Keep Your Dog From Barking Excessively

By Kevin Lee

Dogs bark for quite a few reasons. Chiefly, barking is meant for communication purposes. Some breeds are more well known for excessive barking but every dog will bark at times. There are situations when you want your dog to bark for communication purposes with you but everyone gets frustrated with a dog that barks excessively.

There are generally a couple of reasons why a dog will bark excessively. One of the main reasons why a dog barks is because of boredom. Dogs are pack animals, they enjoy daily exercise, interaction with others and social stimulation. If they are spending most of their time being cooped up in the house or even outdoors in the same yard everyday they may need more fun. Try taking your dog for more walks around the block or do some structured playtime every day. This may help to keep your dog from excessive barking if he barks out of boredom.

Being overly nervous or scared can also prompt a dog to start barking excessively. Appropriately socialized dogs tend to be calmer and more relaxed around various people and in various situations but a dog that is not used to new things can start barking out of anxiety. Start socializing your dog by taking him to new and different places and into different situations. Give him praise and rewards when he is quiet and well behaved and soon he will will be less nervous as he will associate the pleasant treat with the situation rather than nervousness.

Dogs will bark when they are wanting something from you. However, while you need your dog to communicate with you, you also do not want this type of barking to become a bad habit. If you always respond to his barking he will always continue to bark. Try to get him to communicate with you in other ways by praising him and rewarding him for other behaviors. Otherwise you will just train him to bark.

Separation anxiety can cause a dog to start barking excessively. This is a problem for you as it is disturbing to neighbors and others and you are not even there. Try to get your dog over separation anxiety early on in his training when he is just a puppy. You can use a crate whenever you leave and he will learn to be happy in his own space. Never make a big deal out of leaving your dog home alone but just slip out quietly. He will be more likely to behave until you get back if he doesn't realize that you are gone.

Dogs bark to protect you and there are circumstances when we all would appreciate that. However, every single day when the mailman or mail person! delivers the mail is not one of those times! This is atime when socialization and training can really pay dividends. Take your dog to meet the mailman, let them become acquainted and hopefully your dog will stop barking at him everyday. Another way to get him to stop barking at inappropriate times is to distract him with a game or a treat. But when your dog barks to protect you remember that there may come a time when you will appreciate that so limit your training to people you know.

You can teach your dog not to bark excessively. A dog trainer can offer you some techniques but usually more socialization and more playtimes do wonders to curb excessive barking. Your dog is barking for a reason though, so it is smart to find out the reason why and adjust your training to that.

If your dog only barks for proper communication you and others like you will enjoy your dog more. Start training your dog not to bark excessively while he is just a puppy and by the time he is grown up you will know that if he is barking it is for a good reason. - 32404

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