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| Is Your Dog Driving You BARKING Mad? |
It happens to everyone. You've had a long day at work, you're completely exhausted, and you've just put the kids to bed when Fido begins to bark. You know he's been fed, watered, and relieved, so you think to yourself that he'll quiet down. Then you find yourself looking at the clock and telling yourself the same thing an hour later.
What can be done to silence the madness?
There are plenty of solutions, but the real challenge is finding an option that will work for your pet. For example, there are collars that are designed to discourage dogs from barking. The three main collar designs are citronella, averse sound, and electric shock. Citronella collars release a liquid with a strong, safe scent into your dog's face when he or she barks. To avoid the unpleasant smell, your dog may eventually stop barking. The averse sound collars work in the same manner, but instead of a scent they emit an unpleasant sound that is inaudible to humans. Electric collars are pretty self-explanatory – they use electricity to silence the barking.
If you choose not to use a training collar, there are other methods available as well. To learn how to stop a dog from barking, it is important to understand what is causing it to bark. For example, dealing with territorial barking requires different training than dealing with a dog who is barking because he has to sleep in his crate. Get to know your dog and train him accordingly. Once you know why, you can find the appropriate method to put a stop to the barking.
Another option for barking is to teach your dog a “quiet” command. A “quiet” command requires his favorite treats and a way of quickly distracting him, such as a spray bottle filled with water (yes, this involves squirting him). If your dog is barking at strangers, give him a chance to stop barking on his own, but no more than three barks. If he does not quiet down, use your command “quiet,” and utilize your distracting device. When your dog hushes, praise him and reward him with a treat. You will need to be repetitive and consistent, but eventually your dog should respond to “quiet.”
Does your dog bark when he or she is alone? Try exercise – it's one of the most effective methods of silencing barking dogs. Think about it – do you feel like barking after a workout? If you are planning to leave your dog alone, make a time for a long walk beforehand. This will exhaust your pet, so he will be more concerned about getting some rest than being alone.
If your dog is barking from boredom, he may just need something to keep him busy, such as toys or bones. Or he may be happier if you crate train him. Just remember that determining the reason is the key to finding the solution.
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