Barking dogs: Tips and tricks for understanding and intervening

Let’s face it: Me telling you that dogs bark teaches you nothing. It simply is in their nature. But what if I told you that barking can lead to all kinds of conflicts between pets and families? That extremely vocal dogs are quite often abandoned? You may ask why is barking so widely misunderstood.

A question arises: Why are some dogs barking that much? Why is the barking so misunderstood? Here are some reasons to consider in order to understand this behavior and intervene.

Barking is perfectly normal!

So, dogs yelp. Guess what? There’s nothing more natural. Society and public opinion have a frustrating way of trying to get us to gain control over our dogs’ barking, among other things. Clearly, it’s important that we not get carried away.

For example, if you let your dog bark away in your backyard without intervening, you’ll likely receive some complaints. On the other hand, if your dog barks for a few seconds because a person is approaching the house and you’re unable to calm them down quickly, don’t go looking for bugs when there aren’t any!

Emotions and barking: Together forever

The most oft-committed error when trying to reduce your dog’s barking is to fail to consider how they feel when they bark. How does your dog feel when he barks? Barking is a vitally important form of communication which allows your dog to share his feelings.

Does your dog bark because they are happy to see guests arrive? Because they’re excited to see squirrels in the yard? Because they don’t want to be on a leash when they spot other dogs? Because they’re nervous around kids?

Evaluate your dog's emotion when barking, is the first solution to find the best method of intervention. Here are some examples of questions you might ask yourself:

• Does your dog bark because he is happy to see the guests arrive?
• Does your dog bark at squirrels in the yard because he is excited?
• Does your dog bark on a leash at the sight of other dogs, because he’s frustrated?
• Does your dog bark at children because he is nervous?
• Is your dog constantly barking when you are gone because he is anxious?

The top 5 behaviours to avoid when training your dog not to bark

1. Using the wrong words to explain your dog’s behaviour. Dogs don’t bark for no reason. They aren’t hopeless cases just because they are dominant or hard-headed.
2. Using aversive or dangerous methods. The physical and psychological punishment have considerable long-term risks
3. Involuntarily reinforcing the behaviour. Giving attention, whether positive or negative, encourages the behaviour.
4. Dogs need 3-5 hours of activity per day and barking is a great way for many dogs to release their energy.
5. Waiting for the problem to worsen. Consult before the problem even starts in order to avoid the most common mistakes.

The first thing you can do is start questioning yourself about which activities you engage in with your pet. Barking is an activity in and of itself, so if you want to diminish it, you must increase other activities such as walking, playing games, teaching new tricks or keeping them busy at mealtime with stimulating food toys. Don’t forget that if you fail to meet your dog’s needs, they will find their own way of entertaining themselves (ergo, barking.)

Healthy barking

Want to hear a sentence that will never be uttered? Take the time to consult a competent and educated dog trainer or canine behaviour expert. Avoid to take into account any advice that rumours that you hear. Your neighbour and the internet will always have an opinion on the subject, but only a professional with an understanding of ethics can properly evaluate your pet.

Many methods can be considered depending on your dog’s situation, such as counter-conditioning, desensitisation or extinction, in addition to the various laws of learning, and so on. Consulting a professional will help you find plenty of logical and respectful solutions to your dog’s barking.

In closing, get back to basics and take the time to deal with your dog’s barking instead of trying to find ways to shut them up. In so doing, you’ll find the friend you’ve always wanted!