| Interestingly, the domesticated dog barks far | | | | and persistence will be required. Hopefully you |
| more frequently than their ancestors. Possibly | | | | won't have to replace the hinges on your door |
| because many breeds have been taught to bark | | | | before you achieve success. |
| to better perform the various tasks for which | | | | If your dog is the type that barks commands at |
| they were bred - protection, shepherding, | | | | you all day while you're relaxing in your easy chair, |
| tracking. | | | | try the old "I'm going to ignore you" tactic. If |
| Today, your dog will find lots of reasons to bark | | | | you've been married as long as I have, you should |
| even if he isn't relegated to protecting the back | | | | be good at this already. Simply turn your head or, |
| 40 acres from poachers, or corralling the sheep | | | | even get up and walk away, out of sight until the |
| and goats in the family room. He may bark to | | | | barking ceases. If he follows, don't give him any |
| assert dominance; to defend his territory; from | | | | attention or even eye contact unless the barking |
| loneliness; out of frustration if he cannot get his | | | | stops - then praise him appropriately. |
| way; pent-up energy; noises; excessive | | | | If these techniques fail, move on to some slightly |
| confinement; or strangers in the house. Also, | | | | more drastic measures, such as a dog whistle, a |
| some dogs are far more predisposed to barking | | | | simple spray of water in his face, or a loud clap |
| than others. The small, high string breeds - | | | | inches from his snout until he associates the |
| Yorkies, Schnauzers, Beagles - are well known for | | | | barking with the "punishment". Praise when he |
| the persistent barking; while Newfoundlands, | | | | begins to get it. Hopefully, your dog, unlike your |
| Bloodhounds, Greyhounds and Rottweilers seldom | | | | children, will not have to go though his entire |
| bark. | | | | adolescence before he understands what behavior |
| Naturally, since many rescue dogs are of the | | | | you expect from him. |
| mutt variety, you just can't be sure what genes | | | | There are also several "band-aids" you can |
| your dog is packing. | | | | employ to keep your sanity as you progress |
| While it's not realistic, or even necessary to | | | | through this training. |
| expect your dog to cease from barking entirely, | | | | If he scurries away as you are attempting to |
| you should look forward to eventually having | | | | correct him, put him on leash so he'll be close |
| control over incessant, annoying barking. Before | | | | enough to associate the scolding with the bad |
| you begin your training program, make sure you | | | | behavior. If you discover that loud sounds outside |
| are not at least partially responsible for your dog's | | | | seem to trigger a barking frenzy, play music, or |
| barking problem. | | | | leave a radio or TV on. If he is stimulated by |
| Do you jump up and take your dog for a walk | | | | activity outside, close the curtains. Again, I like to |
| when he barks at the door? If he barks at the | | | | think of these as temporary measures until the |
| box of biscuits sitting on the counter, do you give | | | | training works. It's not a good thing when you |
| him one? Does he bark when you leave the | | | | have to alter your lifestyle to keep your dog calm |
| room, causing you to forget the trip to the | | | | and well-adjusted. |
| refrigerator and scurry back to the couch to | | | | Once you have succeeded in ceasing the barking |
| keep the peace? In short, don't reward him in any | | | | on command, you would be wise to go the |
| fashion when he barks for what he wants. | | | | distance by employing the two-prong training |
| But whatever the root causes of your dog's | | | | technique - SPEAK & QUIET. This too was |
| barking, there are well-proven behavioral | | | | explained for me in an eBook available from the |
| techniques that can be used to teach him not to | | | | resource I reference below. |
| bark unless requested by you to do so. | | | | Step 1 -- Teach your dog to bark on command. |
| First, from the 10,000 foot level, a well-exercised, | | | | This requires a bunch of treats, plenty of praise |
| healthy dog who has had socialization training will | | | | and that old one-two punch of patience and |
| probably be less inclined to be a frenzied, constant | | | | persistence. The command is "SPEAK". When a |
| barker. So, be sure those bases are covered. | | | | bark immediately follows, reward with a treat. |
| Invariably however, there will still be cases when | | | | Alternate the treat with lavish praise since there |
| the problem needs to be nipped in the cold, wet | | | | will be times when you are plum all out of dog |
| snout, so to speak. | | | | treats on your person. Give the praise |
| Naturally, like all corrective training, it is necessary | | | | immediately after the first bark so your dog |
| to scold your dog while in the act. Otherwise your | | | | doesn't go back to his old ways of relentless |
| action will only cause confusion in your dog's "live | | | | barking. Once you and your buddy have mastered |
| for the moment" mind. And of course, always be | | | | this step, go on to... |
| prepared to reward for the proper behavior with | | | | Step 2 -- Teach your dog to be quiet on |
| petting, treats and praise. Be sure to use the | | | | command. This is the critical, albeit tricky part of |
| phrase you use with all of your other training | | | | the training. Again, with a pocketful of treats, give |
| sessions - if he isn't barking, "good dog - yes - no | | | | the command your dog learned means to bark - |
| bark" is a phrase I learned to use from the | | | | SPEAK. But this time, allow your dog to continue |
| training resource referenced below. | | | | barking by withholding the treat. Then, start |
| Of course, commands alone aren't always enough. | | | | repeating the word QUIET, until the barking stops. |
| So conditioning is required. For example, if your | | | | Then immediately give the treat or praise. You will |
| dog commences to bark as soon as you leave, | | | | need to work on the two-part technique each |
| try standing outside the door. As soon as the first | | | | day for ten to fifteen minute sessions. But do not |
| bark is released, open the door with a firm, "no | | | | go longer than your dog can pay attention. Soon, |
| bark" or "quiet". Do this repeatedly until your dog | | | | your efforts will pay handsome dividends with a |
| manages silence for five minutes or more at a | | | | dog that knows when to speak and knows when |
| stretch. Then deliver your "good dog - yes - no | | | | to listen. |
| bark" with a tasty treat. Like all training, patience | | | | |