Stop Barking
Dogs bark. It is unrealistic to expect your dogs to be completely silent all the time as it is part of the way they communicate how they are feeling. However, excessive or obsessive barking speaks to a bigger issue. Boredom, Frustration (Caused by arousal), and Anxiety just to name a few. To reduce barking you must address the bigger problem- why does my dog feel this way? If your dog is bored, the answer lies in including more enrichment in your daily routine- this includes going for walks, solving puzzles, working with obedience and playing games. If the behavior is caused by frustration- this can often be seen in dogs that are behind a fence and trying to get to something that they cannot, or on a leash pulling and barking at anything they see. Frustration barking needs to be corrected immediately and redirected. Corrections would be with a properly timed leash pop, a loud sound such as a can of coins shaking, or a bonker. The dog should then immediately be given a direction of what they should be doing instead- for example when you see someone- look at me, or when we walk by someone or a car passes- you need to sit. Once the behavior is performed then the dog can be rewarded.
I was able to successfully redirect my dogs from frustrated barking at cars along the fence line by interrupting it, bringing them inside and giving them a timeout when they barked. When they listened to me and did not chase and bark at cars passing by I immediately went to the refrigerator and gave them a piece of hot dog. Now every time a car goes by all my dogs line up by the refrigerator. 😅
Last but not least, anxiety barking. Now if there are multiple dogs, not only are they feeling anxiety but they are feeling each other's anxiety. This speaks to lack of good socialization and having positive experiences around other people, animals and just everyday things. I would start by pinpointing specific triggers (things that cause the reaction in your dog)- make a list and try to work on your list one thing at a time. Work in a controlled way with a friend or a neighbor and start treating them every time the dog sees someone new. Work at a distance where they are under threshold and not reacting- the closer you get the more of a jackpot you give them. Every time they see a trigger, even if they don't have a direct interaction with the trigger they should be getting a reward (fresh food- raw hot dogs, turkey, chicken, cheese, ham or playtime with a toy if that is what drives them) and get their attention redirected towards you.
As soon as your dog shows signs of stress- such as hard staring, hackles raised, tense or stiff body language- Get in front of them and block their view until they look at you and start to relax. Talk to them in a calm but firm voice, use your leash or collar to hold them and not allow them to push past you. Put the reward right in front of their nose so you can lure their attention. If all else fails, remember you can always bail and create more space between you and the trigger until the dog is back under threshold. If you are calm and assertive, they should feel calm and submissive.
If you are having trouble getting started- of course reach out and I can help coach you through private sessions or with remote training. Contact Now
