07 May
Barking
Barking is a means of communication used by dogs. Dogs bark for a number of reasons. The main thing is that you can stop your dog barking when you are with her and that she does not bark excessively when you are not at home.
How to teach your dog to stop barking
When your dog barks at noises, dogs, people or when visitors arrive etc, you should thank her – this is rewarding her for telling you of the danger (this is her role in the pack).
If your dog does not stop barking when you say thank you, take hold of her collar calmly and put her in time out (read previous news item for the time out procedure) for 3 minutes (making sure she is quiet before you let her out), then let her out without saying anything.
Your dog will learn to follow your lead as to whether the potential danger is a threat or not. She will learn to stop barking when you tell her to so that she avoids going into time out.
If your dog barks at you for attention, when she gets over-excited, or during play ignore her until she calms down. (If she keeps barking at you put her in time out).
If she barks because she is frightened of something, move her away from what is frightening her.
If your dog barks excessively when you are not at home read the news item on Separation Anxiety.