subject: Problem Barking And Getting Along With Neighbors [print this page] If you are easily annoyed then no doubt barking has gotten on your nerves once or twice, at least! I know that it frustrates me to no end when a dog barks excessively, especially little yippy dogs with high pitched voices. Excessive barking is responsible for many neighborhood disputes but how and should you stop it?
Dogs bark for many different reasons. Sometimes it is for good cause while other times it is because of one problem or another. Certain dog breeds are more likely to bark frequently than others. So, when you plan to buy a new puppy make sure you do some research first. Confining a dog improperly (such as in a room, crate or outside with little shelter from the rain) will often cause them to bark because they want out of their present situation. If you do not allow your dog to get plenty of exercise they might bark because they have a lot of pent up energy. Sounds in the environment (train whistle, jingling of a dog collar, phone ringing) often causes dogs to bark. A bored dog might bark because they want attention or another dog to run around and play with.
You need to be careful how you address problem barking because you do not want your dog to think barking is altogether bad. After all, it is good when a dog barks at an intruder on your property. The key is to train them to differentiate between when barking is bad and when it is a good thing.
If your dogs barking has caused tension in the neighborhood then you should get together with your neighbors and talk about it. Let them know that you are looking for a solution and that you are sorry for any disturbances. You might have to talk with an animal behavioralist or your vet for a solution. There are medications that can help soothe your dogs nerves and make them less likely to bark. Be careful because these medications also have side effects that will dull your dogs senses and cause other unwanted problems.
If you choose to stick with natural remedies then there are several available that can help. Scutellaria laterifolia and Hypericum perforatum will help to calm your dogs nerves and make them a lot less anxious. Nux vom, Belladonna and Cantharis will make your dog less irritable, aggressive and also help with anxiety. All of these things can lead to excessive barking so addressing them should at least minimize the neighborhood disputes.
