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At Home Mommy : Resources For Stay at Home and Work at Home Mommies
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Dealing With Excessive Barking:
A dog's bark can mean any number of things: hello, go away, what was that,
pay attention to me, etc. Some dogs have a bark that is as bad as a
bite. These are the dogs that are more vocal than we - or our
neighbors - think is acceptable. If your dog seems to bark
excessively, the first step in stopping her behavior is to identify
the reasons for it.
Every Dog Is Different
Some dog breeds tend to bark more than others. Beagles and certain
toy breeds have a reputation for being "yappy." It is a trait they
were bred for; a beagle barks constantly to alert the hunter as to
the location of the prey, and toy dogs often served as early
"invader alarms." Yet, even within breeds, some individuals are just
more "talkative" than others. Some owners unknowingly train their
dogs to bark excessively. Anytime you reward your dog for barking,
you are encouraging her to repeat the behavior.
Reward Good Behavior
The reward doesn't have to be a treat; any attention you give her
reinforces the behavior. For example, if your dog goes into a
barking fit when you walk in the door, the best thing to do is
ignore her. If you bend down and give her attention to quiet her,
you have just given her what she wanted. Another common scenario is
yelling at your dog to stop barking. You yell, your dog barks again,
you yell, dog barks, and on and on. Every time you yell, you are
joining the dog in her negative behavior, and therefore encouraging
it.
Breaking The Cycle of Bad Behavior
There are many ways to break an excessive barking habit. Anti-bark
collars release either a blast of citronella scent (which dogs
dislike) or a mild shock when the dog barks. Some people use these
collars to break barking that is associated with certain times of
day. However, the long-term success of this technique varies. The
most humane and effective way to change a dog's negative behavior is
through training. Whether you choose to follow a how-to training
book or work in person with a professional dog trainer, using
positive techniques to break a barking habit is better for your dog
and your relationship with her.
Dogs Were Born To Bark
Barking to alert her owner to potential danger is what your dog's
ancestors were bred to do, and the behavior has been genetically
passed to her. It is her instinct to bark at the garbage truck when
it pauses in front of your house. Even though the truck comes every
week and causes no damage, she still must warn you that something
big is outside. However, barking for extended periods of time at
every new sound quickly becomes a problem. With patience, training
and treats, you can teach your dog when and how much barking is
acceptable.
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