Positive Training for Your Barking Dog

They say 'a barking dog doesn't bite' but I am'that's it' as soon as his woofing increases and
yet to meet anyone who hasn't been convincedimmediately plop a cookie into his mouth, he won't
otherwise every time some fine specimen of thehave a choice but to stop, food has often made
canine family has bared its fangs and snarled andthe best of men seal their lips so what's a dog!
yelped. Dogs and barking dogs, if you ask myNow that that routine is final repeat it a couple of
opinion, are two different species all together andtimes. Next time he barks to let you know the
while the first can be petted and cuddled andmailman's at your door praise him heartily and
given biscuits to the latter can only be run awaythen sternly ask him to shut up with a 'enough' or
from.'that's it' (remember to use the same command
Most barking dogs are quiet the activity master,to avoid confusing him) and give him a cookie.
every time they open their mouth they makeOnce this regime settles in your dog will soon pick
something happen, either your mailman leaves, orup what "enough" or "that's it" means. In case he
your neighbor shuts his window and oh yes, yellsdoesn't and continues to bark despite your
out something nasty or your head splits into acommand give a sharp tug on his collar and say
thousand aching pieces, like I said they are quite"Enough" in a rebuking, no-nonsense voice. He will
the activist. Unfortunately for them thoughsoon learn that that's his cue to stop. Now this
activism isn't as a rule appreciated by the averagetraining will take a good number of weeks to
idle individual, to survive amongst humans you arereally start working. However make sure you
expected to be as on leash as themselves. Thusdon't give up mid way. A few dogs are by nature
all barking dogs need to be quieted and difficulta little fond of barking and making noise so these
though that task is it needs to be done.will take more doing than the others.
Now, for starters, recognize the fact that barkingWhile training consider if his misbehavior has
in itself is not a problem. Dogs bark, just like catsanything to do with his feeling depressed or left
mew and people make promises....it's justout. Dogs are very sensitive psychologically and
something they do when they want somethinglittle things which you might not even notice might
done. For instance they bark to tell you that theyaffect them. See if you are leaving your dog
are hungry at dinnertime or to let you know thatalone too long, or if he is going hungry, if you
there is someone at the door etc. and on all thesekeep him outside in his kennel at night bring him to
occasions barking is fine and in fact appreciated. Itsleep indoors for a few days and see if there is
begins to become a problem however when yourany change in his attitude.
dog refuses to stop barking despite your tellingBarking dogs are in many ways like cranky crying
him to. Thus the job in hand is not to shut yourbabies (except the fangs and teeth part though)
dog up completely but to teach him to shut upand they need proper attitude training to bring
when you ask him to.them back to acceptable track, but they also
So begin your training with a simple command likeneed good time and attention and loving, so make
'speak' or 'bark' and pat him and give him a cookiesure your training is a right mix of all of these.
when he woofs a bit. Now tell him 'enough' or