STOP DOG BARKING - Training TipsThe Alarm Barker Most people want their dogs to let them know when someone has stepped onto their property. It only becomes a problem if the dog does not settle down afterwards. By teaching your dog to bark and shush on cue, you'll have an "on/off switch" that's useful in these situations. So invite three friends to come over for a speak-and-shush party and within an hour you will have the beginnings of a well-trained barker and shusher! Here's how to do
it: Now, to get him to shush, have your friends knock on the door, say "shush", and waggle your dog's most favorite tasty treat in front of his nose. Once he sniffs the food he will shush. Now give him the treat as a reward. Repeat this many times and your dog will realize how much fun it is to speak on request &endash; and how it is even more rewarding to shush on request! If excessive barking continues, even after training your dog to shush, you can combine your training with a citronella spray collar. The Owner-Absent Barker If your dog barks because he is bored and stressed when left at home alone, you should teach your dog to tolerate and even enjoy your absence. Firstly, you must teach your dog to spend time alone when you are home. Most people make the mistake of spending all the time they are home with their dog at their side. While this may seem to be a kind and loving act, it only serves to make matters worse. Your dog will become accustomed to constant companionship and be more likely to fall apart when you leave. Instead, teach your dog to enjoy quiet moments by himself while you are home, so he may do so more confidently when you are not. Frequently and for short periods confine your dog to a tie-down (tie your dog's leash to a table leg, door knob, chair leg, etc. and have him lie down) right near you and give him a well-stuffed chewtoy to occupy his time. Gradually work up to teaching your dog to accept being on a tie-down even if you leave the room. Once he is comfortable in this manner, confine him to another room or a crate for short periods of time. Be sure to provide a well-stuffed chewtoy at all times. Training the Owner-Absent Barker in this way will take some time, but eventually your dog will be comfortable being left alone for longer periods of time &endash; such as when you are at work, shopping, out at a movie, etc. A barking deterrent &endash; such as the citronella spray collar &endash; is also an ideal aid to use while you're in the training process and even if the barking continues despite your best efforts. The Attention-Seeking Barker If your dog is barking for your attention, simply teach him it will have the opposite effect. When you are relaxed and in a good mood, tie your dog to a secure spot in the house and get a good book to read or turn on the TV. Stand or sit next to your dog and ignore him. When he barks, ignore him and turn away. When he is quiet, even for a moment, turn towards him, but don't interact yet. Your dog will soon realize barking means he sees your back and quiet means you face him. When he settles down for about 30 seconds, approach and praise and maybe offer a piece of kibble or a small treat. Repeat the process many times throughout the day until your dog gets the idea that barking is an effective way to get you to turn off, and that being quiet gets you to interact with him. Another useful method for attention-seeking barkers is to teach your dog to bark and shush on cue. See The Alarm Barker section. If you are still having trouble with this barking behaviour, continue your training and try a citronella spray collar. The Yard Barker Barking dogs are one of the most common complaints of suburban residents. Typically, a dog left outside will alert to the unlimited supply of visual and auditory stimuli. Each noise and person or animal passing by is likely to get your dog into a barking frenzy. Which is not likely to help you to make friends with your neighbors! Leaving your dog alone in the yard may also encourage him to indulge in other activities you will find inappropriate, i.e. digging or escaping. More importantly, he is vulnerable to a number of dangers, such as being stolen, poisoned, or hurt by an animal that comes into the yard. Dogs are usually relegated to the yard because they are not housetrained or chewtoy trained. If that is the case, housetrain him and chewtoy-train him and bring him into your home! Giving your dog a few well-stuffed chewtoys is the easiest and most effective solution. This way he has something to think about other than barking. A well-stuffed chewtoy will keep your dog busy for an hour or more (this means no time for barking). In fact, put his food bowl away and only feed him from his chewtoys. If you must leave your dog outside, chewtoy-train him in his doghouse or favorite lounging spot, and use a citronella spray collar if barking continues. A Note About Separation Anxiety: Some dogs bark when left alone because they suffer from separation anxiety &endash; a serious behavioral disorder where the dog becomes quite fearful, anxious and upset &endash; even destructive &endash; when the owner leaves. In dogs with separation anxiety, barking is just a symptom of a deeper problem that must be addressed. If you think your dog fits this description, or has been diagnosed by an animal behaviorist or veterinarian, we recommend dedicated one-on-one training with a professional dog trainer who has experience in this area.
|
|
|