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Barking

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BARKING

 Your dog’s barking has got out of hand, and you think you know why:

  • it is bored
  • it is guarding its territory
  • it misses you
  • you inadvertently reinforce the barking
  • it hears strange noises
  • it is afraid
  • it gets easily excited or is highly strung
  • it is in the habit of barking
  • it just loves to bark

Dogs bark for all the above reasons and if you have a nuisance barker on your hands, you should first determine why.  Dogs that bark incessantly in the yard could be bored.  Owners should try to relieve the dog’s boredom by:

  1. taking it for regular walks
  2. providing chew toys and bones
  3. change the position of the kennel, etc

Some suggest that because dogs are essentially sociable animals they should be given companionship but often another dog will only add to the barking problem.  Dogs in confined spaces may bark more than if they were in wide, open spaces.

If your dog barks as a result of separation anxiety (if it suffers when separated from the owner) then consider: leaving the radio or television on when you are away to distract the dog.

  • Provide it with mirrors so that it can watch itself play.
  • Supply it with interesting bones and chews.


Tackling the Problem

If your dog loves to bark then consider correcting it when it barks inappropriately.

  • Train your dog as a puppy – if it is never allowed to bark freely, it will never know it’s an option.
  • Teach your dog to bark and be quiet on command.  This may seem counterproductive but because the dog is aware of it’s own bark it is less inclined to use it excessively.
  • If a dog constantly barks to gain your attention – ignore him.  Eventually he will tire and be quiet.  At this point reward him for his quietness.  The dog will catch on that barking is “bad”.

Are Some Breeds Worse Barkers Than Others?

Some dog breeds, due to the role to which they were developed, have bigger barks than others.  Terriers including Yorkshire, Cairn and Fox Terriers, herding dogs and scent and sight hounds have a strong bark.

Help!

Many dogs drive their owners and neighbours to despair, so much so that the owners feel they have no choice but to hand their beloved pets to animal shelters or Council Kennel.  Quiet perseverance does pay off.  If your dog does not respond to your attempts to quieten it, contact your dog warden at Lisburn City Council for help and advice.

 

For further advice please see the attached leaflet published by the Department of the Environment entitled 'Is your dog barking too much?'