SOLVING
BARKING PROBLEMS
If you
ever wonder if your dog's bark is worse than his proverbial bite,
the answer may lie no further than your next-door neighbor. Some canine
behavior problems, such as house soiling, affect only a dog's family.
But problems such as escaping and excessive barking can result in
neighborhood disputes and violations of animal control ordinances,
and that means problems with your pet can soon become "people
problems."
Learn
Why Your Dog Barks
If your dog's "talkative nature" has created tension with
your neighbors, then it's a good idea to discuss the problem with
them. It's perfectly normal and reasonable for dogs to bark from time
to time, just as children make noise when they play outside. But continual
barking for long periods of time is a symptom of a problem that needs
addressing-from the perspectives of your neighbors and your dog.
First,
determine when and for how long your dog barks and what causes him
to bark. You may need to do some clever detective work to obtain this
information, especially if the barking occurs when you're not home.
Ask your neighbors what they see and hear, drive or walk around the
block and watch and listen for a while, or start a tape recorder or
video camera when you leave for work.
With
a little effort you should be able to find out which of the common
problems discussed below is the cause of your dog's barking.
Social
Isolation/Frustration/Attention-Seeking
Your dog may be barking out of boredom and loneliness if:
- He's
left alone for long periods of time without opportunities to interact
with you.
- His
environment is relatively barren, without companions or toys.
" He's a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn't
have outlets for his energy.
- He's
a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting
breeds) who needs to be occupied to be happy.
Recommendations
Expand your dog's world and increase his "people time" in
the following ways:
- Walk
your dog at least twice daily-it's good exercise, both mentally
and physically. Walks should be more than just "potty breaks."
- Teach
your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee® and practice with him as
often as possible.
- Teach
your dog a few commands or tricks and practice them every day for
five to 10 minutes.
- Take
a dog training class with your dog. This allows you and your dog
to work together toward a common goal.
- To
help fill the hours that you're not home, provide safe, interesting
toys to keep your dog busy, such as Kong®-type toys filled with
treats or busy-box toys. Rotating the toys will make them seem new
and interesting.
- If
your dog is barking to get your attention, make sure he has sufficient
time with you on a daily basis (petting, grooming, playing, exercising).
- Keep
your dog inside when you're unable to supervise him.
- Let
your neighbors know that you are actively working on the problem.
- If
your dog is well socialized and you have your employer's permission,
take your dog to work with you every now and then.
- When
you have to leave your dog for extended periods of time, take him
to a "doggie day care center," hire a pet sitter or dog
walker, or have a trusted friend/neighbor walk and play with him.
Territorial/Protective
Behavior
Your dog may be barking to guard his territory if:
- The
barking occurs in the presence of "intruders," which may
include the mail carrier, children walking to school, and other
dogs or neighbors in adjacent yards.
- Your
dog's posture while he's barking appears threatening-tail held high
and ears up and forward.
- You've
encouraged your dog to be responsive to people and noises outside.
Recommendations
- Teach
your dog a "quiet" command. When he begins to bark at
a passerby, allow two or three barks, then say "quiet"
and interrupt his barking by shaking a can filled with pennies or
squirting water at his mouth with a spray bottle or water squirt
gun. His surprise should cause him to stop barking momentarily.
While he's quiet, say "good quiet" and pop a tasty treat
into his mouth.
- Remember,
the loud noise or water squirt isn't meant to punish him; rather
it's to distract him into being quiet so you can reward him. If
your dog is frightened by the noise or squirt bottle, find an alternative
method of interrupting his barking (perhaps throw a toy or ball
near him).
- Desensitize
your dog to the stimulus that triggers the barking. Teach him that
the people he views as intruders are actually friends and that good
things happen to him when these people are around.
- Ask
someone to walk by your yard, starting far enough away so that
your dog isn't barking, then reward quiet behavior and correct
responses to a "sit" or "down" command with
special treats such as little pieces of cheese. As the person
gradually comes closer, continue to reward your dog's quiet
behavior. It may take several sessions before the person can
come close without your dog barking. When the person can come
very close without your dog barking, have him feed your dog
a treat or throw a toy for him.
- If
your dog barks while inside the house when you're home, call him
to you, have him obey a command such as "sit" or "down,"
and reward him with praise and a treat. Don't encourage this type
of barking by enticing your dog to bark at things he hears or sees
outside. Remember to pay attention to your dog when he's being quiet
too, so that he comes to associate such behavior with attention
and praise.
- Have
your dog spayed or neutered to decrease territorial behavior.
Fears
and Phobias
Your dog's barking may be a response to something he's afraid of if:
- The
barking occurs when he's exposed to loud noises, such as thunderstorms,
firecrackers, or construction noise.
- Your
dog's posture indicates fear-ears back, tail held low.
Recommendations
Identify what's frightening your dog and desensitize him to it. You
may need professional help with the desensitization process. Talk
to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication while you work
on behavior modification.
During
thunderstorms or other frightening times, mute noise from outside
by leaving your dog in a comfortable area in a windowless bathroom,
etc. and turn on a television, radio, or loud fan. Block your dog's
access to outdoor views that might be causing a fear response by closing
curtains or doors to certain rooms. Avoid coddling your dog so that
he doesn't think that he is being rewarded for his fearful behavior.
Separation
Anxiety
Your dog may be barking due to separation anxiety if:
- The
barking occurs only when you're gone and starts as soon as, or shortly
after, you leave.
- Your
dog displays other behaviors that reflect a strong attachment to
you, such as following you from room to room, greeting you frantically,
or reacting anxiously whenever you prepare to leave.
- Your
dog has recently experienced a change in the family's schedule that
means he's left alone more often; a move to a new house; the death
or loss of a family member or another family pet; or a period at
an animal shelter or boarding kennel.
Recommendations
Some cases of separation anxiety can be resolved using counterconditioning
and desensitization techniques. Successful treatment for some cases
may also require the use of medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
Bark
Collars
There are several types of bark collars on the market, and we generally
don't recommend them. The main drawback of any bark collar is that
it doesn't address the underlying cause of the barking. You may be
able to eliminate the barking, but symptom substitution may occur
and your dog may begin digging or escaping, or become destructive
or even aggressive.
A bark
collar must be used in conjunction with behavior modification that
addresses the reason for the barking, as outlined above. You should
never use a bark collar on your dog if his barking is due to separation
anxiety or fears or phobias because punishment always makes fear and
anxiety behaviors worse.
Adapted
from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists
at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. ©2000 Dumb Friends
League and ©2003 The HSUS. All rights reserved.
