This is a very common problem, so if you’re the embarrassed owner of a very vocal dog, know that you’re not alone!
Let’s break down the problem, and come to a solution.
Dogs bark. It’s part of who they are and it’s a very natural thing for them to do.
Why do dogs bark?
There are different kinds of barks. Pay attention to your dog and you’ll notice excited barking, perhaps when you bring out their favourite toy. There’s also frustrated barking, maybe when you put them in a fenced yard and walk away. And then there’s danger barking, when they bark out the window, through the fence, or at people on the walk.
The most common type of barking is danger barking. This is usually the most frustrating type for dog owners.
The main reason for danger barking is to protect the house and the family, to alert everyone to possible danger, and to tell the intruder or stressor to go away.
When we break it down, the root of all danger barking is fear.
I’m not saying that your barking dog is trembling and hiding under the bed in fear. I’m saying that the root of the barking is some level of fear of the thing they are barking at. That’s why they are barking at it.
So what is your dog trainer going to do to help you solve this problem?
Is your dog trainer going to recommend a shock collar to silence the dog? I hope not, as that takes away the voice of the dog, they don’t feel heard or valued. They don’t feel safe or understood.
Is your dog trainer going to tell you to shout at your dog? Hopefully not. Your dog doesn’t understand what you’re shouting. He’ll either think, “Oh good, now we are all barking!” and keep barking. Or, your shouting will make him feel even more afraid.
Is your dog trainer going to tell you to punish barking with some other means, perhaps with a corrective tug on the leash? This is pretty common, but not ideal. Proper dog training should never try to take the bark out of a dog.
Is your dog trainer going to tell you to distract the dog with treats? Positive only dog trainers are tending towards this. While it doesn’t aim to take away the dog’s voice, it also doesn’t make the dog feel safer or more understood, and so it doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
Here’s what I want to do. As your dog trainer, I want to make your dog feel safe. And more importantly, I want to teach you how to make your dog feel safe.
As your dog trainer, I’ll teach you a specific process to go through each and every time your dog sends out a danger bark. This step-by-step process is so simple and effective. It lets the dog keep his voice. It lets him know that you hear him and you understand him. And it makes him feel safe.
Over time, as you put this process in place around your home and in your yard, you’re going to make your dog feel safer and safer. You’re going to give the message to your dog that you take care of danger and their safety. The result is a more secure and confident dog, who is able to think instead barking reactively, meaning that there is less barking AND when there is barking, you are able to calm your dog with just a word.
The best part is that this process builds your connection with your dog, which should be the goal of every dog trainer.
Do you have a barky dog? Does your dog bark out the window or patrol the back fence, barking?
No matter what kind of dog your have, no matter their age, you can help them feel safe and confident, knowing that you take care of danger. You absolutely CAN decrease your dog’s barking without taking away their voice, by making them feel safe.
As your dog trainer, I’ll teach you exactly how to do this. Step-by-step. Start here.
Here’s to You and Your Dog!
Elaine