Dogs can be a wonderful addition to the family. They are cute, playful and often bring about laughter and fun. As much joy as a dog brings into a home, it is important to remember that it takes work to care for him. In addition to providing for his everyday needs, you will need to learn how to deal with certain behaviors such as barking. It is important that you know the reason behind your dog's barking before you try to remedy the problem so you do not deter his valid attempts at communicating with you.
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Understand Your Dog's Barking
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Understand the reason behind your dog's barking. If you want nothing more than for your dog to stop barking, take a moment and try to understand what he is trying to accomplish through his barking. For instance, if he is barking by the door, he may be trying to let you know that he needs to be let out. In this case, you will want to praise him for barking and take him outside. On the other hand, if he is barking incessantly because he wants to play while the family is eating dinner, ignoring his barking behavior will be your best option. He may bark harder at first, but he should give up and allow you to eat in peace in a relatively short amount of time.
Teach Your Dog to Stop
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Teach your dog to be quiet on command. Similar to being taught how to sit or lie down, a dog needs to be taught to be quiet. Wait for or create an occasion, such as someone knocking on the door, in which your dog begins to bark. After a moment, instruct him to be quiet by saying "quiet" or "silence." Consistently use the same command. Give your dog a treat as soon as he is quiet and praise and pet him. Once he follows your command consistently, offer treats on a random basis in order to maintain his obedience.
Help your Dog Cope
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Reduce your dog's barking behavior when you are not home by helping him cope when he's left alone. Being alone can be overwhelming for a dog and cause him to bark because of anxiety or fear. Use a crate to create a comforting place for your pet where he can go when he is overwhelmed. Include chew toys and items with your scent such as a pillowcase. Finally, do not make a big deal when you leave; this will only feed into your dog's anxious behavior.
Remain Calm
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Remain calm when you are walking your dog and another dog is in the area. If your dog senses that you are tense, he may pick up on your anxiety and begin barking.
Socialize Your Dog
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Invite friends with well-trained and social pets over to your house to give your dog the opportunity to socialize appropriately. Offer lots of treats to your pet during this time so he will associate the other dog with something positive. As your pet interacts and learns to communicate with other dogs, he should become less agitated at the sight of other pets when you are dealing with them.
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