Dog Barking Training
Barking is a natural canine behavior. It's also the number one complaint against dog owners. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect a dog to stop barking completely, just to make your neighbors happy. However, with determination, patience and a bit of time, you can get excessive barking under control.
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Why Dogs Bark
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Excessive barking can be a difficult habit to break because it is so rewarding for the dog. Natural defenders of hearth and home, every time your dog barks at the mailman or a person passing by and that person leaves without entering the home, the dog believes it has scared an intruder away. This encourages the dog to bark even more. Dogs also bark to get your attention. They have learned that barking while you are on the phone or trying to watch TV or talking to your friends will get you to stop what you are doing and pay attention to the dog. Negative attention is better than none at all. There are some dogs who just enjoy barking. They let out a resounding "woof" at anything and everything, much like the canine version of a person who loves the sound of his own voice. Whatever the reason, a dog that barks unnecessarily can be corrected.
Nuisance Barking
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According to the Humane Society, a "nuisance barker" is "...a dog that brays, barks, howls, or cries continuously and / or incessantly for a period of 10 minutes or barks intermittently for 30 minutes or more...unless at the time the dog is barking or making noise, a person is trespassing or threatening to trespass upon the private property in or upon which the dog is situated." In cities throughout the United States, dog owners are subject to fines for allowing a dog to bark excessively within the city limits.
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How to Make Them Stop
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The following method is fast, effective and humane. It uses water as a deterrent. Most dogs hate water, especially in their faces. Fill a squirt gun or spray bottle with water and be ready. You need to be able to give the dog an immediate response.
When the dog begins barking for the wrong reason, say "Quiet!" or "Hush!" and while he is still barking, give him a couple of squirts of water. The dog will stop. If you wait for the dog to stop barking before squirting the water it will confuse him. If the dog moves away from you, move with him. Every time the dog barks needlessly, say "Quiet!" and squirt him with water.
When the dog is being quiet, reassure him with a friendly scratch. At first, your dog won't know why he's being punished; only that he is. He needs to know you're still friends.Repeat as often as necessary for 2 to 3 days. It is not unusual for the dog to end up getting "the water treatment" between 5 and 10 times before the message starts to sink in. The golden rule of dog training is to be determined and consistent. You cannot reasonably expect a dog to learn if a behavior is corrected one time but ignored the next. Eventually, every time you say, "Quiet!" your dog will expect a squirt of water and will stop barking. Once this has happened, you won't need the water anymore.
This method is very effective for most dogs, with the possible exception of Shelties and Labradors, who love the water and seem to find this a fun game. For "reluctant learners" you may need to add something to the water to make it a little less fun- like vinegar or lemon juice. If you do this, be careful not to squirt the dog in the eyes.
Training Tips
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Do not throw rocks or cans at your dog to discourage him. Do not turn the garden hose on your dog. Hitting your dog only teaches her to fear you and is ineffective as a training tool. You dog should see you as the source of all the good things in her world. Dogs are pack animals. Being left alone and isolated from her pack (you) is unnatural for her. Try to keep her with you whenever possible.
Have Patience
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If your dog's barking has already become a long-standing habit, don't expect a miracle to happen overnight. It takes many repetitions to replace an old habit with a new one. If you can stay consistent with your training, your dog will develop new barking habits. You can enjoy the peace and quiet, sleeping peacefully under the watchful eyes of a real watchdog.
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