Why Dogs Bark and How to Control Barking

Dogs bark for different reasons. If your dog barks and you want to know how to control his barking you must first learn the reason for his barking.

There are generally three distinct types of barking.

Dogs Bark Because they are Bored

Your dog is  a pack animal and as such he needs ample daily exercise, social stimulation and interaction. One of the most common cause of dog barking is when the daily needs of exercise and stimulation have nor been met. They become bored and barking becomes the outlet to relive their doggy boredom. If your dog spends most of his day indoors, or lounging in a back yard , he may be telling you that he needs to spend time with you. Time for a  brisk walk and some play time. You should walk your dog and let him see other dogs in the neighborhood at least twice a day. This will help meet his needs for social inter action and exercise, help to relieve dog boredom and may well lessen or alleviate your dog's barking due to boredom.

Dogs Bark When They are Asking for Something

If you dog wants a treat, wants to go in the next broom, get a toy, or anything else he will try a number of different techniques to get you to give him what he wants. If he barks and give him a treat, he will bark more. If he barks and you open the door to  a room, he will bark even louder the next time he wants to go there. Your dog is responding to your actions. If you don't want him to ask you for things by barking then don't respond to barking by relenting and giving him what he is asking for.  If you do give in, you are in essence, training him to bark when he wants something.

Dogs Bark when they are Scared

Dogs need sufficient socialization so that they can be in a variety of places and situations without becoming frightened. This may include the car, the park, the veterinary office, a hotel, the park, your mom's house, almost anyplace. If your dog needs to be better socialized so that he can enjoy those places without fear, a good way to accomplish this is with a reward. When you go to any of those places, give him a treat or some favorite food of his when he arrives. Your dog will start to associate the place with food, ( a good thing) instead of a place to be scared, ( a bad thing). This is fairly simple conditioning training and  very successful with dogs who are scared due to a lack of proper socialization.

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Dogs Bark if They Miss You

If your dog barks when you leave him alone, he is suffering from a type of separation anxiety. To help your dog adjust to the idea of your being away from home while you are at work, shopping or any reason:

Here's a few tips. 

Don't make a big deal out of leaving the house. No calling and hugging good by, loud talking and getting your dog excited. Try leaving without saying a word. Make it a non event.  Try leaving for 5 minutes and returning. Then increase it to ten minutes, then thirty minutes then an hour.  And don't call him when you return. Make it another non event. Just like walking from one room to another.

Another thing you should do right now is provide more exercise so that your dog is tired out by the time you leave. He'll be more interested in a puppy nap that stressing  out about why you aren't in the yard or kitchen with him for awhile

Dogs Bark to Protect You

If your dog barks as a protector, you must learn how to divert his attention or have him respond to your commands. Try having him retrieve a toy when he starts to bark. Or you can teach him to be quiet by word command, the reward being a treat when he listens.  If your dog seemingly always barks at the slightest noise or activity, he needs more exercise and socialization

There are many ways a professional dog trainer can help you control dog barking. These are just a few ideas. Exercise and socialization are perhaps the most common and effective remedy we have seen.  Try spending more time with your dog on a daily basis. Both you and your dog will benefit in the long run.

Dogs 4 Life has more information on dog barking, dog behavior and more care that can be easily found at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html

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