Cure For A Barking Dog

September 27, 2008 by Richard Cross

Barking is a very natural behaviour of the dog. Like frogs croak and birds sing, the dog barks and you should be ready for some whining and barking from your pet. On the other hand it can be a nuisance for you as well as your neighbours if you have an excessively barking dog and you are not able to control him.

Many times when dogs are left in one place for a long time and are not exercised enough, barking becomes a source of taking out their built-up energy. Barking becomes a hobby for a dog, when he is socially isolated as there is no one to manage him. In fact the dog starts enjoying it and once they start barking, they go on doing it for the fun of it and you have a barking dog in hand.

Different breeds are also more likely to bark than others. Border collies are just one example, and this is definitely something you should consider when getting a dog.

There are times your pet takes to barking too often as you have inadvertently trained the dog to do so. It is like your pet speaking and you obeying. He barks and you open the door or he barks and you pat him. In a way the dog barks to catch your attention. One can easily fall into this trap. You can reward your dog when he is sitting quietly also.

It is very important to understand that a number of times the dog barks out of boredom and frustration. You should find ways to get rid of such a situation. Remember that a cheerful dog that has had enough exercise has better chances of sleeping through the day when you are away. Barking dog can be helped, if you spend some time training, playing as well as exercising the canine.

Obedience training is a very good method of giving mental exercise to the dog. As we humans get tired by thinking so does the dog. In fact almost all dogs have fun with speedy and exciting games like commanding them to sit, come, stay or even calling them and giving a hug, treat etc. Make sure that the training does not become a monotonous and boring schedule.

We have to understand that dogs are social animals and they also need friends and company. Help your dog make friends by taking him to the same dog park. Till your barking dog comes under control try to keep him in a place where he is least disturbing and your neighbours don’t complain. If your dog has taken to too much of barking, don’t expect this habit to come under control immediately. You will have to give more time as well as be patient.