Dog Owner Information

Excessive Barking

It's a fact of life that dogs will bark. Some barking is for a purpose. Other barking is a behaviour problem.

Barking that is a behaviour problem may result from loneliness or boredom. From what my friend told me, it appears that loneliness is probably the problem. This dog is housed outside and left alone for long periods of time. When it barks, its owners call to it to stop barking and scold it. In so doing, they are providing the attention the dog seeks. It has discovered that if it barks, the owners respond and the dog considers it a barking game.

When loneliness is the cause of incessant barking, giving the dog more attention may solve the problem. In a family situation, encourage family members to take turns playing with the dog and taking it for walks. When the dog is left alone, provide toys for it to amuse itself.

Sometimes more attention won't solve the problem. If a dog has developed a habit of barking, fill some cans with pebbles. When the dog barks, throw a can near it and say "quiet" in a firm voice. The purpose of throwing a can is not to hit the dog, but to startle it. If the barking resumes, throw another can and say "quiet." Remove the cans as quickly and unobtrusively as possible so the dog does not consider them a toy. As the dog catches on, your verbal command "quiet" should stop the barking.

If the cans do not work, use a squirt gun and squirt the dog's legs and back accompanied by a firm "quiet" command.

Please remember — any action to deter a dog from barking must be made while the dog is barking. After-the-fact corrective action only confuses a dog. Use a strong, firm voice. Avoid yelling, which can be stressful to a dog.

Dogs housed inside who are left alone may suffer from separation anxiety. Some may show their fear and resentment by barking. The ideal way to prevent this problem is to train a puppy to be left alone. Similar training can be applied to an older dog, but more time and patience may be required. Put the puppy in a room by itself. Say "quiet" and leave the room. If the puppy barks, return, say "quiet" and leave again. If the puppy is quiet for a brief period, return and praise it. Extend your time away from the puppy and, upon returning, praise it for being quiet. With an older dog, leaving the house or apartment may be necessary because the dog may pick up your scent and is sensitive to familiar noises.

Some dogs bark to protect their territory and a "bark/reward" cycle may be established. A dog barks at a letter carrier when the mail is delivered. The dog is "rewarded" when the letter carrier leaves. This bark/reward may lead the dog to bark at other service people, neighbours and passersby. For some households this can become a problem.

The bark/reward cycle should be broken. If possible, introduce the dog to people who come to the home regularly. Short conversations with delivery or service people, with the dog present, may solve the problem.

Another solution is a firm "no" or "quiet" when the dog begins barking. If the dog responds by being quiet, praise it briefly. Remember, you have to be present when the dog is barking to give the "quiet" command.

An example of barking for an identifiable purpose is a dog's bark in an invitation to play. This is accompanied by body language — tail-wagging, crouching with the head lowered and hindquarters raised. The dog usually stops barking when its invitation is answered and play begins. If the invitation goes unanswered, the dog gives up and generally stops barking.

A dog may bark to threaten intruders. This is usually a more menacing bark and may be accompanied by growling. The hair on the dog's back and tail may stand on end. Depending upon the situation, you may need to remove the dog to a more secure location or quietly reassure it.

A dog will also bark to warn other dogs or people of danger. This is usually a deep, repeated bark. The dog's tail is motionless and lowered to the ground. The forelimbs may be widely spaced on the ground. The barking generally continues until the source of danger is removed or the dog is taken to safety.

Sometimes pain or illness triggers barking. If a well-behaved dog in its usual environment begins barking or creating other forms of vocalization, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order.

A final thought
Enlisting the cooperation of each family member is important in controlling a dog's barking, as well as in all other aspects of training. Verbal commands and expectations for your dog's behaviour must be consistent if you are to be effective.