Tami Parrington is the author of five novels along with being a successful SEO and content writer for the past three years. Parrington's journalism experience includes writing medical, health, and home-related articles as well as articles on the types of animals she has raised for years on eHow.
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Dog TrainingOverview
You can successfully break your dog's barking habits. A barking dog is aggravating to the members of your household, your neighbors and probably the dog itself. Getting a dog to stop barking is more a matter of understanding canine behavior than it is any physical restrictions or obedience. It's important to understand the instincts behind your dog's barking behaviors and what you can do to circumvent the causes for your pet's barking.
Step 1
Understand why they are barking. Dogs bark for one of four reasons: protection, boredom, insecurity or nervous energy. Dogs are genetically geared to protect their surroundings. Female dogs are often more prone to protecting "space" while male dogs are more often likely to protect "belongings," including items in your home and you, yourself. Insecure dogs are afraid of everything whether it is a real threat to their home, themselves, their people or no threat at all. Small dogs tend to be very insecure simply due to their size and are often hyperactive on top of it, adding to the dilemma.
Step 2
Don't punish "good" barking. Barking to protect the home, family or possessions is the only acceptable barking that should never be punished. Excessive protection barking can be eliminated by positive socialization from an early age. Teach your dogs that not every person walking by is a possible intruder or enemy.
Step 3
Get out of the house with your dog and play with it. Releasing stored up nervous energy will help reduce a lot of needless barking brought on by boredom or excess energy. Obedience and agility training are great stress relievers that also give your dog focus and purpose. Take long walks that will benefit both you and your pet.
Step 4
Build your pet's confidence if it is insecure. Young dogs should be well socialized and taken out to public places as well as having friends visit your home often so they begin to learn the difference between friend and foe and realize that "good" people are friends and won't hurt them.
