Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Bark, Bark! Stop That Barking!

This is my real pet hate. Incessant barking. I have two neighbouring dogs that just will not stop. The first, a Yorkshire Terrier, has more of a yap than a bark but does nothing else. From the moment she leaves her front door to the moment she goes back in, whether the owner is with her in the garden or just lets her out for a few minutes. The owner always expresses amazement at ‘how quiet and well-behaved’ my own dog is.

The other, a large mixed breed, barks about once every minute or so, when he’s left outside, which they do whenever they leave the house and is incredibly annoying when they go out early on a Sunday morning and I’m trying to sleep.

Luckily for me, the larger dog is moving in with the neighbour’s son and I can put up with the terrier, but dogs barking can cause serious neighbourhood issues.

So how do you prevent unnecessary barking? It’s a natural thing for dogs to do. They bark to defend themselves or as a warning. Never encourage your dog to respond to noise or anything he sees outside as this encourages protective behaviour.

If your dog barks, it will be for one of the below reasons:

Isolation/Frustration/Attention

If he’s left alone for long periods, he needs more interaction with the family at other times, such as playing, grooming, petting and walking. While he’s alone, leave him indoors rather than outdoors with interesting toys. Try Kong balls, which can be filled with treats. If your dog isn’t used to being left indoors, then make sure he’s left in one room with a blanket and toys and ask a friend/neighbour to call in midday to let him out for a walk or a play
Make sure he gets at least one daily walk, if not two. However, sometimes walking isn’t enough, he needs other outlets for his energy so try obedience classes and practice the exercises taught for at least 5-10 minutes every day
You could try teaching the dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice often
Some sporting breeds, such as border collies, really need a ‘job’ and are not getting enough interaction and outlets
Some owners find that barking collars work in this case, although the solve the symptom and not the underlying issue, which can result in alternative behavious such as chewing or scratching and digging. The collars are filled with citronella spray, which sprays the dog with a short, sharp burst when they bark. However, this doesn’t work with all dogs. If you do try this method, make sure you have the citronella or the ones that emit a high-pitched noise and not the ones that give off a short static shock, as these can be dangerous for the dog and also less effective as the dog will often choose to endure the pain

Territorial/Protective

This is normally the case if the dog barks when people come to the door or into the house, or when they hear a neighbour, or if they take a threatening stance (stood tall and alert, ears pointed, leaning forward).

Teach your dog a ‘quiet’ command so he knows that you’ve noted his warning. You can do this by allowing him a couple of barks, then say ‘quite’ and interrupt his barking by either shaking a can filled with pennies, throw a soft toy at him or squirt a water gun at his nose. This is to interrupt him, not scare him. When he quietens, tell him ‘good quiet’ and give him a small treat as reward.

Desensitise the dog to the situation. For example, if he always barks as someone rings the doorbell, teach him this is a good thing and that good things happen when it happens. Ask someone to ring the doorbell and reward him for obeying your quiet or sit command with a small treat.

Neuter/spay the dog to decrease territorial issues

Fear

Your dog may just be afraid if he barks at loud noises, fireworks or storms. In this case, the ears will be back and the posture will be leaning backward with tail low.

Use anti-anxiety methods or desensitisation, speak to your vet or a behaviourist

Hide the noise by putting on the television or radio. Close curtains or doors so he can’t see outside. Distract your dog with toys or a treat and always act calmly towards him, speaking in a soothing voice

Separation Anxiety

This is likely if the dog barks whilst you’re out and can be the most difficult to remedy. The dog is also likely to follow you around the house and behave frantically when you arrive home and anxiously when you are preparing to leave

It can also occur if there has been a recent change, such as a spell in boarding kennels, a death of another pet or family member, moving to a new home or a stay in a shelter if they were lost for a while

See earlier article Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

Never use barking collars for separation anxiety or fear, as it is an aversive punishment method that only makes the situation worse.

In the meantime, let your neighbours know that you’re working on the problem. Once your neighbours know that you’re taking steps to sort it out, many will be very understanding and may even be able to help.

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Jan 06, 2008 | 0 | Care & Training