Humans have a variety of words available to express a thought. Dogs have only a bark. Sure, that is part of their charm, but what happens when your dog is a real talker and all that barking is disrupting your household or (gulp!) the neighborhood? Ami Moore, a Chicago Dog Trainer, answers the question.
Identify the Cause
There are a few primary reasons dogs bark. The first is to alert you that something is amiss. We will call that the Lassie Bark (“What was that, girl? Timmy's in the well? Let's go!). Sometimes it is as simple as boredom or loneliness. At least barking is giving your dog something to do. The third predominant type of bark is “joining the pack” when another dog pipes up, your dog immediately feels the need to chime in.
Identifying if your dog is responding to a threat, is bored, or is responding to another dog's bark is important to correct the behavior you don't want.
The Lassie Bark
When your dog springs into action, often with ears cocked and a very intent expression when barking, it is likely he is guarding his territory. Some breeds are more diligent than others about keeping their perimeter secured and their people safe. You might appreciate this feature, but your neighbor and the mailman most likely do not. This bark needs to be addressed a little differently from the random and “joining in” bark. Instead of a firm “NO BARK!” command, engage your dog in a game. “Who's there?” you may say as you head for the door. Once you've acknowledged the dog's concern and cleared the perimeter, you can tell him he's a good dog and tell him you are ready for quiet. Consistency will help him to stand down faster upon receiving the “quiet” command from you.
The Boredom Bark
If your neighbors are upset with you because the dog is barking all day, your dog may be lonely or bored. A boredom bark often is a little less clipped than the Lassie Bark, and may even have a touch of mournfulness. The key is to give yourself something to do while you are away. A favorite treat in one of those kong toys that will take him hours to finish is a great start. Giving him a ball loaded with dry food that he has to turn over to get the food out is a great way to distract him, too. Leave the radio on, too, for some variety and background noise. If your dog is crate trained, a blanket over it may soothe him, too. Also, tucker your dog out. A sleeping dog is one not too prone to barking. A lengthy morning walk or vigorous fetch session before work may do the trick.
Sometimes boredom and loneliness barking is best assuaged with the addition of a buddy. This can be another dog. Many dog owners swear having two dogs is easier to manage than one. Just make sure you have the space, energy and cash on hand to take care of another family member before resorting to this tactic to resolve a barking issue.
Joining the Pack Bark
You can knock on your neighbor's door and ask for his help in minimizing your dog's barking by controlling his own dog's bad habit. This behavior can be modified without enlisting your neighbor's help (or incurring his wrath, in some cases). Leave the television on, the radio, or anything that creates consistent noise inside the home. Try not to leave the windows open. This will minimize your dog's exposure to the stimulus creating the problem.
Tiring out your dog is helpful, too, so exercise him regularly. This way, he won't be expending that pent up energy by joining the chorus. Worse, you don't want this to evolve into boredom barking and creating a whole new set of issues to resolve.
Bark Collars and Citronella Collars
Bark collars emit an electric shock when a dog starts to bark. If the dog continues to bark, the shock grows stronger. The dog is supposed to learn that when he barks, bad things happen. When he stops barking, the shocks cease. Citronella collars work under the same premise. The only problem with these devices, according to Ami Moore, is they must be used under strict supervision, if at all. “A dog barking for a valid reason should never be shocked. Furthermore, if the dog is barking out of fear, or to protect his turf, the barking can actually get worse. The dog is convinced something really bad is happening, and it is reinforced with every shock or burst of offensive odor. It can make a marginal dog neurotic, at the very least.” She adds, “A minimal shock, set at a "tickle" level, is acceptable to distract the dog from the bad behavior. Used improperly, a shock collar can be harmful.”
Breed Selection
We mentioned earlier some dogs are more prone to barking than others. Ami suggests avoiding hounds and terriers if barking will be particularly burdensome to your living situation. Norwegian Elkhounds, for instance, are notoriously independent - and mouthy. Even if you love the breed, you may want to hold off adding one to your household if you're an apartment dweller. Samoyeds and Chow Chows are similar size dogs less known for their tendencies to bark.
It may take some patience and understanding, but controlling excessive barking is like any other dog behavior. Consistent attention is key to rewarding the behavior you want and discouraging the behavior you want to eradicate.
