Ask the trainer: stop your dog barking

This week's column covers a topic that is common amongst dog owners and their neighbours: How to stop unwanted barking?

Dogs bark to communicate but excessive barking occurs due to over excitement when alerting us that there is something new in our territory, due to boredom or because the dog suffers behavioural issues such as attention seeking or separation anxiety.

Territorial barking is used as a warning. Our dog's instinctively alert us when people enter our property. However your dog should only be permitted to bark a limited amount of times and then return to a calm state ready to greet your visitors. To achieve this first acknowledge your dog's alert with praise, this tells your dog that you are aware of the new arrival.

Next redirect your dog by asking for behaviours like quiet and sit.

If your dog's barking is triggered by passers-by on the street and you are unable to monitor their barking due to being away from the home the simple solution is to block the view. If your dog cannot see what it perceives as a threat there is no reason to bark, Perhaps your neighbours will appreciate that something is out of the ordinary when your dog does bark and maybe more likely to investigate.

Boredom barking occurs when dogs have no other way of releasing their pent up energy. Our dogs require both physical and mental stimulation in their day. This barking can be resolved by closely looking at your dog's environment. Do they have access to stimuli when you are not with them such as toys and bones? Are the able to free range in a secure back yard or are they tethered? Are the receiving enough exercise? Are they being asked for trained behaviours to reinforce training? Answering these questions honestly will highlight areas that you may need to work on.

Attention barking stems from your dog learning very quickly that barking will get a reaction from you, negative or positive attention is simply attention and your dog will happily take it.

When it comes to the solution it is one that many owners struggle with _ walk away. The most severe punishment you can give your dog is ignoring it.

Remove yourself from your dog whenever it barks for your attention and only reward your dog when you re-enter the room and it remains silent.

Unfortunately owners may not be aware of separation anxiety when barking occurs while they are not home. A knock on the door or pleasant note in the mailbox maybe all it takes to get your frustration of living next door to "that barking dog'' resolved.

PAW POINT OF THE WEEK:

What your dog hears when you yell at it to stop barking is simply an invitation to heighten the excitement; why else would you be "barking'' too?

Contact me for the chance to have your question selected for publication at nadines@dogguru.co.nz for further information on Dog Guru visit www.dogguru.co.nz