ARE YOU ANNOYED BY CONSTANTLY BARKING DOGS? THESE ARE POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS
Barking is one of the dog's communication tools. But when the neighbors start writing messages in your mailbox to "do something about that noisy dog", the communication is too much. The first step is to find out why the dog is barking excessively, then you will choose a solution accordingly and your neighborly relations will be in harmony again.
Possible reasons for excessive barking:
Boredom
Most dogs were bred for a specific job in the past. By nature, it is in their nature to be constantly in a sled. Therefore, one of the simplest explanations for why your furry friend is constantly barking at home is boredom. In short, he doesn't know how to entertain himself and barking seems like a good idea to pass the time. Try to make your walks longer, play with your dog longer or buy him dog puzzles.
Demanding attention
Now think about how you react when your dog just starts barking? Do you yell at him to be quiet? Do you do it like this every time and the dog won't stop? In fact, you have been rewarding him with your attention all the time, thus getting the dog used to the fact that barking is correct. Try to ignore the barking for a while and not react to it. After that, when the fur is quiet for a while, that's the right moment for the reward.
Enthusiasm
Some doggies express their joy by barking. You go for the leash and the dog starts barking excitedly that morning? Are you making him a meal and he's barking the whole time? Such a loud expression of joy is harder to unlearn because it is a reaction to routine activities. As in the previous case, reward the dog only when he calms down. For example, if you take the leash and he barks that time, put the leash down again. This will let him know that when he barks, he will not go on the desired walk. The moment you reach for the leash again and the dog is suddenly quiet, you can go outside.
Anxiety/fear
Unfortunately, constant barking can also have more serious reasons. Many dogs are vocal all the time when they are home alone. It is usually a symptom of separation anxiety, which should not be underestimated. You can contact a dog trainer with this problem or read our tips on how to help a dog with anxiety to get started.
Sounds and smells
Sometimes it may seem to you that your dog is just barking at nothing. A dog's senses, especially hearing and smell, are much more sensitive than human ones. Therefore, they can feel or hear something that humans are unable to perceive. It may therefore happen that the dog wants to alert you to something similar by barking.
Change in health status
If you notice that the barking is accompanied by other changes in behavior, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem. For example, aging dogs sometimes react this way to impaired hearing or vision.
Once you figure out why the dog keeps barking, it's important to adjust the training accordingly. For example, if you have found out that this is how the furry is talking to himself for attention, one of the methods of unlearning is to ignore him. Whereas, if the dog is barking because it has a health problem, it is necessary to start dealing with it as soon as possible.
Possible reasons for excessive barking:
Boredom
Most dogs were bred for a specific job in the past. By nature, it is in their nature to be constantly in a sled. Therefore, one of the simplest explanations for why your furry friend is constantly barking at home is boredom. In short, he doesn't know how to entertain himself and barking seems like a good idea to pass the time. Try to make your walks longer, play with your dog longer or buy him dog puzzles.
Demanding attention
Now think about how you react when your dog just starts barking? Do you yell at him to be quiet? Do you do it like this every time and the dog won't stop? In fact, you have been rewarding him with your attention all the time, thus getting the dog used to the fact that barking is correct. Try to ignore the barking for a while and not react to it. After that, when the fur is quiet for a while, that's the right moment for the reward.
Enthusiasm
Some doggies express their joy by barking. You go for the leash and the dog starts barking excitedly that morning? Are you making him a meal and he's barking the whole time? Such a loud expression of joy is harder to unlearn because it is a reaction to routine activities. As in the previous case, reward the dog only when he calms down. For example, if you take the leash and he barks that time, put the leash down again. This will let him know that when he barks, he will not go on the desired walk. The moment you reach for the leash again and the dog is suddenly quiet, you can go outside.
Anxiety/fear
Unfortunately, constant barking can also have more serious reasons. Many dogs are vocal all the time when they are home alone. It is usually a symptom of separation anxiety, which should not be underestimated. You can contact a dog trainer with this problem or read our tips on how to help a dog with anxiety to get started.
Sounds and smells
Sometimes it may seem to you that your dog is just barking at nothing. A dog's senses, especially hearing and smell, are much more sensitive than human ones. Therefore, they can feel or hear something that humans are unable to perceive. It may therefore happen that the dog wants to alert you to something similar by barking.
Change in health status
If you notice that the barking is accompanied by other changes in behavior, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem. For example, aging dogs sometimes react this way to impaired hearing or vision.
Once you figure out why the dog keeps barking, it's important to adjust the training accordingly. For example, if you have found out that this is how the furry is talking to himself for attention, one of the methods of unlearning is to ignore him. Whereas, if the dog is barking because it has a health problem, it is necessary to start dealing with it as soon as possible.
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