Welcome to our
Canine Behavior Section
Barking
Barking is a normal, natural behavior for dogs. It relieves tension. It drives strangers away (they always leave eventually) It is the way dogs communicate. Most dog owners want their dog to bark if they hear someone at the window or entering the yard. Dogs are natural warning devices. However, barking should stop when the dog is commanded to do so. Also, owner absent barking can be quite annoying to others. For this reason, we need to control the behavior when possible.
The best way to stop a behavior from reoccurring is to associate it with a negative reinforcement. Effective negative reinforcements vary from dog to dog depending upon several factors including breed, age, device, timing and alike. I use my voice, a soda can fill led with pennies, a squirt of water, a leash check, to name a few. When the dog barks say "Quiet!." in an authoritative voice. This command means to stop barking. If the dog barks again, activate the negative reinforcer (throw the can to the floor near the dog or snap the leash) and repeat the command "Quiet". If the dog shuts up, praise him.
Owner absent behaviors are the most difficult to control. If you are not home, your dog should be indoors if possible. Dogs left outdoors can run away, destroy property, or be stolen or harmed by a stranger. Keep the dog in a crate in the house if he is not yet house trained. Play a talk radio station is another room so that the dog will not feel he is alone. When it is time to leave, just leave. Drape the crate with a towel to limit sensory stimuli if necessary. And leave interesting toys for the dog to play with. If all else fails, hire a good trainer or animal behaviorist to show you devices to stop a dog's barking. And as a last resort, a qualified behaviorist can work with your veterinarian to prescribe drugs (Prozac is a good one in some cases) for extreme separation anxiety. These drugs should always accompany a behavior modification program under the supervision of a behaviorist.
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