Understanding And Reducing Causes For Barking
Understanding And Reducing Causes For Barking
Many dog owners know the struggles of excessive barking and understanding why your dog is barking so much. Excessive barking can be very irritating but could be a sign or lead to further behavioral issues for your pup. In this blog we will help you identify your dog’s triggers and hopefully help get the barking under control.
Identifying the source of Barking
Identifying the source of your dog’s barking is the first step to addressing the issue. The most common cause for dogs barking is environmental along with the dogs upbringing. These are three good starting points for identifying reasons for the excessive barking:
1) Boredom: In many cases, dogs bark just because they are bored and not mentally stimulated enough throughout the day. It is important to mentally or physically stimulate your dog daily, this can be done through things such as walks, mentally interactive toys, and playtime.
2) Outside Noises: Outside noises can be many things such as: barking dogs, car doors slamming, cars passing by or even sirens from safety vehicles. Your dogs barking at these things is very common for a ton of dog owners. For these noises if possible combat them with things such as a sound machine, television, or music. These things will dull the noises for your dog and help put them more at ease.
3) Demand Barking: Barking for your attention, for you to play or engage with them. This is seen as a pushy behavior and should not be rewarded. If your dog is barking at you for attention and you give in, your dog just learned that the barking works, leading them to continue to do the behavior.
4) Internal Issues: Internal issues are more rare but are important in looking into if the other methods of slowing the barking haven’t been effective. These may include pain, sickness, anxiety, or even fear. If you notice the barking accompanied by other worrisome signs, I would recommend contacting your veterinarian. If your pup seems normal, it could be caused by separation anxiety or just anxiety about being home alone. I would recommend looking for a reputable pet sitter or local doggie daycare. This will help put your dogs mind at ease along with exercise. In some cases, it is not possible to remove outside noise and that is where training can come in to get this issue under control and have your peaceful home back.
Using Distractions for Excessive Barking
1) Using A Treat: Distract your dog with a treat but be careful to make sure you are not just rewarding the unwanted behavior. Timing is key. Reward your pup for paying attention to you and not barking at the external factors. Using the words “Settle” or “Quiet” are the most commonly used words for this command.
2) Playing with your pup can be a great way to ease their mind. Active play with your pup with things such as “tug” or “fetch” can be great ways to put the pup’s attention to something else.
3) Training: Teaching your dog how to settle down on a place object. Holding an obedience command to work through the trigger of the barking.
Whichever factor is causing the unwanted barking it’s important not to punish or raise your voice, as this could potentially worsen the problem.
If these issues persist feel free to reach out to a professional trainer at Off Leash K9 Training In Charlotte North Carolina.
Email: [email protected]
Phone or text: (704)266-1392