Von Liphier Dobermann

Dog barking is a problematic issue and regularly a massive source of stress between neighbors. For anyone, a dog barking is a horrible noise to hear for even the shortest time period and you can understand that when the dog next door barks off and on for a long time like a defective automobile alarm, it is sufficient to try anyone's patience. What we often overlook is that the dog will be barking for a reason (as far as they're aware) and it's probably just as unsettling for the dog who is experiencing the fear or anxiety.

Finding out what sets off your dogs barking can be the hardest part of the issue as dogs can bark at the slightest of things. External noise, for example somebody walking past your home will start some dogs barking , however, even within the house, some dog owners find they can't leave their dog in a room on their own without them becoming hysterical and barking the place down, and the door bell or phone is frequently the cue for an outburst of barking.

Anxiety regularly lies behind a dogs excessive barking, even though on the face of it, it can look more like aggression. So to stop dog barking we need to beginby dealing with any anxiety problems, which will automatically reduce our dogs need to bark.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety affects more than 15 percent of dogs (and some reports says as much as 50%). The anxiety results in several behavioural symptoms from a dog pacing the floor, to chewing everything in sight as well as other destructive behaviour. Dog separation anxiety is virtually always the cause of a dog barking too much when left home on their own.

Reducing anxiety in dogs can be a lengthy process, depending on how severe the symptoms are and will need both time and patience on your part. Once you've worked out the triggers that set off the anxiety you'll be able to use desensitisation training to help your dog.

Leading the Pack

Closely linked to separation anxiety is pack leadership. As a pack animal, dogs instincts tell them there should be a pack leader, one who is responsible for the security of the rest of its clan. If one of its charges goes missing, barking is one technique of helping them to find their way back. Clever stuff, but then if we stop and realize the dog could believe itself to be the responsible member of the pack, what does it feel when everyone goes out, locks the door and leaves them in the house on their own?

Excessive barking in dogs is much like any anxious parents reaction to a kid that has gone missing. In our anxiety we would scream at the very top of our voice in they hope that they can hear us and come running back, so too a dog will try and let the missing pack members know how to find their way home. This is also why dogs will scratch wildly at the door or window, because they would like to get out and come and find you.

How To Stop Dogs Barking

One of the best ways to stop dogs barking is to take back the responsibility for the pack from the dog by showing them you're the pack leaders and the ones to be trusted.

That doesn't mean using gizmos like the shock collar each time your dog is barking (why punish a dog for doing what it thinks is its job?) or removing its vocal chords (does it change the dog's mind about its responsibility?) Neither does it mean you've got to dominate your dog by pinning it down or pushing it around. Leadership can be established by showing your dog that you are the decision maker, for example by always making them sit and wait for their food and only begin eating when you give the say so.

It could seem like a roundabout way to stop dog barking, but by coping with both dog separation anxiety and leadership issues you are much more likely to bring peace to the household and the neighbourhood too.