogs are just going to bark sometimes! You certainly want her to voice her concern if there's an intruder, right? Working with her and helping her understand when it's time to stop barking is key. A little patience and time will render you a well behaved, and quiet pup.
Remember that dogs are very social and, therefore, can be vocal about things they want to communicate to their "pack." Unless you are the proud owner of a Basenji dog, which does not bark in the traditional sense, you're going to have moments where your pup will speak their mind. There may be times when you find yourself scratching your head, wondering what on Earth her problem is. Dogs have an amazing sense of hearing (as you already know) and might be able to pick up on the things that you can't. It helps to have an understanding of what different barks and/or body language means.
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Why Do Dogs Bark?Warning/Alert: This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear your dog bark. Who's at the door? Is someone trying to get into the house? Dogs are awesome protectors and will often alert you if there is a stranger in the yard or near the windows. Barks intended to alert are usually continuous and rapid. Warning barks are a little more low pitched and are meant to warn others that the intruder is close. Be on your guard!
Boredom/Anxiety: This is common in dogs that have separation anxiety. The act of barking is actually soothing to some pups. Another reason why dogs bark, or whine is because they are bored. Even if you are at home, if you're not giving her any attention she will eventually get bored and lonely. Wouldn't you? This kind of bark is usually persistent and goes on for long periods of time. They'll usually whine along with the barking.
Communication with Other Dogs: If another dog is fussing about something, your dog may want to respond. She might be sick of hearing it, or maybe she has something to say back. Either way, she is under the impression that she's communicating with the other dog. Before you know it, all the dogs on the block are barking!
Excitement: Dogs will often bark while playing with either people or other dogs. They're just letting you know that either they want to play or are having a great time doing so.
Attention: Some dogs will start barking if you don't give them attention right away. She's trying to tell you,"Hello! I'm here! Please pay attention to me!"
Pain: If your pup is yelping continuously, she may be trying to tell you she's hurting. If you're unaware of any injury, be sure to give her your immediate attention and take care of whatever is ailing her.
Dog Barking Solutions
Try to remember that not all barking can be stopped. It's completely natural and you wouldn't want your dog to be afraid to open its mouth would you? For those moments where barking is not necessary, there are some things you can do quiet her down.
First, you should try to decipher what the problem is. Is your dog lonely, or full of pent up energy? If she's barking persistently for long periods of time, this might be the case - especially if she's whining as well. Chances are she needs some more exercise. Most dogs need around an hour of exercise a day. If you're having trouble fitting in this time, try waking up earlier and taking her for a 20 minute walk. You may consider hiring a dog walker if this is impossible.
If she's barking for any other reason, you may try making a loud noise, such as clapping, to grab her attention. Once you have it, try practicing basic commands like sit, or lay. This will keep her attention away from what was agitating her and focus on a rewarding activity. Having treats on hand will really reinforce this.
If you're looking for a short term fix, you may want to try this tip. First, give her a moment to bark and express herself. If she doesn't calm down on her own, clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly with your hand. You're not trying to hurt her, and this is completely humane. She will probably try to shake you off, but stand your ground. This will stop the barking, as she can't physically do this with her mouth shut, and reinforce your authority. Hold onto her muzzle until she's stopped trying to get free and once she has been calm for a moment or two, let her go and praise her.
Teaching your dog the Speak and Quiet commands may really help you stop the barking when needed.
I'm not a huge fan of the dog barking collars. Some owners swear by them, but since I have such a small dog I feel it borders on inhumane. An alternative might be to try a Citronella Anti-Bark Collar. These devices are similar to the no bark collars, but rather than shocking the dog, they spray a burst of citronella whenever they misbehave. The citronella is completely harmless and painless.
Try to remember that dogs are just going to bark sometimes! You certainly want her to voice her concern if there's an intruder, right? Working with her and helping her understand when it's time to stop barking is key. A little patience and time will render you a well behaved, and quiet pup.
