Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, such as loneliness, boredom, attention seeking, and defending territory to name a few. Whatever the reason, barking can turn into a noisy, undesirable habit. Yelling at a barking dog to stop may make things worse, so here are a few tips on ways to make your household quieter.
Training, companionship, and affection are ways to prevent your dog from developing the bad habit of barking. Dogs are pack animals, so they may get distressed when you leave them alone. In order to get your dog used to your absence, try leaving at different times of the day for varying amounts of time. Don’t make a fuss over the dog when you leave or return. Leaving the radio or TV on may help relax your dog. You can also give your dog a special toy before you leave to keep it occupied.
Dogs left outside may bark because they hear strange noises, they are bored, or they are protecting their territory. If this is happening, try to walk your dog more often, and spend more time with it. Moving the kennel to change the view may help reduce boredom, as can giving your pet a special toy before you leave. You can also hide treats and toys around the garden for the dog to find.
So how do you correct a dog that is barking at the wrong time? When your dog starts to bark, spray it with water or shake a tin full of change or marbles to startle it enough to stop. You can also reprimand it with a sharp ‘NO’. Be sure to reward your dog when it obeys you. If your dog barks to get attention or food, ignore it. Your dog will eventually get tired and stop. Reward the dog to reinforce the good behaviour. You can also try an anti-bark collar that sprays a scent unpleasant to dogs whenever it barks.. If none of these methods work, it’s time to take your dog to a dog trainer or animal behaviourist.
Some breeds can be more vocal than others, such as the terriers, herding dogs, hounds, and toy breeds. Keep this in mind, when you are selecting a puppy!
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