EXCESSIVE BARKING
by Pia Silvani, Director of Pet Training and Behavior Counseling
St. Hubert’s Dog Training School

Barking, even though it is perfectly natural behavior for dogs, results in more complaints than any other nuisance associated with dog ownership.

Persistent barking can drive owners, as well as neighbors, up the wall. Some breeds will naturally bark more than others due to their genetic predisposition, so owners must be aware of what their dogs were originally bred for and avoid putting them in situations which could elicit excessive barking. For example, don’t tie a dog outdoors or give him free run of your yard if he was bred for guarding work. If your dog is nervous or overly excitable, don’t stimulate him to the point where it is difficult to control his barking.

REASONS DOGS BARK:
attention-seeking, alarm barking, territorial barking, play-barking, greeting barks, nervous/threatening barks, over-stimulus barking, boredom barking.

1. Owners complain that their dog has a barking "problem" which cannot be eliminated. In essence, if the owner cannot get his dog to cease barking when told, the owner has a control problem, not a dog with a barking problem.
2. Many owners make the dog’s barking worse by paying attention to the dog whenever he is barking and giving him very little attention when he is quiet. The dog now learns how to get his owner’s attention, even if it is with undesirable behavior.
3. Inconsistent punishment on the part of the owner only confuses the dog. Sometimes the dog is allowed to bark, while at other times he is punished for barking. No wonder dogs think of their owners as being unpredictable and confusing!
4. Owners will usually try to "outshout" the dog in an attempt to quiet him. This is thrilling to the dog who now has a "barking" partner! Shouting at a barking dog only makes matters worse.
5. Some owners inadvertently praise their dogs for barking. This happens when the owner strokes the dog and tells him in a sweet voice to "Calm down, its O.K." From the dog’s perspective, he is being rewarded for barking. Even worse, I have had owners tell me the only way to get the dog to be quiet is to shake the treat box, which causes the dog to leave the front door for a reward. What the owner is accomplishing with the last two methods is misguided praise for inappropriate barking. In no time at all, the dog learns that the owner is pleased with his verbal outbursts.

Most dogs are situational barkers and bark only as a result of specific stimuli. Rather than allowing the barking, or, even worse, relinquishing the dog due to uncontrolled barking, an owner must determine what stimulates the dog to bark and train the dog accordingly.

First, rather than embarking on a training program to stop all barking, the owner should first take a good look at the dog’s lifestyle. Most dogs who are offenders of the barking crime usually lead very isolated lives, being left alone for long hours during the day and confined to either the backyard or the house. Dogs need to get daily mental and physical stimulation. This enriches the dog’s spirit as well as the relationship between dog and owner. Oftentimes, a half hour walk, a game of fetch and some obedience training in the morning, as well as a juicy bone when the owner leaves for the day will be enough to keep the dog content while you are away.

If the owner is absent and the dog is barking all day, he should not be left outdoors. If he must be left outdoors, do not allow him to run free in the yard either on a trolley or a chain. Instead, install a pen which is not visible from the street to reduce distractions that might promote barking. If he is kept indoors, play soft music or leave the television on to calm the dog. Try to eliminate distractions by unplugging the phone, etc.

You must teach your dog to be "quiet" on cue. Remember, dogs don’t understand what our words mean unless you teach them. Alarm barking is fine, but the barking shouldn’t continue if it’s unnecessary. To teach "quiet", have a family member ring the doorbell to elicit barking. Stand by the door with your dog and wait for the barking to cease. As soon as your dog stops barking, say "quiet" and reward with a treat. Practice pairing the word "quiet" with the behavior (silence). Your dog should begin to look to you for a cue when the doorbell rings. Remember, do not shout "QUIET!" Remain calm when your dog is barking so he picks up on your behavior.

You might also want to consider hiring a pet sitter to come in on a daily basis to walk the dog and work on his obedience training. General obedience training is an important role in the treatment of this unwanted behavior. You just start to teach your dog to sit, down, stay and be quiet when told. A dog who is under the control of his owner, and respects what his owner says, will listen to a verbal "quiet" much quicker than a dog who has had no obedience training.

Training provides a means for owners to effectively communicate with their dogs. Proper communication is essential in order to allow the dog to understand how the owner wants him to behave. Before you know it, your dog is listening, content, quiet and this is the most enjoyable facet of sharing your life with your best friend.

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