subject: Excessive Barking and How to Deal With It [print this page] Dogs that bark excessively can be very frustrating to live with, not only that, but they can cause you many problems with your neighbors so it is important to try to understand why your dog does so and what you can do to stop this annoying problem.
It is important to bear in mind that barking is how dogs vocalize, but when it becomes obsessive, there is an underlying cause and discovering why your dog is barking obsessively is the first step in solving the problem.
Many dogs bark when they are feeling insecure or frustrated. If you observe dogs that exhibit a lot of self-confidence, you will usually notice that they don't bark much. A stable, well-adjusted dog will rarely bark whereas a skittish and nervous dog will tend to bark a lot. If your dog is a shy or fearful dog then this may be why he is barking excessively. The way to deal with this type of dog is to try and desensitize it. Try to build your dog's self-confidence by taking it on walks to explore its environment. The less the world seems scary to your dog, the less anxious and prone to barking he will be.
Enrolling your dog in obedience classes will also help expose the dog to new situations. In a training class you will be able to work under the guidance of a professional who will be able to advise you on how to help your dog become less fearful and anxious.
Boredom is another factor that causes excessive barking. If you leave your dog alone at home all day it shouldn't come as a surprise that he will get bored and frustrated. Barking then becomes a self rewarding way of comforting himself. Make sure you walk your dog on a daily basis to prevent boredom. Dogs need to work off excess energy and the best time to walk your dog is early in the morning. Sufficient exercise and mental stimulation should make your dog less prone to barking.
If your dog starts to bark try to grab his attention and divert his interest away from the thing that is provoking his anxiety. When he stops barking make sure you praise him profusely. Never shout or punish your dog when he is barking as he won't understand, in fact this could cause him to become even more anxious and cause him to bark even more. With patience and persistence you can stop a dog from barking obsessively.
