barking is part of a dog’s nature and its way of communicating. But if your pet barks for a long time without stopping, pay attention: exaggerated barking can hide a real behavioral problem. Here’s how to train your dog to calm his barking
How normal is barking?
As with humans, there are races that are more talkative and others that are quieter. Chihuahuas, Spitz, Pugs, Appenzellers or German Shepherds are generally considered to be more talkative than, for example, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Eurasiers or Irish Greyhounds.
Even though there are considerable differences within these dog breeds, as long as the frequency of barking remains acceptable and the dogs immediately stop barking on command from their parent, all is well. However, if your dog barks at every walker and every visit and can hardly calm down, there are often other causes behind this behavior.
Why do dogs bark?
Dogs don’t bark for no reason, but to express themselves. It is therefore important to understand the causes of their barking before taking action.
For example, your dog may bark because he is happy to see you again. However, if he barks more than necessary and in situations where it is undesirable, such as when he meets other people on the street or someone walks past him, he is probably expressing negative feelings. . Insecurity, fear, frustration or boredom are the most common causes of excessive barking.
Anything that increases a dog’s excitement can also increase barking. These are, for example:
A mood shift: if you’re nervous, your dog will be too
- Heightened anticipation: You have a ball in your hand – when are you going to play with him?
- You scold him: he thinks you are “barking”
- He must go involuntarily towards a supposed “danger” and therefore his fear increases
Barking is in the dog’s nature
Guarding is in the blood of many dogs: they bark to signal an intruder into the house, whether it’s the postman or the neighbor parking his car in the driveway.
Some hunting dogs also indicate the presence of game by barking. It is therefore not surprising that they prefer to communicate more than other races. With them, the objective is therefore not to completely eliminate barking but to educate them so that they bark briefly.
Barking due to insecurity
For example, if your dog barks at other dogs or walkers and shows up loudly as soon as someone approaches you and your house, it’s usually because he’s not sure him or that he is afraid. The cause of this uncertainty is often the master.
People who are themselves nervous when they meet other dogs on a walk, or who flinch when a group of children walk in their direction transmit this feeling to their animal. They communicate to the dog that they are not in control of the situation and that they need his help.
Your dog barks because he is frustrated or bored
Another cause of constant barking can be frustration. Dogs that are frustrated, for example because they do not have enough occupations or walks and are bored, bark every time their owner enters or leaves the house, or when someone comes to them. to visit.
In the eyes of their masters, these dogs often bark for no reason. The reason for this barking is actually very obvious: the dog is trying to get your attention! He wants you to take care of him and spend time with him.
Barking due to pain
In rare cases, chronic pain and other illness-related discomforts cause barking. It is not uncommon for hypothyroidism to cause increased anxiety and stress.
Before you start trying to calm your dog’s barking, a trip to the vet is recommended. This is the only way to be sure that a disease is not the cause of the barking.
How can I stop a dog from barking?
Only if you know the reasons for his barking can you stop your dog’s barking with targeted training methods. It is important that you observe him carefully and analyze in which situations he barks. The causes can usually be deduced from these situations.
For example, if he barks at other people when they approach you, it usually means he wants to protect and defend you. If you leave the house without him, barking means
usually: “I’m bored and frustrated that I’m not allowed to come”.
Sport and games to channel it
Does your dog bark because he is often bored? You must stimulate it by making it practice physical activity. Because even companion dogs want to be challenged physically and mentally: long walks, tossing games, searching for treats and learning small commands will satisfy most of them.
If this is not enough, for example if your dog has a lot of energy and stamina, you can consider playing a dog sport. Agility, obedience, mantrailing and many more: there is a suitable sport for every athletic dog.
The activities practiced with your pet will in any case have a positive influence on your relationship. You get to know each other better and thus build a real relationship of trust. Dogs that are physically and mentally stimulated tend to be calmer and more balanced and bark less.
Give your dog a sense of security
If your pet is barking out of insecurity and fear, you need to let him know you have the situation under control. But it can take a lot of patience to establish a new relationship of trust.
Show him that you have enough confidence in yourself and that you are in control of the situation. Of course, this is not always easy and does not work immediately. The following examples show you how to get your dog to understand “you don’t have to bark, I’m in control”.
