Does this annoy you or, if he does so in your absence, are repeated complaints from your neighbours beginning to irritate you?

Barking is a natural communication tool for your dog but when it becomes a problem, you must intervene.

Following are a few ideas which may help you understand the correct the excessive barker.

First of all, you must realize that many problem cases are caused by owners who encourage their puppy to “guard” his territory by barking; they are wrong to believe that he will thus become a good guard dog. It is when the dog is still very young that he must be taught when he can or cannot bark.

Here is what you can do: Call the barking dog and slowly check what is exciting him. When he has no reason to be barking, return to your seat with the dog beside you, without signifying your approval. This will calm him and neutralize the importance of the situation which provoked him to bark. However, if the situation justifies his barking, encourage him by vigorously petting him and saying “good dog”. This is how he will become a good guard dog.

Most importantly, do not scream louder than he is barking! He will continue to bark… in your absence and you will end up with an even harder problem to solve.

Chronic barking
It is more difficult to correct the behaviour of a dog who barks in your absence. He must first of all obey you. Since he is constantly seeking your approval, it is by tugging at his heartstrings that you will be successful.

1. When the dog wishes to attract your attention, insist that he sits first before paying any attention to him. Everyone in the house must do the same.
2. Stop petting the animal at length. Contacts must be energetic and brief.
3. To put a stop to the barking, you must know when he starts to bark. Depending on the moment, use the following routine before going to work, when returning from work as well as on your days off:

   • Get ready as usual but sit in silence for 5 minutes in the spot where you leave the dog. Pay no attention to him. Leave without saying a single word and in such a way that the dog will believe that you are truly gone.
   • Return without his knowing and stand outside, near a window, a door or a fence.
   • You must distract the dog when he begins to bark by hitting the window once or elsewhere, behind the dog, without him being able to see or smell your presence.
   • Remain quiet and repeat this process until the dog calms down. You will thus gradually correct the situation. After using this method for six weeks, you should be the owner of a dependable dog who never barks for no reason but who is ready to warn you if a real danger occurs.

It is preferable not to encourage a puppy to bark for a cookie or any other kind of reward since this behaviour will be very difficult to correct later on if it becomes annoying. Remember that punishing a dog will do nothing but reinforce this behaviour since the puppy will have achieved his goal of attracting your attention.

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