Respect and leadership
A dog has to respect your leadership to be a happy, well-adjusted, and well-behaved pet. If your dog barks to get you to play. She is not inviting you to play. she is harassing her owner to play. In fact, I'd even say bullying. And even worse, the behavior was being reinforced by the owner's capitulation - effectively, giving in to this behavior taught her that to get what she wants, she has to make a noise - and she has to keep it up until her goal is achieved.
Obviously, affection and play-time are a part of a healthy relationship between man and dog, But you as the master should have the decision of when and where they are given. If your dog figures out, barking is the way to get things they want, you are going to a very loud relationship. This could also cause problems with your neighbors.
To prevent this bullying behavior in your dog from assuming a familiar role in her repertoire of communications, you have to prove to her that you're not the kind of person that can be manipulated so easily. It's simple to do this: all you have to do is ignore her. I'm not talking about passive ignorance, where you pay her no attention and simply continue with whatever it was you were doing - you need to take more of an active role. This means conveying to her through your body language that she is not worthy of your attention when she acts in such an undesirable manner.
When your dog barks to try to get you to do something for him or her and this behavior is unwarranted, simply turn your back to them, right away. Don't look at them, don't make eye contact, don't even say "no!", totally give then the "cold shoulder". If this means getting up and turning your back to them, than do it. This will confuse your dog for a minute, but be ready for more barking. In fact, the barking my become worse before it gets better. It only makes sense, the barking has worked for your dog in the past, why wouldn't work again.
Consistency is the key when it comes to all aspects of good dog training. When it comes to teaching your dog that you will not be manipulated by their barking ways, you must not change your mind mid way through the lesson. By doing so, you will be effectively teaching your dog to be more persistent in their barking in order to get what they want. ("It used to take me five barks to get master of the sofa, now it takes me ten barks. Okay, I can do that.") Situations where your dog is not trying to manipulate you and you just what him/her to be quiet right now, use your hands. I don't mean hitting or beating your dog into submission! This is a pain free, humane way of getting your point across that barking is not aloud that this time.
Here is what you do:
when she's barking, give her a second to 'get it out of her system' (it's a lot kinder, and a lot more effective, to give her a chance - however brief - to express herself before asking her to be quiet). If she doesn't calm down under her own steam, reach out and clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly, in your hand. She'll try to shake you off, or back away, so you can place your other hand on her collar to give you greater control. This method is useful for two reasons: firstly, it effectively silences the barking (since no dog, no matter how loud, can bark with her mouth shut!). Secondly, it reinforces your authority: you're showing her through direct physical action that you're a benevolent but firm leader who will brook no nonsense, and who won't balk when it comes to enforcing your guidance.
Make sure you hold your dogs muzzle and collar until they have accepted your authority. They have accepted your authority when they stop wiggling and trying to break free from you. Once they have calmed down hold on for one or two more seconds, then let go and give them praise. This method is a short-term fix, there are some other things we can do to cut down on the over-all barking.
The leading cause of unwanted barking(barking that is repetitive and directed at nothing) is due to pent up energy. The kind due to lack of exercise. Most dogs need an average of 90 minutes of exercise everyday, which can be quite a commitment on your behalf. This can very greatly from dog to dog, depending on breed, age and over all health of your dog. If you are exercising your dog as much as possible and he/she still seems agitated(frightened, acting more aggressively then you'd like, restless and destructive.)and barks excessively then he/she may need more exercise.
Fortunately, the fix for this problem is pretty simple: you'll just have to exercise her more. Try getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning - it'll make a big difference. If this is absolutely impossible, consider hiring someone to walk her in the mornings and/or evenings. And if this is impossible too, then you'll just have to resign yourself to having a loud, frustrated, and agitated dog (although whether you can resign her to this state remains to be seen).
Too much 'alone time' is another common cause of excessive barking. Dogs are social animals: they require a lot of interaction, attention and communication. With out these things, a dog can get anxious and edgy. If your at home and not paying enough attention to your dog, and he/she spends a lot of time barking at what appears to be nothing, it might be time for a good dose of tender loving care. - 29953
A dog has to respect your leadership to be a happy, well-adjusted, and well-behaved pet. If your dog barks to get you to play. She is not inviting you to play. she is harassing her owner to play. In fact, I'd even say bullying. And even worse, the behavior was being reinforced by the owner's capitulation - effectively, giving in to this behavior taught her that to get what she wants, she has to make a noise - and she has to keep it up until her goal is achieved.
Obviously, affection and play-time are a part of a healthy relationship between man and dog, But you as the master should have the decision of when and where they are given. If your dog figures out, barking is the way to get things they want, you are going to a very loud relationship. This could also cause problems with your neighbors.
To prevent this bullying behavior in your dog from assuming a familiar role in her repertoire of communications, you have to prove to her that you're not the kind of person that can be manipulated so easily. It's simple to do this: all you have to do is ignore her. I'm not talking about passive ignorance, where you pay her no attention and simply continue with whatever it was you were doing - you need to take more of an active role. This means conveying to her through your body language that she is not worthy of your attention when she acts in such an undesirable manner.
When your dog barks to try to get you to do something for him or her and this behavior is unwarranted, simply turn your back to them, right away. Don't look at them, don't make eye contact, don't even say "no!", totally give then the "cold shoulder". If this means getting up and turning your back to them, than do it. This will confuse your dog for a minute, but be ready for more barking. In fact, the barking my become worse before it gets better. It only makes sense, the barking has worked for your dog in the past, why wouldn't work again.
Consistency is the key when it comes to all aspects of good dog training. When it comes to teaching your dog that you will not be manipulated by their barking ways, you must not change your mind mid way through the lesson. By doing so, you will be effectively teaching your dog to be more persistent in their barking in order to get what they want. ("It used to take me five barks to get master of the sofa, now it takes me ten barks. Okay, I can do that.") Situations where your dog is not trying to manipulate you and you just what him/her to be quiet right now, use your hands. I don't mean hitting or beating your dog into submission! This is a pain free, humane way of getting your point across that barking is not aloud that this time.
Here is what you do:
when she's barking, give her a second to 'get it out of her system' (it's a lot kinder, and a lot more effective, to give her a chance - however brief - to express herself before asking her to be quiet). If she doesn't calm down under her own steam, reach out and clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly, in your hand. She'll try to shake you off, or back away, so you can place your other hand on her collar to give you greater control. This method is useful for two reasons: firstly, it effectively silences the barking (since no dog, no matter how loud, can bark with her mouth shut!). Secondly, it reinforces your authority: you're showing her through direct physical action that you're a benevolent but firm leader who will brook no nonsense, and who won't balk when it comes to enforcing your guidance.
Make sure you hold your dogs muzzle and collar until they have accepted your authority. They have accepted your authority when they stop wiggling and trying to break free from you. Once they have calmed down hold on for one or two more seconds, then let go and give them praise. This method is a short-term fix, there are some other things we can do to cut down on the over-all barking.
The leading cause of unwanted barking(barking that is repetitive and directed at nothing) is due to pent up energy. The kind due to lack of exercise. Most dogs need an average of 90 minutes of exercise everyday, which can be quite a commitment on your behalf. This can very greatly from dog to dog, depending on breed, age and over all health of your dog. If you are exercising your dog as much as possible and he/she still seems agitated(frightened, acting more aggressively then you'd like, restless and destructive.)and barks excessively then he/she may need more exercise.
Fortunately, the fix for this problem is pretty simple: you'll just have to exercise her more. Try getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning - it'll make a big difference. If this is absolutely impossible, consider hiring someone to walk her in the mornings and/or evenings. And if this is impossible too, then you'll just have to resign yourself to having a loud, frustrated, and agitated dog (although whether you can resign her to this state remains to be seen).
Too much 'alone time' is another common cause of excessive barking. Dogs are social animals: they require a lot of interaction, attention and communication. With out these things, a dog can get anxious and edgy. If your at home and not paying enough attention to your dog, and he/she spends a lot of time barking at what appears to be nothing, it might be time for a good dose of tender loving care. - 29953
About the Author:
To learn more about dog training basics Stop by Matt Closson's site where you can find out all about leash training a dog and how you can get a free 6 day training course.
