Yap! Yap! Yap! Get a Handle on Your Dog`s Barking Barking! It`s

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Yap! Yap! Yap! Get a Handle on Your Dog’s Barking
Barking! It's annoying. It's nerve-wracking. It annoys the neighbors. If you've had a barking dog -- or if
you've lived next to a barking dog -- I don't have to tell you how annoying it is. This month's newsletter
will take a look at the different reasons dogs bark, the mistakes people make with barking dogs, and
what you can do to help minimize the noise and teach a new -- quieter! -- habit.
Barking is normal dog behavior. Barking is a form of communication for dogs. Some people like it when
their dogs bark -- up to a point. Barking only becomes a problem when it turns annoying, or when it
disrupts you (or your neighbor's) peace and quiet. Let's take a look at some of the possible reasons dogs
bark.
Why Dogs Bark
1. To say hello! Dogs bark to communicate what they're feeling. Sometimes barking occurs when the
dog is really excited to see you. The barking is the human equivalent of "Hello! Come on in! Where
have you been? Why have you been gone so long? I'm so happy to see you again!"
2. To say "stay away!" Some dogs would prefer that you keep your distance from them. They bark
to ward you off. Frequently, owners describe their dog as "protective," but when looking at the
entire picture: body language, context, posture, etc., it's very clear that the dog isn't trying to
protect anyone or anything, the dog just wants people to stay far away. Many barking dogs are
fearful and barking is an easy and effective way to increase the distance between the dog and
people.
3. To elicit play. Some dogs will play-bow (front end is down, rear end is up) and then bark at
another dog. The barking dog is saying "Please play with me! I want to run and romp and be silly
with you!"
4. To combat boredom. Some dogs who are left to amuse themselves find out that barking gives
them something to do. It's fun!
5. To soothe themselves. Sometimes, dogs get anxious when they are left alone. They bark because
it helps relieve some of their anxiety.
6. For attention. Frequently, a barking dog gets attention. Whether it's good attention or bad
attention, the dog succeeds in satisfying his need for attention. If you talk to, look at, touch, or
play with your dog after he barks, you are giving him attention.
7. Because it works. This last category encompasses the previous six -- ALL dogs bark because it
works. If barking didn't work, the dog wouldn't do it. Period.
The Mistakes People Make
The reason your dog continues to bark is simple: because it works. Barking gets them what they want.
Maybe it's attention the dog is after. If you look at your dog when he barks, BINGO! You just did what
your dog wanted you to. It's so easy to fall into this habit: Dog barks = we respond. It's really hard to
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ignore barking. It's annoying! We want it to stop! Unfortunately, the more we pay attention to the
barking, the more engrained the habit of barking will become (if the dog is barking for any reason other
than self-soothing). If your dog is barking from boredom, barking still works: it gives them something to
do. And, if you then chime in by yelling, you're making the situation even better (from the dog's
perspective)!
How to Quiet the Barks
If your dog is just developing a barking habit, you're in luck. It's a lot easier to change behavior before
it's an established habit. Habits will develop, you might as well make the developing habit a good one,
instead of allowing a bad habit to take over. It's a lot like tending to a garden: weeds will grow in your
garden. But if you're attentive and vigilant, you can pull those weeds before they really put down roots
and take over that garden. It's a lot easier if you pay attention to those weeds when they're just
seedlings. Same thing goes with the habits your dog develops.
Ignore
If your dog is barking to get attention, simply ignore the dog. This is simple, but it is not easy! To
ignore your dog, you must not: look at, touch, or talk to your dog. Don't say "Shhh!" Only when your dog is
quiet will you then turn all your attention to the dog. It's easy to become frustrated or embarrassed by
your dog's barking, but if you give your dog any attention for barking (if he's barking for attention), you're
rewarding the barking.
Distract and Redirect
My favorite strategy for combating barking is to distract the dog and redirect him to something else.
If your dog is barking at the kids who just got off the school bus, clap your hands, call your dog in a happy
voice, and then give him a squeaky toy (or whatever is your dog's favorite toy) and get him engaged in
playing with the toy instead of discovering just how much fun it is to bark and "chase the kids away."
Note: You and I know your dog isn't chasing the kids (UPS truck, letter carrier, etc.) away. But take the
dog's perspective: I bark = kids leave. You can see how quickly the habit of barking develops because of
the 100% success rate! Restrict your dog's access to view the distraction if necessary -- close the door to
the room where your dog can see the kids or close the blinds. If your dog is barking while outdoors, bring
him inside. It's critical that you distract and redirect as well as prevent the dog from re-engaging in the
barking behavior.
Change the Association
Another strategy to end the barking is to change the dog's association with the thing that starts him
barking. If your dog is barking at the sound of the trash truck, an easy way to stop the barking is to
associate something pleasant and something incompatible with barking. You'll have to be able to predict
when the trash truck comes each week. Have some super-delicious treats ready (in a plastic-lidded
container, so you can store them in a spot where you can access them easily, quickly, and silently). As
soon as your dog notices the trash truck (ears will prick up, probably) and before your dog begins to bark
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(that's the super-important part), toss 10 - 15 treats right in front of your dog. Your dog will likely be so
interested in the salmon (chicken, beef, sardines, whatever) on the floor that he won't bark at the trash
truck. As your dog gets close to finishing the treats on the floor, throw some more down if the truck is
still within earshot. Keep tossing the treats on the floor until the truck is gone. Repeat this process each
week (each day, whatever the frequency) and before long your dog will start to look for you (and the
food) whenever he hears/sees the trash truck.
Remember, barking is a normal behavior for dogs. It's only a problem when it annoys the humans. Try
to notice what your dog barks at, and what the dog gets out of the barking. Once you identify the
reinforcer (the "why"), you can then begin to work on reducing the barking using one of the techniques
above. You'll notice that nowhere did I suggest an electronic collar (also known as an e-collar or anti-bark
collar). Those devices usually rely on shock to "convince" your dog not to bark. There are several
problems with those collars: (1) they don't teach the dog what to do instead of barking; (2) they can
result in the dog developing a fear (or anxiety) of whatever the dog is barking at (thereby making the
barking problem worse, not better), and (3) they rely on shock (!) to solve a problem for which there
are easier and more humane solutions.
If you're looking for a solution to your dog's barking, and what you've tried hasn't been working (or
not working quickly enough), please look for a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner in your
area for assistance. Feel free to contact me if you can't find someone in your area -- I'm happy to help
locate a qualified trainer to help bring some peace back to your household!
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