Help! Why Does My Dog Bark!!
Dogs bark for various reasons and it is one of the many forms that dogs use to communicate not only with us, but also other species, including other dogs. Some owners are pleased that their dog will bark to alert them when someone is at the door or if the dog needs something. However, barking can become excessive and starts to be displayed in different situations. The important point is to find out why your dog is barking and then you have the basis to start to address this behaviour.
Why does your dog bark:
- There is someone or something that could be a danger – this is known as territorial barking.
- There are lots of noises outside and/or sights – this is known as alarm barking.
- Barking at objects or food that the dog wants – this is known as attention seeking barking.
- Barking is heard in the garden by your dog and it responds by joining – this is known as social barking.
There are many more reasons why your dog will bark the above are just some.
Barking can often be reinforced by outside stimuli. For example, let’s look at a typical situation:
The postie delivers your post each day. Your dog barks when the postie arrives and then stops when the postie is out of sight. In your dog’s eyes his/her barking has made the person go away. The result is the behaviour has been reinforced by the person leaving and the dog will then produce this behaviour again and again and again.
To help reduce the barking:
- Inside the home: prevent access to key windows that allow the dog to view people/dogs/cats walking passed.
- Outside in the garden: prevent your dog being outside in the garden on his own. Have many training sessions outside in the garden so that your dog gets used to the sights and sounds that surround his neighbourhood. If your dog is barking because he/she is excited then teach your dog impulsive control through obedience training.
- Greeting: teach your dog to get a toy when visitors or family members arrive. Greet away from the from door and/or garden gate.
- Barking for attention: make it clear to your dog that you are not going to interact with him/her – walk out of the room, reward your dog when he/she is not barking, teach your dog the quiet command.