Barking Behaviour
March 20, 2010 by Dog Trainer Filed under Barking Dogs
Barking is normal behaviour for dogs but habitual barking is the
bane of dog owners everywhere. Barking dogs are the most common
sources of environmental pollution in urban society and no other
dog-related problem causes local authorities so much time and
frustration. So, what can we do?
Perhaps one of the reasons that early man first encouraged wild
dogs to remain around the camp was their ability to alert people
to danger and this is still one of the reasons for many families
adding a dog to the household today. However, dogs that
constantly bark are a nuisance to those who must live around
them. And they are not good watchdogs. A dog that barks at every
little disturbance in the neighbourhood will not bring the
neighbours running when thieves are carrying the family silver
out the door!
Habitual barking can start from a number of causes such as lack
of training, boredom and anxiousness. Bored dogs are often
diggers and chewers as well as barkers and this should tell the
owner that the dog is simply looking for a way to fill in its
day. Active dogs are likely to be the ones that continually run
up and down the fence barking at the dog next door or passers-by
in the street.
Although a dog may be required to fulfil the role of a ‘watch’
dog it needs to be taught that unnecessary barking is not
allowed. When the new puppy is brought home it must be educated
that barking at the neighbours cat, the birds in the trees,
children playing, or passers-by in the street is inappropriate.
Very young puppies do not have any sense of territory so barking
at intruders is unlikely behaviour in dogs under nine months
old. Once a puppy does start to give the alarm that someone is
at the door or coming down the front path, it must be taught to
cease barking when you respond to the disturbance.
When puppies bark they should be disciplined verbally. A good
method is to say ‘Aaaah – quiet’. When the puppy quietens it
should be praised. The ‘aaah’ should be given as a harsh,
guttural sound which will distract the puppy from barking and
gain it’s attention. The command ‘quiet’ should be given in a
firm, clear and definite tone. It will quickly learn to stop
barking on the command ‘quiet’.
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