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The Lost Dogs’ Home Vet Clinic receives many calls from owners with barking dog problems. Barking is a natural behaviour of dogs. However, it can become a problem if it occurs too often or at inappropriate times.

Dogs bark for many reasons. These include excitement, anxiety, attention seeking, pain, guarding territory and boredom to name a few. With so many causes there is not a single “one size fits all” remedy for excessive or inappropriate barking. Most excessive barkers are motivated to vocalise for a number of reasons, so a holistic approach is generally needed to address the problem successfully.

Some points that might be useful to get you started are outlined below:

First Night Blues
If your dog starts to vocalise on its first night at home with you, there is a strategy that can be used to make sure that your dog doesn’t receive attention from you for inappropriate barking. Making a novel, short noise such as a rolled up newspaper slapped against the wall or a high pitched whistle, will often stop the barking temporarily. This noise is NOT meant to frighten the dog, just attract its attention momentarily. It is essential that your pet doesn’t know this sound has been made by you; so be certain not to yell. Continue to make the short, sharp noise the MOMENT your pet BEGINS vocalising. If you persist with this over five or ten minutes the barking will often cease. When your pet has been silent for a time you should check on her if you feel she is cold, hungry, may need to toilet etc. While this technique is effective for many dogs if they are barking for your attention, it may not lead to an improvement if other factors are motivating the bark.

Busy = Quiet
Ensure your dog has adequate mental and physical activity each day. This can include appropriate games, toys and training opportunities. This results in a calmer, more contented dog who is less likely to be reactive to minor stimuli. A leaf falling from a tree is hardly worth barking at if Fido has his attention taken up with a favourite chew toy or is tired after playing fetch.

A Suitable Environment
Some minor changes in the environment your dog inhabits can reduce barking significantly. For instance, closing the curtains and offering a tasty raw bone to chew on when the children are passing on their way home from school will help your dog to remain quiet at this time. Providing a source of extra warmth in your dog’s kennel on chilly days will encourage him to remain snuggled up quietly.

Barking Scared
Dogs that bark because they are frightened or anxious will often need an individual treatment plan. Fears and anxieties tend to deteriorate over time if left untreated, along with the barking that sometimes occurs concurrently. Dogs who bark or howl through thunderstorms can often be helped by the use of CD’s to help them learn to cope more effectively. Severe cases of anxiety may require appropriate medication to ensure the dog doesn’t panic. Seek professional advice as soon as possible, if you have any concerns that your dog’s barking might be anxiety related.

Rewarding Silence
Don’t take quiet, calm behaviour for granted. Offer your dog food treats and verbal praise when he’s sitting around doing nothing. This might sound like easy street for your dog but it helps him to learn that attention and good things come for being quiet, so why bother barking!

The cause of the barking needs to be correctly diagnosed in order to change the behaviour for the better. Your vet can help you with an approach for your dog.