Stop Dog Barking Before It Becomes A Problem
March 2, 2009
It can be one of the most frustrating things for dog owners: A dog that will just not stop barking. You just want peace and quiet, but the dog on the other hand couldn’t care less, right?
Well – it’s not like the dog is barking on purpose just to upset you. You’ve got to start becoming more aware of the “dog’s barking trends”.
Pay attention to when, where, and at what the dog is barking. Usually, there is an obvious reason- an unfamiliar smell, person, or sounds are examples.
Usually, the dog is trying to protect his and, thus your, property.
Try to be prepared for these moments when the dog feels intruded upon. For example, if the neighbor and his loud truck come home from work at the same time every day.
Right before the neighbor typically comes home, you should put a leash on your dog. As the sound of his truck nears, tug on the leash so that the dog understands you are next to him. Sometimes it helps to comfort him by petting.
In fact, if your dog is an outdoor dog, keeping a squirt gun in hand may be a good idea. Before your dog really gets going with his barking, give him a reminder squirt with the water gun. Soon he’ll associate the barking behavior with that unpleasant consequence.
Don’t forget to also reward your dog when he behaves. A nice treat and a lot of belly rubs when he does not bark show that he is doing the right thing.
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