CONTROL DOG BARKING

It doesn't have to be a stressful time when you are attempting to stop your dog from barking.  No-one likes the loud barking of a dog at 4 in the morning, but this doesn't have to happen when taking the correct steps to control the problem.

Listed below are some tips that will help you to control dog barking:

• Attention

Under no circumstances should you give your dog the attention that he requires from barking.  If they are getting everything that they want when they bark it will never stop.  You must teach your dog that barking will not get him anywhere.  If he wants something, he will need to stop barking before he gets it.

• Don't make a fuss

If your dog barks when you leave the house, the possibilities are that you are making too much of a fuss of him when you leave.  Dogs are not capable of fully understanding the idea of saying goodbye and may find it upsetting when you give them cuddles and play, then walk out of the door to go to work for the next 8 hours.  That's a good enough reason for a dog to bark and howl the house down in an attempt to get you to come back.  Leave the house without fussing the dog, and leave without drawing any attention to yourself and the barking will become less and eventually stop altogether.

• Boredom

Dogs love to bark, it is something that they all do.  Even though barking may not be something that you like, dogs love it and it is a completely natural thing for them to do.  Therefore, if they have nothing to do and are bored, they will bark to pass the time.  For this reason it is important to keep your dog busy with lots of exciting toys, which will give them something to chew and play with when you are not there and let them wear cool dog collars.  When your dog has nothing else to do, he will bark all night long and keep everyone awake.

• Visitors

Seeing new faces and smelling new smells is exciting for dogs, and when visitors come by they receive more attention than usual.  This will often cause the dog to bark because they want to receive attention and get cuddles and be played with.  This can be solved by using the "stop" command.  Teach the dog this command and praise him when he listens to you.

• Be Consistent

Unfamiliarity can cause a dog to bark.  For example, if your dog is outside in the cold one evening and then indoors in the warm sleeping on your bed or with the children, you can guarantee that he will not go outdoors without warm dog clothes the following evening as he will not be getting any attention.  Stick to consistency with your dog and you will not go far wrong, otherwise you may be in for another sleepless night shouting at your dog to stop barking.

Even though they are our canine friends, they need to be taught right from wrong, and one great part of this is that they do not bark when it is not necessary.