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