Dealing with Dog's Barking Problem

Dogs bark for many reasons. They bark to express themselves verbally. So it's unreasonable to expect your dog not to bark. What we want to control is excessive and uncontrollable barking from your dog.

One point to remember is that for some dog, excessive barking is a sign of aggressive behavior, which is a very serious and dangerous problem. The method mentioned here does NOT attempt to correct this problem. If there is any possibility that your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, seek help from a professional dog trainer early.

Generally, there are three types of barking:

1. Excited play alert barking
2. Learned barking
3. Boredom barking

Excited Play Alert Barking

This is caused by your dog seeing something but unable to get it, eg. his toys, other dogs, people, other small animals like cats, squirrels, etc.

When a dog displays this type of barking, he is playful and excited, and normally includes play bowing or bouncing around. When play bowing, he puts his head toward the ground and sticks his bottom in the air, his tail wagging, looking cute, wiggly and bouncy.

To deal with this type of barking:

1. Avoid getting your dog too excited. When playing with him, stop the game for a few minutes if he starts to get too excited
2. Resumes the game only after he calms down and stops barking
3. Re-direct his attention to his favorite toy if his barking is stimulated by other types of things like other small animals such as cats, squirrels, etc.
4. Praise him enthusiastically when he does not bark when he is around his distractions

By physically punishing your dog for play alert barking may initially suppress his barking but may run the risk of your dog developing negative associations to whatever he is barking at, increasing the likelihood of developing aggressive behavior.

Learned Barking

Examples of learned barking include barking at you or other people for attention, barking at door to be let in or out, barking at a toy so that you will throw it to him, barking at you or a cabinet for food.

Once your dog achieves his intention by barking, it is highly likely that he will repeat this behavior in the future.

To eliminate this problem, several things need to happen:

1. You must identify the cause of your dog's barking. Stop the cause immediately, eg. stop giving the food to him when he barks at you, etc.
2. Start an obedience program with your dog so that he learns to obey basic commands like "sit", "stay", "come", etc
3. Teach alternative behavior to your dog instead of barking for which he will be rewarded. For example, if he barks to go outside the house:
4. Say "No" to him
5. Gently tag at his leash to stop the barking
6. Tell him "Good Boy" when he stops barking
7. Have your dog "come" and lie down by your side
8. As soon as he does this, praise him and take him outside
9. After several months of training, your dog will learn to come and lie down by your side whenever he wants to go outside

A word of caution: the above training may initially result in increase barking from your dog since in the past he is able to achieve his intention by barking. Remember persistency and consistency will give the result you want.

Boredom Barking

Some dogs tend to bark and whine when they are bored and can go on for hours.

If your dog is showing such behavior, give him plenty of mental and physical stimulation.

Also, consider giving him another dog for company or engaging a dog walker for him.

Proper and regular exercise program and toys, like hunting for hidden treats are all effective remedies.

Recording and playing your voice and your family's member voices whenever you are not around.



And remember to praise your dog abundantly when he does the right thing!