Barking in Dogs
• Territorial/protective/alerting
• Anxiety
• Compulsive
• Play/social
• Separation
Management
• Identify and eliminate the cause
• Control or avoid the stimuli that causes barking
• Reward/”quiet” training and remove reinforcing factors
Prevention
• Never reward barking (attention, food, play)
• Socialize the dog so it is accustomed to sounds, situations, and strangers
• Basic obedience training
• Immediate interruption with startle devices (shaker can) or by training to the “quiet” command
Training to the “quiet” command
• Goal is for dog to respond to a “quiet” command when it is barking
• Be alert to the dog’s barking – immediately say “quiet” after the first bark, calling the dog, and requesting a sit – stay
• Only if the dog sits quietly should praise, toy, or food reward be given
• The quiet command and reward process should then be repeated but the dog should be quiet for a few seconds longer each time before the reward is given. Timing is critical – the dog must learn that being quiet (not the barking) is the reason for the reward.
• If the pet ignores the quiet command, the owner should immediately provide a loud stimulus (shaker can, air horn) that is startling enough to stop barking but not strong enough so that it causes the dog to be reluctant to come to the owner when called.
Other items which may be used to help with barking:
• Gentle leader head collar
• Citronella collar
• Shaker can (tin can filled with pennies or rocks and sealed tightly with duct tape)
• Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) – available in collar, spay, or plug in
