Barking for a dog is a means of communication with the owner, with the outside world, with dogs and other animals. But such communication, of course, must fit into the living conditions next to a person – no one will be happy to bark at 4 in the morning or howl at the moon at midnight. How to deal with an overly sociable dog? First, you need to find out the reasons for the barking.
Causes of constant barking of a dog There can be many reasons for a dog barking – the range of emotions and feelings in a dog is vast:
A dog can bark with fear. A large dog will not bark in vain at a stranger. It will endure the antics of a stranger to the last, without giving out its emotions in any way. But the little dog barks loudly at the first appearance of an unknown creature – this is how fear manifests itself. This is a normal reaction to an unclear stimulus: in this way, the dog warns that it is serious and better not to touch it. Here tactics work to anticipate the attack.
A dog, an adult or a puppy, can bark with resentment – when the owner leaves, so the pet informs that he is bad and that he is waiting and offended.
Lai is a manifestation of restless behavior. Unknown sounds, objects, or creatures cause interest in the dog and concern for himself and the owner’s safety.
When the dog is alone, barking can be triggered. If a person, left alone, can occupy himself, the dog is left with nothing but barking or damage to furniture and shoes.
The cause of excitement can be stress and joy – for example, the joy of meeting the owner or any other pleasant dog object or person.
The reason for barking is often aggression – before attacking, the dog warns with barking or growling.
As a highly social creature, a dog can feel jealous when the owner shows excessive attentionto another animal from the pet’s point of view.
Growling or howling may be due to painful sensations. The dog may growl, whine, or howl when touched on a painful part of the body or simply when it feels sore. It happens that a dog can bark for no reason. So the pet can signal that he wants to go to the toilet or that the bowl has run out of water and the dog is thirsty. Dog barks at home Before you start correcting your dog’s behavior, you need to determine the cause of the arousal. Activities with the dog should begin from the first day of arrival in the house. The upbringing, training, or correction of the dog’s already established behavior should be systematic: you cannot first prohibit some behavior and then allow it. If a dog is scolded for barking at an intercom or phone call, but praise and encouragement for barking at any sounds outside the door, the dog will not understand what they want from it, and the behavior may worsen. To wean a dog to bark and jump for joy at the sight of a person, you must: • Show calmness and not react to a violent pet reaction. If this does not help, you need to push the dog away from you gently or go to another room. • When the pet calms down, you can call him or walk up to him and pet. If the dog starts barking and jumping excitedly again, abruptly stop stroking or playing with the pet. The main thing here is to be systematic so that the dog understands that it will receive affection or play from a person only if it is calm.
What to do if a dog barks when left alone Show a little more patience and endurance here. So, the actions of the owner’s dog should be as follows:
In the room, leaving the dog alone in the room, mark when the dog shows anxiety and barking (let it be conditionally 15 minutes). A little later, repeat – go out and leave the dog alone in the room. But go inside 10-20 seconds before the dog starts barking (i.e., 20 seconds before 15 minutes pass). All these maneuvers should be carried out until the dog sits quietly for an hour or more.
Similarly, train the dog, only this time leaving the apartment on the site, leaving the dog alone in the apartment.
When the dog has mastered the staircase stage well, you need to leave the entrance – the fact is that the pet feels the owner very well even in the entrance. Of course, this training should be constant, and after 3-5 weeks, the dog will get used to it alone. It must be remembered that the dog needs a good walk – if the dog is tired with the walk, he is unlikely to be interested in the activity outside the door. If your dog barks out of boredom when leaving the house, remember to leave a toy for the dog to do while waiting for the owner.
What to do if a dog barks at everyone First of all, you need to remember that it is unnecessary to scold, hiss, or shout at the dog when it barks excitedly – such behavior can only be achieved to excite the dog further. You can teach your dog to follow the command, “Quiet!” When the dog starts barking, calmly and loudly say “Quiet!”, Offering the toy. When the dog stops barking and is distracted by the game, you can reward it with a treat. In general, the game is the reinforcement of the correct behavior, but the team should be associated with maximum pleasure.
It happens that the dog does not react to the game, then you can act more harshly – when the dog begins to bark, after the command “Quiet!” clench the jaw slightly until the dog is quiet as soon as the dog is silent, praise, and give a treat at the same time. Over time, the command’s execution will become a reflex, and the dog will be obediently silent. Distraction is a good way to stop barking by turning your pet’s attention to a toy or treat. Another method to stop undesirable behavior is grab the dog by the ears at the base at the moment of extreme excitement, squeeze and “rub” slightly when the dog stops barking, praises and offers a treat.
Behavior correction: basic parenting methods Correcting an adult dog’s behavior is not only more difficult than training a puppy, but it can also take much longer. The main thing to remember in raising a dog is systematic training and patience. If the behavior correction methods described earlier did not give results. Youcan switch to more radical behavior correction methods after obligatory consultation with a veterinarian and a dog handler.
Additional ways These methods include food supplements that have been impregnated with various drugs, castration (sterilization), sedatives (sedatives), corrective collars, or cutting of the vocal cords. • Any food supplement, be it drops or tablets, must be prescribed by your veterinarian. Corrective collars – electroshock, ultrasonic, or spray – can be used after consulting a dog handler. • The most radical methods of behavior correction – sterilization and cutting of the vocal cords – are performed only in a veterinary clinic and under general anesthesia. Sedatives Sedatives include various drops and herbal infusions, tablets, and capsules. • Nutritional supplements consist of herbal infusions and can be used for long courses. Still, always after consultation with a veterinarian – each drug is individual, and the body reacts differently in different dogs. • All sedatives – additives and medications – have a sedative effect. Separately, there are collars impregnated with concentrated sedatives. The principles of aromatherapy work here – when the dog is in a calm environment, the collar must be removed to enjoy the walk and run. Collars “Antilla” Corrective collars can have several options:
Electronic collars. When the vocal cords vibrate, the collar shoots a small but sensitive and unpleasant shock. For the electroshock collar to be effective, it is important to put it on correctly – the electrodes on the box must fit snugly against the dog’s skin. If you do not remove the hair, the dog will feel weakly the shock, which will only anger him.
Ultrasonic collar. It works on the same principle as the electroshock one – when the ligaments vibrate, the collar produces impulses, only not current, but in the ultrasonic range.
Collar spray. Also, when the ligaments vibrate, it shoots out aromatic compounds. Such a collar is harmless to the dog’s health, but the smell is unpleasant for the pet – most often in such collars, there are citrus aromas, sharp and strong.
Cutting the vocal cords The most radical way to get rid of barking is surgery. Cutting the vocal cords is a serious surgical procedure that often leads to complications and even the dog’s death. Incorrectly or inaccurately performed surgery can lead to swelling of the larynx, due to which the dog cannot breathe. • In addition to the worst – fatal outcome, cutting the ligaments can lead to disability of the dog, as swelling of the larynx can cause breathing problems. • Such an operation, of course, will solve a “loud” problem. Still, it can lead to a change in the dog’s behavior and not for the better – a dog without a means of communication can become cowardly or, conversely, aggressive. There can be many complications from surgery because the operation takes place under general anesthesia. The anesthesia itself can lead to various chronic diseases of internal organs. The operation also leaves many extremely painful scars on the larynx: the dog will not be able to eat properly for a long time and will experience constant pain until the scars heal. Before deciding on an operation, the dog owner needs to think very well and consult a veterinarian and a dog handler.
Dog handler tips It is better to start dog training with the socialization of the puppy. But if the dog is already an adult, you need to be patient and follow some rules:
All commands must be pronounced calmly and only once. You cannot repeat the command several times. Otherwise, the dog will remember that it can be done the third time and will ignore the owner’s demands.
Correctly and quickly executed command or termination of action should be encouraged instantly. Each owner should choose the encouragement on his own, based on the characteristics of his pet – it will not necessarily be food or a toy. Some dogs only need stroking and caressing. After the pet has learned the command and will follow it unquestioningly, the reward can be gradually removed.
Training should be short-lived, but daily. Only systematic training will bring results. It is not only the frequency of classes that is important, but also constant repetitive actions, without variations – there should be no deviations from the execution of commands.
You can not get up and shout at the pet. Any excitement or excitement of the dog owner is transmitted to the pet and can greatly increase its excitement.
Almost any dog behavior problem can be solved with care and patience. If the dog owner cannot cope with the pet, you need to contact a professional dog handler, but remember that the dog handler does not teach the dog, but the owner. Together, you can achieve amazing results.