Barking is a completely normal way for dogs to communicate. In fact, humans have selectively bred many breeds specifically for their ability to bark!
But in modern society (and especially in urban environments), barking can become an unpleasant behavior that many people want to “fix.” Unfortunately, few people know how to approach this.
But all is not lost! There is hope for a more peaceful future. Below we will discuss some ways to solve the problem of your dog barking at everyone.
When does it start?
At what age do puppies start barking? This usually happens at 3-4 months. But, of course, first of all, it depends on the characteristics of the breed, the puppy itself and the conditions of detention. There are talkative bell dogs: they bark a lot and with pleasure. Silent animals are reserved and taciturn and bark only in extreme cases.
By the way, when you do a lot with your puppy, play, train him, then in the heat of passion (completely unexpected for you!) he can go and bark!
In general, dogs really love to imitate and adopt certain behavior patterns. If your baby has someone to follow an example from (he often communicates with other dogs and hears their barking), then he himself learns to bark before his peers.
Behavior correction: basic methods of education
Correcting the behavior of an adult dog is not only more difficult than training a puppy, but can also take much longer. The main thing to remember when raising a dog is systematic training and patience.
If the methods of behavior correction described earlier did not produce results, then, after mandatory consultation with a veterinarian and dog handler, you can move on to more radical methods of behavior correction.
Additional methods
Such methods include food additives impregnated with various drugs, castration (sterilization), sedatives, corrective collars or cutting of vocal cords.
- Any food additives, whether drops or tablets, must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Corrective collars - electric shock, ultrasonic or spray - can be used after consultation with a dog trainer.
- The most radical methods of behavior correction - sterilization and cutting of vocal cords - are carried out only in a veterinary clinic and under general anesthesia.
Sedatives
Sedatives include various drops and herbal infusions, tablets and capsules.
- Nutritional supplements consist of herbal infusions and can be used over long courses, but always after consultation with a veterinarian - each drug is individual and the body reacts differently in different dogs.
- All sedatives - supplements and medications - have a sedative effect.
Separate from everything else are collars soaked in concentrated sedatives. The principles of aromatherapy apply here - when the dog is in a calm environment, the collar must be removed so that the dog can enjoy a walk and run around.
Anti-bark collars
Corrective collars can have several options:
- Electronic collars. When the vocal cords are vibrated, the collar shoots out a small but sensitive and unpleasant shock. In order for a shock collar to be effective, it is important to put it on correctly - the electrodes on the box must fit tightly to the dog's skin. If you do not remove the fur, the dog will faintly feel the shock and this will only make him even more angry.
- Ultrasonic collar. It operates on the same principle as an electric shock collar - when the ligaments vibrate, the collar produces impulses, only not of current, but in the ultrasonic range.
- Spray collar. Also, when the ligaments vibrate, it releases aromatic compounds. Such a collar is harmless to the dog’s health, but the smell is unpleasant for the pet - most often such collars contain citrus aromas, sharp and strong.
Vocal cord cutting
The most radical way to get rid of barking is surgery. Cutting the vocal cords is a serious surgical procedure that often leads to complications and even death of the dog. Incorrectly or inaccurately performed surgery can lead to swelling of the larynx, as a result of which the dog will not be able to breathe.
- In addition to the most terrible outcome - death, cutting the ligaments can lead to disability of the dog, since swelling of the larynx can cause breathing problems.
- Such an operation, of course, will solve a “loud” problem, but it can lead to a change in the dog’s behavior and not for the better - a dog without a means of communication can become cowardly or, conversely, aggressive.
There can be many complications from surgery, because the operation is performed under general anesthesia, and anesthesia itself can lead to various chronic diseases of internal organs. In addition, the operation leaves many extremely painful scars on the larynx: the dog will not be able to eat normally for a long time and will experience constant pain until the scars heal.
Before deciding to undergo surgery, the dog owner needs to think very carefully and consult with a veterinarian and dog handler.
What to do if it's quiet?
- If she doesn't bark much. This may be due to the fact that the animal simply has such a character and temperament. Or - heredity. Also, it may depend on the breed of the dog. Or from training. It is possible to retrain a dog, but it doesn’t make much sense: in a stressful situation, it will still act in the way that is most comfortable for it.
- Doesn't bark at strangers. This depends on many factors: genetic predisposition; natural trait or timidity. In order to develop defensive reactions in a dog, you need to educate it and teach it commands.
- Doesn't bark at all. You need to wait for the right moment when the dog barks, and then immediately praise it. And then start teaching the “Voice” command. Be sure to accompany this with tasty rewards.
- She used to bark, but now she has stopped. The dog could have gotten sick. Also, she could be very scared. Small dogs may stop barking due to instability in the cervical spine. In any case, be sure to consult a doctor!
Why does the dog bark
No dog will bark without a reason. There is an opinion that animals communicate with each other through their voices, but experts deny this, since dogs have many other sounds in their arsenal for this - howling, growling, etc. Dogs use barking primarily to attract the attention of a person, the owner. And not just like that, but to the point.
There are several reasons why a dog barks.
For warning
Guard dogs and even small toy dogs bark to warn their owner of danger and to ward off the threat. There could be a person standing outside the door of a house, but a passerby on the street made a sharp movement with his hand - and the response followed immediately. By barking, a dog warns someone in whom it sees a potential danger that it may attack.
This is how any animal is designed by nature - the instinct of self-preservation forces it to defend itself, but man has tamed and raised a dog, so it does not attack without warning. But if your pet reacts in a similar way to every sound or voice outside the door, if on the street it barks at all the people and cars - this is no longer normal. However, there is no need to scold the animal, much less punish it. It is important to figure out what is bothering the dog and calm it down.
To attract attention
Even if you come home from work tired in the evening, your dog will greet you at home with a joyful bark. He is also tired - from waiting for the owner for a long time - and wants to play. Barking is both a greeting and an invitation to go for a walk and play. It is useless to restrain your pet with commands or shouts: it is unlikely that he will calm down until he receives his portion of attention. Give your four-legged friend some time and he will calm down.
Because it's scary
In this case, barking is also a defensive reaction. Sometimes there is no real threat, but the dog subconsciously feels it or was once hurt in a similar situation. Barks at a drunk passerby on the street - maybe someone offended him, kicked him or tried to hit him. The dog’s brain has formed a reaction: the smell of alcohol = a potential threat. A child at play can also inadvertently cause pain to an animal - hence the so-called “dislike” for children and attempts to scare away the threat by barking.
Important!
And in this case, the most important thing is to show the dog that it is safe and is not in danger. The best way is to encourage the dog and divert his attention to more interesting objects - for example, a play ball.
Lack of education
In the house, the “leader of the pack” should only be a person, the owner. All others are obliged to obey him. And in this “chain” the dog is given the last place. If in the family everything is the other way around - all the whims of the four-legged friend are fulfilled, especially when he insists on this with his voice, loud barking - the dog develops a certain model of behavior: if you want to get something, bark! Bark loudly!
What could this lead to? The owner is not at home, no one can fulfill the dog’s needs - and it will bark for a very long time, causing irritation to family members and the anger of neighbors. There is only one conclusion - the dog needs to be raised from childhood, not to unquestioningly satisfy all its desires, not to pamper it. She needs to be taught to behave correctly and follow commands. To do this, it is advisable to involve an experienced dog handler.
Boredom
Have you tried sitting alone indoors all day? And sit tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow? So the dog doesn’t like this, so he barks to attract attention. But such behavior not only negatively affects the psyche of your neighbors, but also the psyche of the dog itself. If you have to leave your dog alone at home all day, give him a good walk so that he gets tired and goes to bed. Leave him toys - this will also help brighten up his lonely hours.
Important!
Dogs do not bark for no reason - in most cases it is a desire to attract attention or warn the owner of danger. Having found out the reason for the pet’s excessive emotionality, you can wean the dog from barking and thereby save his psyche, as well as prevent a negative reaction from others.
What breeds are few?
- Basenji is the only breed of dog that does not bark at all and cannot do this. Instead of barking, they howl or purr.
- Bullmastiff - he will snort and sniff rather than bark.
- Deerhound - They bark very quietly.
- Afghan Hound.
- Chinese Shar Pei - Bark only when playing or when danger seems imminent.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback.
- Akita Inu is usually silent unless there are special reasons for alarm.
- Clumber Spaniel - does not bark unless it senses extreme danger.
- Greyhound practically does not bark.
- Russian greyhound.
- Mastiff.
- English bulldog.
- Irish Wolfhound.
- German dog.
- Saluki (gazelle dog).
Tips from a dog trainer
It is better to start training a dog with the socialization of the puppy. But if the dog is already an adult, you need to be patient and follow some rules:
- All commands must be spoken calmly and only once. You cannot repeat the command several times, otherwise the dog will remember that it can be done the third time and will ignore the owner’s demands.
- A correctly and quickly executed command or termination of an action should be rewarded instantly. Each owner must choose a reward independently, based on the characteristics of their pet - it does not have to be food or a toy; for some dogs, stroking and affection is enough. After the pet has learned the command and follows it unquestioningly, the reward can be gradually removed.
- Training should be daily, albeit short. Only systematic training will bring results. Not only the frequency of classes is important, but also constant repeated actions, without variations - there should be no deviations from the execution of commands.
- You cannot break down and yell at your pet. Any excitement or excitement of the dog owner is transmitted to the pet and can greatly increase its excitement.
A portion of sour water
Some dog breeds react nervously to children and do not like them. But that doesn't mean you have to put up with constant barking. When you see a dog barking at a neighbor’s kid, strictly say: “Ugh!” The pet must remember your dissatisfaction.
To calm a dog that has a high level of nervous excitability, experienced owners use the “cold spray tactic.” As soon as the animal bursts into barking for no reason, the owner commands: “Quiet!” If there is no silence in the room, the owner sprays water from a spray bottle into the dog's face. This is a fairly harmless way to silence your pet.
A person who is wondering how to stop a dog from barking can use a special collar. When a dog barks, the collar “responds” quite unexpectedly: it releases a portion of lemon water into the animal’s face.
How to teach a puppy not to bark out of boredom or loneliness
It is no secret that the easiest way to eliminate unwanted aspects of a dog’s behavior is when its temperament is just developing (in puppyhood).
Here's how to react to a dog's unreasonable vocalization:
- In a raised tone, command: “Ugh!”
- Lightly slap your dog on the rump when he barks. Note that the spanking should be done with the hand, and not with a leash or stick.
- After expressing your dissatisfaction with your pet’s behavior, retire to another room.
If you are used to yelling at a barking puppy, but do not give him clear commands, the animal will decide that you are playing with him. And he will bark whenever he wants to attract your attention. Don't get into a fight with your pet! Change your behavior.
As soon as your puppy decides to bark to get your attention, command “Quiet!” and immediately go into another room. As soon as silence reigns in the room where the pet is sitting, return. Pet the puppy and give him a treat. At first, the naughty dog will be confused, but will soon understand that the owner is thanking him for the silence.
How can you prevent causeless barking in advance?
Try to avoid situations that provoke your dog to bark. For example, many pets often react to the sound of an intercom. To avoid triggering a barking attack, turn it off or turn the volume down.
Dogs are social animals. They cannot be alone for long. But a person cannot always spend a lot of time with his pet for various reasons: work, business, and much more. Therefore, from a very early age, it is necessary to accustom the puppy to independence and loneliness, so that the owner’s departure for work does not cause stress and a feeling of fear, and as a result, loud barking.
It is necessary to ignore causeless barking from an early age. Gain strength and patience. If your pet barks, wait until he calms down on his own. After this, come up and reward the tailed one. This way he will remember that silence is valued, and they also give treats for it.
