Before starting any training, it is necessary to understand the cause behind inappropriate barking behavior in your pet. Often changing the way you take care of your dog works to prevents excessive barking.
Excessive barking is one of the many behavioral problems that dog owners find annoying. Although barking of dogs is considered to be normal, it can become unbearable when your pet dog barks excessively. In some dogs, continuous barking becomes a habit over time. However, with some dog behavior training techniques, you can easily stop your dog from barking excessively.
Why do Dogs Bark?
Lack of physical activity makes the dog frustrated which may result in unwanted barking. Dogs that are lonely and confined to one place for a long time naturally get bored and are likely to bark more. In some cases, if the dog feels neglected, it may get irritated and bark unnecessarily to grab the owner’s attention. Dogs in pain and sick are also likely to bark excessively. So, once the actual reason is figured out, you can take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Strategies in Dog Behavior Training
Correcting behavior in young puppies is much simpler than in adult dogs. So, dog behavior training should start as early as possible. Inappropriate dog barking is something that cannot be stopped in a day or two. It may take months to stop the relentless barking. In order to control this unwanted behavior, ensure that the dog is getting a daily dose of exercise.
Taking the dog for long walks every morning will not only keep him fit and fine but also improve his emotional health. It will make your dog aware of the surrounding environment which is also a good form of exercise. Places like local dog parks will allow your dog to socialize with other dogs. Regular exercise to your dog can help him to get sound sleep, thus putting some control over his barking habit. While you are away for quite some time, you can keep the dog busy by giving it some interesting toys so that the dog does not feel lonely. It is necessary that you spend some quality time with your dog regularly. This will make the dog realize that there is no need to bark to catch your attention.
Obedience Training for Dogs
A well-trained obedient dog is what every dog owner wants. Basic dog obedience training is crucial to keep the animal away from unwanted barking, growls and bites at the visitors. Obedience training involves making the dog obey certain commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’ and ‘recall’. This in turn can help curb excessive barking in dogs. You can reward your dog with some delicious treats whenever he follows your commands promptly. Many owners find it difficult to control barking of some dog breeds. However, the method for training dogs not to bark, is the same for all – to discourage habitual barking and encourage positive behavior.
A bark control aid can also be useful to stop chronic barking. It is a training tool that is designed to address this serious problem. There are different types of bark control aids, such as the electronic bark control collars and spray collars available in the market. Dog collars do not cause any harm and help to correct problematic behavior in dogs. However, these control aids should be used along with the training program, and the owner should not depend completely on these tools to stop abnormal behavior in dogs. Activities like adequate exercise and proper socialization are also a must.
