Barking is one of the most common complaints of dog owners and their neighbours! But barking is natural. It serves as a territorial warning signal to other dogs and pack members. Dogs may vocalise when separated from their pack or family members. Barking also occurs during times of indecision, anxiety, or frustration. Medical problems can also contribute to vocalisation, especially in the older dog.
Socialisation and habituation — get puppies used to as many new people, animals, situations and noises as possible. This will minimise the amount or intensity of alarm barking. Barking should only be allowed to alert owners and then be controlled and stopped before the dog becomes agitated and out of control. Owner control, training and leadership are essential (See our Handouts #33 and #35).
Effective crate training techniques when your dog is first obtained, should decrease the dog’s anxiety when it is left alone in its crate (See our Handout #26). Your dog should gradually be taught to spend longer periods of time away from you. Obtaining two dogs will provide company for each other and reduce distress vocalisation and departure anxiety.
Attention getting barking can be problematic and is often reinforced by owners giving in to their dog’s demands. Allowing a barking dog indoors, or feeding, patting, praising, playing with, giving a toy, or even just going to a barking dog to try and quiet it down, are just a few examples of how an owner may unknowingly reinforce barking. Never reward barking with any type of attention, even occasionally.
Training the dog to a “quiet” command is an invaluable aid for controlling undesirable barking. You must find an effective means of quieting the dog, which should be preceded with a command such as “quiet”. Just loudly telling your pet to “be quiet”, will not be understood.
One of the most practical techniques for teaching a dog to cease barking on command, is to first, be able to command the dog to begin barking on cue. Use a stimulus that will cause the dog to bark and pair it with a “bark” command. Numerous repetitions allow the dog to associate the word “bark” or “speak” with the action. Dogs that bark on command can then be taught to turn off the barking by removing the cue or stimulus, and giving a “hush” or “quiet” command just before the barking subsides. As soon as your dog is quiet, give a favoured treat or reward.
It can be difficult or impractical to teach a dog to be “quiet” on command if the barking cannot be predicted or “turned on” or if it is too intense.
Another method to teach a “quiet” command is to wait until your dog is barking, say to a doorbell and while he is barking place a very tasty food treat by his nose. Most dogs will stop barking to sniff the treat. At the same time you must say the word you will use for quiet, such as “silent”, “hush” etc. When the dog is quiet (as they will be because dogs cannot sniff and bark at the same time) you can praise him, say “good, quiet” and give the treat. Again, as with all new tasks, numerous repetitions are necessary for lasting learning.
Alternately, distraction or remote punishment devices (see below) can be used to disrupt the barking. One of the most effective means of interrupting barking and ensuring quiet is a remote leash and head halter. A pull on the leash disrupts the dog and closes the mouth. Quiet behaviour can then be reinforced first by releasing and then giving a reinforcer such as praise or food if the dog remains quiet.
Chances are good for most barking problems. But the household situation in which the dog resides may make it extremely difficult to correct completely. Even a small amount of barking could disturb a sleeping baby, or upset neighbours, (particularly in apartments or townhouses). When trying to resolve barking problems, the motivation for the barking behaviour is an important component. Some stimuli are so strong that it will be difficult to stop the barking behaviour. You need sufficient time to implement the correction training.
The treatment program must be based on the type of problem, your household, the immediacy of the situation, and the type and level of control that you require. A good behavioural history is important to determine cause, motivation and potential reinforcing stimuli for the barking behaviour. Treatment plans need to consider the following:
Punishment is seldom effective in the control and correction of barking problems. Excessive levels of punishment can increase anxiety and further aggravate many forms of barking, while mild punishment merely rewards the behaviour by providing attention.
These products are most useful for getting the pet’s attention (disruption) during quiet command training. Ultrasonic devices (Pet Agree™, Easy Trainer™), audible devices (Barker Breaker™, rape alarms), water sprayers, or a shake can (an empty aluminium drink can with a few coins or pebbles sealed inside) are often successful. Without concurrent retraining techniques and an owner with good control, many dogs will soon begin to ignore the devices.
When barking occurs in the owner’s absence, bark activated products (in conjunction with environmental modification and retraining) are often the most practical means of deterring inappropriate barking. Bark-activated products may also be a better choice than owner-activated devices, since they ensure immediate and accurate timing. Off-collar devices are useful for training the dog to cease barking in selected areas, such as near doorways or windows, (or for dogs that bark in their crate or pen). The Super Barker Breaker emits an audible alarm while the Yapper Zapper™ sprays a stream of water each time the dog barks.
Useful when barking does not occur in a predictable location. Audible and ultrasonic training collars are occasionally effective but they are neither sufficiently unpleasant nor consistent enough to be a reliable deterrent. The Aboistop™ ABS collar emits a spray of citronella each time the dog barks and is sufficiently unpleasant to deter most dogs. Although these devices may be effective in the owner’s absence, they have their most lasting effects when the owner is present to supervise and retrain. As soon as the barking ceases, the owner should redirect and encourage the dog to perform an enjoyable alternative behaviour (play, tummy rub) as long as the dog remains quiet. Products that use electronic stimulation (shock collars) may be successful. However, even shock may not deter a dog that is highly motivated to bark. Since there is the potential for injury with any shock device, you should be instructed to buy only name brand products from established reputable suppliers. (Not all of these devices are legal in Australia – please check local regulations.)
Most importantly, bark collars only work when they are on the dog. Most dogs will learn to distinguish when the collar is on and when it is off. When they are not wearing the collar, most dogs will bark.
Surgical debarking is a drastic and often permanent method of eliminating barking. Varying degrees of vocalisation may return as the surgical site heals and scars. Devocalisation may need to be considered when owners are confronted with the option of immediately resolving a barking problem or having to give up. Preferably other methods should be employed first. Debarking does not address the cause of the barking and this factor still needs to be addressed.
