| 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 convinced | | | | immediately plop a cookie into his mouth, he won't |
| otherwise every time some fine specimen of the | | | | have a choice but to stop, food has often made |
| canine family has bared its fangs and snarled and | | | | the best of men seal their lips so what's a dog! |
| yelped. Dogs and barking dogs, if you ask my | | | | Now that that routine is final repeat it a couple of |
| opinion, are two different species all together and | | | | times. Next time he barks to let you know the |
| while the first can be petted and cuddled and | | | | mailman's at your door praise him heartily and |
| given biscuits to the latter can only be run away | | | | then 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 make | | | | Once this regime settles in your dog will soon pick |
| something happen, either your mailman leaves, or | | | | up what "enough" or "that's it" means. In case he |
| your neighbor shuts his window and oh yes, yells | | | | doesn't and continues to bark despite your |
| out something nasty or your head splits into a | | | | command 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 though | | | | soon learn that that's his cue to stop. Now this |
| activism isn't as a rule appreciated by the average | | | | training will take a good number of weeks to |
| idle individual, to survive amongst humans you are | | | | really start working. However make sure you |
| expected to be as on leash as themselves. Thus | | | | don't give up mid way. A few dogs are by nature |
| all barking dogs need to be quieted and difficult | | | | a 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 barking | | | | While training consider if his misbehavior has |
| in itself is not a problem. Dogs bark, just like cats | | | | anything to do with his feeling depressed or left |
| mew and people make promises....it's just | | | | out. Dogs are very sensitive psychologically and |
| something they do when they want something | | | | little things which you might not even notice might |
| done. For instance they bark to tell you that they | | | | affect them. See if you are leaving your dog |
| are hungry at dinnertime or to let you know that | | | | alone too long, or if he is going hungry, if you |
| there is someone at the door etc. and on all these | | | | keep him outside in his kennel at night bring him to |
| occasions barking is fine and in fact appreciated. It | | | | sleep indoors for a few days and see if there is |
| begins to become a problem however when your | | | | any change in his attitude. |
| dog refuses to stop barking despite your telling | | | | Barking dogs are in many ways like cranky crying |
| him to. Thus the job in hand is not to shut your | | | | babies (except the fangs and teeth part though) |
| dog up completely but to teach him to shut up | | | | and 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 like | | | | need good time and attention and loving, so make |
| 'speak' or 'bark' and pat him and give him a cookie | | | | sure your training is a right mix of all of these. |
| when he woofs a bit. Now tell him 'enough' or | | | | |