Excessive Barking - How to Solve the Problem
You have to properly take care for your dog, socialize and train him without using violence.
Having a pet need not be frustrating or difficult.
Behavior training or behavior modification means solving any problems you might have with your dog's behavior.
Excessive barking can be one such problem.
Dogs love to bark, it is a natural thing for them, but if you have grouchy neighbors, it is a problem you should address.
First you have to find out the reason why your dog barks a lot.
Sometimes they bark to express their needs, to alert other dogs or you and your family.
They may also bark out of sheer excitement, or at other animals.
They also bark if they feel isolated, or trapped behind a fence or a window.
Boredom is another cause, and so is feeling stressed or uncomfortable.
Dogs have more acute senses, so excessive barking may be triggered by something.
Owners may unknowingly reward excessive barking, a behavior which is thus reinforced.
If you start shouting at your dog, he might interpret this as an attempt to join him in making noise, so it adds to the excitement.
You can solve this problem by teaching commands such as "Stop!" or "Quiet".
When he starts barking, just say "Quiet!" and wave a tasty treat in front of his nose.
Offer him the treat if he stays quiet for a few seconds.
If you take care of the physical and mental health of your dog, by ensuring he is properly exercised, provided with fresh water, toys to chew and a comfortable place to sleep, behavioral problems are more easily solved.
If the dog barks a lot when you are not at home, try ignoring him for a while when you are back.
Otherwise, your dog may thing that you came back home because he was barking, so excessive barking is reinforced.
You have to find a way to convey a clear and consistent message when training your dog.
Try praising and rewarding anything that your dog does right, and associate any behavior you don't like with something negative.
For example, spray him with water when he starts barking, and try to stay hidden from his sight when you are doing this.
Offer him a treat when he stays quiet.
You have to repeat this process long enough for your dog to get rid of a habit such as excessive barking.
It is also helpful to just ignore your dog when he barks a lot.
It will be more difficult for you though, but if your dog realizes that he will not get anything from barking a lot, he will stop.
If the dog has a tendency to bark at a particular person, you can use this person to change your dog's behavior.
He may become the person to offer the dog a treat, so in time he will not be perceived as a threat by your dog.
Proper training will not only solve your problems, but it will also create a strong bond between you and your dog, so you should take time to practice it.
Having a pet need not be frustrating or difficult.
Behavior training or behavior modification means solving any problems you might have with your dog's behavior.
Excessive barking can be one such problem.
Dogs love to bark, it is a natural thing for them, but if you have grouchy neighbors, it is a problem you should address.
First you have to find out the reason why your dog barks a lot.
Sometimes they bark to express their needs, to alert other dogs or you and your family.
They may also bark out of sheer excitement, or at other animals.
They also bark if they feel isolated, or trapped behind a fence or a window.
Boredom is another cause, and so is feeling stressed or uncomfortable.
Dogs have more acute senses, so excessive barking may be triggered by something.
Owners may unknowingly reward excessive barking, a behavior which is thus reinforced.
If you start shouting at your dog, he might interpret this as an attempt to join him in making noise, so it adds to the excitement.
You can solve this problem by teaching commands such as "Stop!" or "Quiet".
When he starts barking, just say "Quiet!" and wave a tasty treat in front of his nose.
Offer him the treat if he stays quiet for a few seconds.
If you take care of the physical and mental health of your dog, by ensuring he is properly exercised, provided with fresh water, toys to chew and a comfortable place to sleep, behavioral problems are more easily solved.
If the dog barks a lot when you are not at home, try ignoring him for a while when you are back.
Otherwise, your dog may thing that you came back home because he was barking, so excessive barking is reinforced.
You have to find a way to convey a clear and consistent message when training your dog.
Try praising and rewarding anything that your dog does right, and associate any behavior you don't like with something negative.
For example, spray him with water when he starts barking, and try to stay hidden from his sight when you are doing this.
Offer him a treat when he stays quiet.
You have to repeat this process long enough for your dog to get rid of a habit such as excessive barking.
It is also helpful to just ignore your dog when he barks a lot.
It will be more difficult for you though, but if your dog realizes that he will not get anything from barking a lot, he will stop.
If the dog has a tendency to bark at a particular person, you can use this person to change your dog's behavior.
He may become the person to offer the dog a treat, so in time he will not be perceived as a threat by your dog.
Proper training will not only solve your problems, but it will also create a strong bond between you and your dog, so you should take time to practice it.
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