Barking is one of the most common complaints of dog owners and their neighbours!
Finding out the reason why your dog is barking is the first step in attempting to solve the problem.
- Barking serves as a territorial warning signal to other dogs and family members.
- Dogs may vocalise when separated from their pack or family members.
- Barking also occurs during times of anxiety, or frustration or in the presence of a particular stimulus (noises, people, dogs).
- Medical problems can also contribute to vocalisation, especially in the older dog.
- Your dog may be barking at birds or possums that live in your backyard or to get your attention.
Chances are good for most barking problems. When trying to resolve barking problems, the motivation for the barking behaviour is an important component. Some stimuli are so strong that it will be difficult to stop the barking behaviour. You need sufficient time to implement the correct training.
What can I do to correct my dog’s barking problem?
The treatment program must be based on the type of problem, your household, the immediacy of the situation, and the type and level of control that you require. A good behavioural history is important to determine cause, motivation and potential reinforcing stimuli for the barking behaviour.
Treatment plans need to consider the following:
Ensure that your dog is not being rewarded inadvertently. Some owners in an attempt to calm their dog down, will actually encourage the barking by giving attention, play, food or affection.
Sometimes the home environment can be modified so that the dog is kept away from the stimuli (sounds and sights) that cause barking.
Exposure might be minimised by confining the dog to a crate, or room away from doors and windows or covering windows so that the dog cannot look outside.
Additionally privacy fencing may be helpful for dogs outdoors. Dogs that bark when left alone outdoors, may have to be kept indoors except when the owner is available to supervise.
Trigger sounds such as doorbells or telephones that might have become conditioned stimuli for barking can be worked on to reteach your dog the appropriate way to behave when these sounds are heard.
Increasing interactive play periods and exercise, crate and confinement training, halter training and obedience classes may need to be implemented before bark control training can begin.
Once the owner has sufficient control with training, it may then be possible to begin a retraining program in the presence of the stimuli (people, other dogs, noises) that lead to barking.
Pets that are barking for other reasons (fear, separation anxiety, or compulsive disorders) will require treatment for the underlying problem via a behavioural consultation with our nurses and vets.
Punishment is seldom effective in the control and correction of barking problems. Excessive levels of punishment can increase anxiety and further aggravate many forms of barking, while mild punishment merely rewards the behaviour by providing attention.
Bark-activated collars can be useful when barking does not occur in a predictable location but this is not an effective treatment, only a bandaid solution. The reason/motivation for the barking must be addressed and a treatment plan worked out for your dog.
Most importantly, bark collars only work when they are on the dog. Most dogs will learn to distinguish when the collar is on and when it is off. When they are not wearing the collar, most dogs will bark.
If you are experiencing a barking problem with your dog, please call us to arrange to speak with our behaviour nurse.