Here’s my latest article, on Barking. Enjoy! – C. Mills
Why Dogs Bark and What to do About it
Although dogs do not speak, they do have a wide array of communication skills. They whine, howl, whimper, cry, yodel, scream, snarl and growl. Some even bay. If you are a dog owner, your faithful companion most likely uses its ability to bark to communicate with you, unless, of course, you have a Basenji Hound, otherwise known as the “barkless” dog.
The authors of The Perfect Puppy, Benjamin and Lynette Hart, have taken the time to make a chart ranking dog breeds from the least offensive barkers to the most offensive barkers. The breeds that ranked as most likely to bark when they should not be barking are Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Fox Terriers, Beagles and West Highland Terrier.
Some breeds, according to the Harts’ Chart, are much less likely to bark inappropriately, like the Akita, the Rottweiler, the Malamute and… the Great Dane. But don’t believe everything you read. Great Danes do bark when they shouldn’t and I can prove it. I have one. There has to be a better word than “bark” to describe what Hemingway does. It is more like a deep vocal blast that can be heard and felt by the whole neighborhood. Dogs hear very well, but Hemi must have super powers. He hears EVERYTHING. His ears are attuned to anything that sounds like a doorbell. A “ping”, whether it be from the computer or the sound a spoon makes against a bowl can trigger his barking. He can be curled up in a small ball, snoring away but then wake up just to bark at something he heard.
What can you do about excessive and often irritating barking? The first step is to determine why your dog is barking (no, it is not part of a master plan to get revenge). Once you’ve determined the cause, you are better able to control the behavior. Barking generally falls into five different categories.
Boredom barking happens when a dog is left alone often and doesn’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Boredom barkers might bark just to hear the sound of their own voice and to release excess energy. For under stimulated dogs, barking has become a fun activity to do. Dogs are like kids. If you don’t give them something exciting to do, they entertain themselves—often in ways we don’t appreciate. So, step up the doggie workouts and get out the puzzles. There are countless ways to add enrichment to your dog’s life.
Separation anxiety barking is characterized by constant home-alone barking usually coupled with other behaviors such as house soiling, visible anxiety upon departure and arrival, and destruction around doors and windows. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, barking is a symptom of the underlying anxiety, which is what needs to be addressed. Call a professional right away if you think your dog suffers from separation anxiety.
Barrier frustration barking often comes with posturing such as snarling or baring of teeth. This type of barking is most seen in dogs left in a backyard too long, dogs in cars, or dogs on leash that would be perfectly comfortable with whatever they are barking at (most often other dogs) if they were off leash.
If your dog is very social, have him spend more time playing with other dogs and less time barking behind a barrier. Not-so-social dogs first need to learn to enjoy other dogs. In the meantime, avoid unsupervised time in the yard or car. In either case, always give your dog a treat when he sees another dog but can’t say hi.
Demand barking occurs in dogs that have learned that barking gets them what they want—balls thrown, doors opened, dinner, or attention. To curb demand barking, immediately stop rewarding the barking. Ignore your dog or walk away when he barks. Pick times when he is quiet, tell him “Nice quiet” and pet or treat him. If your dog barks when you work at the computer or talk on the phone, preempt his behavior. Settle him in his crate or on his bed with a toy or stuffed Kong before you sit down to work.
Demand barking is the simplest type of barking to fix. Dogs do what works. If barking for attention no longer works, they will no longer do it. Though the solution is simple, it is not necessarily easy. It may require a lot of patience on your part.
Watchdog barking is triggered by sights and sounds such as passersby, slamming car doors, or a cat on the lawn. Watchdog barkers were sentries in a previous life. Teach your dog to respond to noises by getting a toy or barking once, then coming to find you. Keep blinds closed and don’t put your dog’s bed or his confinement area anywhere near a window or bay door. Crating your dog can be a great way to signal to him that he can take time off from his patrol duties. My dog Everest is a great watchdog. He has been taught to warn once or twice, and then to stop. We certainly don`t mind the discreet alert that someone is walking up our driveway. I can also tell, by his bark, if it is someone we know or if it is a stranger. A “wooo wooo!” is someone he knows and loves. Watchdog barking is not something that I want to fix. I like having dogs that guard the house and alert me to anything suspicious. It is certainly a more effective deterrent than our alarm system.
As for Hemingway and his eardrum busting, earth shattering WOOFS, training him has been a big project requiring a lot of patience, exercise, kindness, and love. Our hard work is paying off. Every day I am seeing a more polite and calmer dog. When we tell him “No Bark”, he now understands and will stop barking. He also loves to grab a toy or shoe and walk around with it as an alternative to barking. We may have difficulty finding our shoes some days, but at least our eardrums are intact.
