Most
dogs get noisy when exposed to anything new or unusual. The stimuli that trigger
noise can vary for dogs and includes barking, whining, growling, or howling. Many
situations can lead to barking:
*
Strangers or other animals entering the dog's property
* Sight of prey, such
as a squirrel
* Separation from their pack, mother, or family members
* Novel sounds, such as a smoke alarm
* Need for attention, food, or affection
* Other anxieties or high states of arousal
Growling
is associated with fearful or assertive displays. Whenever growling or barking
is successful at achieving the pet's goals, the dog feels rewarded. Subsequently,
the growling will likely become more frequent or intense.
Medical
problems can contribute to vocalization, and senile changes may lead to barking
problems in older pets. In some cases where barking becomes intense, repetitive,
and difficult to interrupt, it may be deemed compulsive. Pets with medical, geriatric,
and compulsive disorders may benefit from drug therapy along with behavioral retraining
techniques.
Prevention
Starts Early
Socializing puppies to a variety of new people, animals,
environments, and noises can reduce anxieties as the dog grows up. Owner control,
training, and leadership are also essential. While young, the dog should learn
to spend time playing or relaxing by itself so that it's not too distressed when
it must be left alone.
Correcting
Bad Habits
Correcting a barking problem requires an understanding of the
situations and stimuli that initiate barking. Until effective control and leadership
is established, training programs are unlikely to be successful. Once you have
effective control over your dog, you can begin to train it to quiet down when
barking begins. Training the dog to stop barking on command can be accomplished
with lure-reward techniques, disruption techniques, or head halter and leash training.
Begin
training sessions with situations that are easily controlled (a family member
knocking at the door) before proceeding to more difficult situations (a stranger
coming to the door). Training a dog to be quiet on command allows it to continue
to bark at stimuli but stop at your request. Rewards are then given for quiet
behavior. At each subsequent training session the dog should remain quiet a little
longer before the reward is given. Teaching a dog to stop all barking in the presence
of the stimulus is much more difficult. To be successful, barking must be interrupted
immediately as it begins, and the process repeated until the dog does not bark
at the stimulus (at which time it can be rewarded).
Punishment
is generally ineffective in the control and correction of barking problems. Excessive
punishment can increase anxiety and further aggravate the problem, while insufficient
punishment merely rewards the behavior by providing attention. For punishment
to be effective, barking must be disrupted at the instant it begins, using a technique
or device that effectively interrupts the barking. When you are not present as
barking begins, the only solution might be to use bark-activated products. But
unless the dog is also trained to be quiet in the presence of the stimulus, devices
will only disrupt, not eliminate barking habits.
Practical
Products
There are several products that may successfully interrupt barking.
Owner-activated devices are often effective at disrupting barking and achieving
a quiet response. Devices include ultrasonic trainers, audible alarms, water sprayers,
and shake cans (empty soda can with coins or pebbles sealed inside).
Bark
activated products are often the most practical means of deterring inappropriate
barking, and may be a better choice than owner-activated devices since they ensure
immediate and accurate timing. They are also effective in training the dog to
stop barking in selected areas. Off-collar, bark-activated alarms or water sprayers
are useful for training the dog to cease barking in specific locations. Bark-activated
collars are practical when barking does not occur in a single, specific location.
Audible and ultrasonic collars are occasionally effective but seldom a reliable
deterrent. Citronella-spraying collars are effective with most dogs. Electronic
shock collars are a final option. Since they have the potential for injury or
abuse, discuss this option with your veterinarian.
As
soon as the barking ceases, take the opportunity to direct the dog into appropriate
behavior, such as play, so the problem diminishes over time.
~By
Wayne L. Hunthausen, DVM, and Gary M. Landsberg, DVM
Courtesy American Animal
Hospital Association, www.HealthyPet.com
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