Stop Your Dog From Barking Excessively
All dogs bark sometimes. It is their chief mode of communication but when a dog barks excessively it is frustrating for everyone. Some breeds bark more than others but all dogs bark at times.
Dogs will bark excessively for a variety of reasons. If your dog spends all day long in the house or in the same yard he may be barking excessively because he is bored. Dogs love exercise and interacting with people. Dogs also enjoy social stimulation, as they are pack animals. If your dog is barking out of boredom try going on more walks or incorporating more playtimes throughout the day
Being overly nervous or frightened will also prompt a dog to start barking excessively. Properly socialized dogs tend to be calmer and more relaxed around different people and in different situations but a dog that is not used to new things can start barking out of anxiety. Start socializing your dog by taking him to new and different places and into different situations. Offer him praise and rewards when he is quiet and well behaved and soon he will will be less nervous as he will associate the pleasing treat with the situation rather than nervousness.
Dogs will bark to get your attention and this is one way to communicate. However, if you respond to barking every time you are just teaching your dog to bark more. Try to get him to communicate in different ways and reinforce that behavior with praise and treats. He can rub on your leg if he wants to go out just as easily as he can bark at you!
Sometimes your dog will bark excessively because you have left home and you are not with him. This barking from separation anxiety is disruptive to the neighbors and others so it is wise to try to eliminate it. Start when he is a puppy and crate him when you leave so he can learn to be happy in his own space. Also never make a big deal out of leaving home but rather just sneak away quietly. He may never know that you are gone and if he does he will not be so loud about it.
Dogs also bark to offer the people they love protection. This is a good thing, unless it happens all the time when the mailman (or mail person!) brings you the mail. In that case you should spend some time training and socializing your dog. Introduce your dog to the mailman; if you are there he should not feel threatened. Offer him treats and praise for good behavior. Hopefully, he will get to know the mailman and stop barking every single day. Do not try to alleviate the barking in the case of all people though as there may come a time when you will be grateful for your dog’s protective bark.
You can find dog training videos that can give you some tips and techniques to curb excessive barking but sometimes just more socialization and more playtimes will help stop the excessive barking. The one thing you should consider though is that your dog is often barking for a reason and you should find out what that reason is. Then you can deal with the barking.
Dogs who only bark at appropriate times are much less annoying than dogs that bark excessively. Start training your dog away from excessive barking while he is still a pup and when he is all grown up you will know when he barks he has a good reason.
