Thousands of years ago, humans began the process of domesticating the dog and shaping what “being a dog” really means. Through careful selection and breeding, an astonishing variety of dog breeds have been created. Desirable traits have been selected for in various breeds that are of a benefit to humans. There are some traits, however, that quickly become undesirable when expressed too frequently. Barking is an example of a natural behaviour that is encouraged in terms of guarding behaviour, but becomes a problem when the behaviour is produced in excess. A recent health insurance investigation revealed that the sound of a continually barking dog was cited as the most disruptive and stress inducing noise for humans.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Barking, in addition to whining, howling and growling, is a dog’s natural means of communication. Barking is characterized by a series of short, sharp sounds, that tend to vary little in tone or pitch. A dog’s bark can signify territorial protection, exertion of dominance, or expression of some need. Typically, barking is “a means of communication triggered by a state of excitement.” Being a natural trait, barking is not considered a behavioural problem, until it is produced in excess.

Causes of Problem Barking

Problem barking has a variety of origins. Genetics does influence a dog’s tendency to bark. Certain breeds belonging to the terrier family are prone to more frequent barking than breeds such as Greyhounds or Basenjis. Generally, however, excess barking can exist in any breed of dog. The key to solving the problem of inappropriate barking is to determine what external stimulus is triggering the behaviour. Improper confinement can be a major cause of problem barkers.

Improper confinement can include leaving a dog alone in a locked room, or in a dog crate (a tool used for housebreaking and other behavioural modifications). Other improper confinements can include restricted tethering outdoors, or even an enclosed yard without proper shelter from the elements. Such confinement can cause frustration in a dog and cause it to bark excessively. Closely associated with improper confinement is lack of exercise as a cause of excess barking. When a dog is not provided with adequate exercise, pent-up energy is released through barking.

Environmental sounds can also trigger barking. These sounds include such things as the barking of other dogs, the sound of passing cars, strange voices, thunder, and mechanical noises such as the ringing of the phone. Noises can initiate barking at different times of the day. A dog may not bark at accustomed sounds during the day, but at night may be incited to a volley of barking, much to the chagrin of the neighbours, by the slightest of noises. Other causes of problem barking can include separation anxiety, or the temperament of the dog: an over-aggressive animal may bark at the smallest provocation. A strongly territorial dog may bark at any stranger, invited or uninvited, entering your property.

Solutions to Excess Barking

Excess barking can be a serious behavioural problem and can mean the termination of the relationship with your dog or the dog itself if left untreated. The following text includes information on how to solve your dog’s problem barking as recommended by the veterinary profession.

The first step in solving problem barking, is to determine if your dog is barking in response to inadequate shelter or improper confinement. If this is the case, the dog must be provided with a comfortable amount of space or supplied with a doghouse if outdoor shelter is inadequate. Increasing the amount of exercise given to your dog may also help.

In the event your dog is barking in response to environmental noises, or the barking is simply due to its temperament, behavioural modification methods should be used. These methods can include reconditioning using a verbal reprimand such as “No!”, and leash correction. It should be noted however, that you should never yell at your dog, as loud noises may encourage your pet to bark more. Also keep in mind the punishment should be applied while the barking is occurring, in order for your dog to associate the unwanted behaviour with the punishment. Also remember to reward your dog when it stops barking.

Indirect intervention methods can also be applied. These techniques can range from spraying your dog with water while it is barking, to using noise producing devices such as “Dog Stop” or “Barker Breaker,” which emit loud or high frequency sounds that interrupt and deter barking. These devices can be controlled by the owner, or triggered by the dog’s barking. In the event your dog is resistant to these behavioural modifications, more drastic action can be taken in the form of bark activated shock collars. This device is particularly effective when barking occurs in the owner’s absence. Shock collars, however, are recommended only after other control measures have failed. A final resort, when all other behavioural modification methods have been tried, and particularly when the dog’s life is in question, is a vocal cordectomy (debarking). This surgical procedure involves removal of all or part of the vocal cords.

The key to solving the problem of excess barking in your dog begins with an understanding of what is causing this behaviour. Once you have determined a cause, you have a greater chance of choosing the most effective solution (e.g., more exercise) or behavioural modification. Modifying such an instinctive and natural behaviour as barking can be difficult, and may require considerable patience, time, and hard work. Solutions, however, are possible, and worth the effort.

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www.pamsdogacademy.com http Easy game to keep your dog busy for a little while. Hide treats in a cupcake tin and cover with a tennis ball. Give the cue “find it” and let your dog do all the work. You do not need to spend a ton of money on puzzle games when you can make your own.

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Find tips about papillon chihuahua and mini chihuahua at the Types Of Chihuahua website.

Electronic dog training collars can be effective tools for modifying a dog’s behavior, if you use them properly. However, many people do not take the proper precautions when using these types of collars, and therefore either do not get desirable results or misuse them entirely. In this article I’ll show you the best way to use electronic dog training collars.

First, you want to make sure you get one that has adjustable settings for the amount of shock the dog will receive. It is important that when you first put the training collar on your dog, you put it on the lowest shock setting possible. It is better to work your way up until you find a shock level that will register with your dog but not cause them to go into panic, rather than start too out strong.

The strength of the shock will depend upon a number of things. First of all, it will depend upon how big of dog you have. But besides that, different dogs have different types of pain tolerance. If you shock them at a low setting and it does nothing to affect their behavior, then turn the voltage up.

However, if your dog begins to bark incessantly or go into an extreme panic then obviously, the setting is too high to be effective. And dogs will panic or bark their heads off if they get shocked too hard. They are really no different than how we would feel.

At the same time, realize what an electronic dog training collar can’t do. It is only supposed to be used to modify slight misbehaviors such as jumping up on people, chewing up the newspaper, barking at strangers and so on. It is not meant to correct overly aggressive behavior. If your dog is a threat to bite and attack people then you should not be using a dog training collar to modify the behavior. Instead, professional training will probably be needed.

Finally, make sure you are consistent with your shocks. This means that at first you need to carry the transmitter along with you at all times, even when you’re not at home. Otherwise, the dog will not necessarily associate bad behavior with getting shocked, but may think it is a random occurrence.

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We heel, lie down, and stay in Mercer County with bird dog specialist Philippe Roca. Timely training tips help acclimate our hunting companions to shotgun blasts, bumpy rides and other essentials for success in the field this fall.

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By the way, you can find out more on Electronic Dog Training Collars as well as get 10 FREE dog behavioral lessons just by going to: http://www.DogObedienceTrainingA-Z.com

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