Does your dog bark at:
- Other dogs
- Cars
- “Ghosts” (like things YOU can’t see or hear)
- Just about anything?
I can help you turn your dog into a calm and quiet pet.
We all understand when your dog is a “barker” it can be quite concerning and even stressful… You also don’t want to see your best-friend get worked up over something totally unnecessary like another dog, cat, car, or even an old lady walking by.
You can also tell that your little friend is agitated and stressed out, when you understand there might be nothing to be concerned about. Consider another dog walking by your house or person on a bicycle riding by your house. Neither are a threat to your dog or your property.
There are different approaches to having your dog stop barking.
- You can yell at them to stop barking.
- This shouldn’t need too much explaining why it doesn’t work well
- Unless your dog does well with obedience once they start barking at something it will be very difficult to call them away from it. They have already get into the protective or scared zone… They probably can’t be talked down from it.
- You might sound like a cheerleader and be encouraging them.
- You drag them out of the window or away from whatever it is that is setting them off.
- This might be a quick temporary fix, but they probably won’t learn anything and you might in fact be making the situation worse.
- Of course keeping safety in mind, if you think you or your dog is in danger, move away from the situation as fast as possible.
- Keep in mind, your goal (second to safety) is teaching or training your dog.
- Pulling or holding your dog back from something want want to do is more likely than not going to increase their desire for the item and pump up their frustration because of their inability to get it. This is seen all the time in police k9 training.
- Watch a Police K9 Demo, there is a person in a very thickly padded “bite suit” (decoy) waiting for the police officer to release the dog so the dog can run up and bite them. Look closely to the dog being held back and you will see they are using a harness (just like a dog uses to pull a sled). Harnesses offer very little discomfort to the dog regardless of how hard they pull (that is why they make walking a pet dog so much more difficult).
- Being held back with the harness tends to build up the dogs frustration and desire… Exactly what we don’t want for a pet. Pets should be calm and relaxed, not concerned with chasing and pouncing on anything that moves.
- What I think works best is to get between the problem and your dog and convey to your dog that you are taking care of the problem so they don’t have to.
- If the dog is in the window barking at something outside, do your best to get between the window and your dog and move the dog back without touching them.
- The idea is to show the dog that you are taking care of whatever is outside and they can move back away from the window and let you handle things from now on.
- Many times dogs want to alert their leaders of threats and concerns. Once they pass on the problem to you, they can go back to what they were doing. Eventually they will be less and less concerned with what is going on outside.
Dogs respond to leadership and that’s because dogs evolved from wolves, who function in packs – with a hierarchy. When you understand this, you can start to communicate with your dog in their language… Once they understand what you want, your relationship will move forward quickly.
And when YOU’RE the leader in your dog’s eyes they will listen to you… and since they won’t be taking a responsible role in the relationship, they will spend more time being calm and relaxed.
To become the leader, you do NOT have to be aggressive or forceful with your dog…
You simply have to follow certain rules and habits.
The leader controls the food (most dog owners have no idea that every time they’re feeding their dog, they’re making a critical mistake, which makes their dog think they’re in charge!)
The leader takes care of any danger (if your dog barks and doesn’t stop when you call, it’s because you don’t know how to communicate your leadership). Read above.
Everything must be on the leaders terms (if your dog doesn’t come when you call, acts aggressive or excited around others… then it’s because you’re letting your dog run the show – without even knowing it!)
Walking – (walking is like leading your dog on an adventure) If you’re demonstrating leadership qualities on your walk, your pup will think you are the one in charge.
Do your best to follow these concepts and your dog will see you as the leader and listen to you better.
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