Silent Dog Barking
Silent Dog Barking:
Dogs are wonderful companions and are considered ideal pets, but sometimes even a good dog can get to bark incessantly. There are many reasons why dogs bark. This problematic behavior can become very annoying and even illegal in many places. The first step to soothe your dog's barking is to find out why he's making so much noise. Once you have determined this reason, you will know what steps you can take to make it stop. Learn to keep your barks quiet to ensure the tranquility of your community and avoid problems with the authorities.Method 1
Control your dog when he barks to ask you for something
1. Interrupt the reinforcement. This type of behavior is also known as "barking to attract attention" and constitutes a common problem among dog owners. The first step in ending this is to stop giving your pet what he wants every time he barks. Of course, this training takes some time, especially if you've "rewarded" it for your barking for many years. 1]
Try to distinguish between the barking to warn that you need to go to the bathroom (which is a vital need) and the facts for anything minor (for example, wanting to get on the couch or draw your attention).
You mustn't give in to your dog's barking, no matter how much he does. If you only give in once,
you'll throw away all the progress you could have achieved. 3]
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2. Ignore the barking. Barking to draw attention or requesting something can be the only way your dog knows how to behave. Even after having interrupted the reinforcement of that behavior, it is likely that it takes a little while to end that custom completely. In the meantime, it's best to ignore your pet instead of punishing her for trying to get your attention. 4]
Even if you scold him, the dog thinks you're paying attention to him. If you lose patience and yell at him, he'll probably bark for longer next time. Remember that you are conditioned to not expect any kind of response (even a negative).
If your dog barks, don't yell at him, or caress him, or give him everything he wants. Don't even look at it. The best thing you can do is distract yourself (for example, read a book or newspaper) until your dog calms down or gets tired. 6]
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3. It rewards its good behavior. When your dog finally stops barking, it is important that you congratulate him and reward him for his silence. Over time, your dog will learn that keeping quiet and being obedient will achieve better results than actinging badly and barking.
Keep several snacks on hand for delivery when you stop barking. You must give the rewards as soon as you begin to show the desired behavior to strengthen the teaching more effectively.
Congratulate your dog when he stops barking. You can say "good boy" and give him a sandwich.
As your dog learns that silence is rewarded with snacks and barking is ignored, you will have to gradually extend the time when your pet remains silent before rewarding it. For example, once you have passed the initial phase and get a snack after you stop barking, you may have to wait a few more seconds each day before giving it the reward and gradually increase the time until you wait a minute or two before you receive it.
To get the best results, you should vary the amount of time your dog remains silent before receiving a snack. In this way, you will not expect your reward after a certain period and the anticipation will keep you in a silent suspense. For example, after a few weeks of training, you must alternate between 20 seconds, 1 minute, 30 seconds, and 40 seconds of silence. 11]
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4. Look for a replacement behavior. One of the best ways to train an animal to avoid undesirable behavior is to teach it an alternative behavior. In this way, instead of getting frustrated and irritated because you don't pay attention, eventually your dog will realize that if he wants to get away with it, he has to control his impulses.
It may take a long time to teach you some replacement behaviors, but ultimately it is the best way to encourage desirable behavior. Instead of responding to your dog's vocal requests (for example, to play), you must teach him to bring his favorite toy to you and put it on the floor.
In addition, you can avoid unwanted behavior by reducing the likelihood of certain situations arising. For example, if your dog barks to ask for help every time his ball gets under the couch, he tries to put an obstacle under the furniture to keep his toys from getting under. 14]
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5. Continue training. Don't stop and keep working on interrupting the barking to draw attention. You must continue with the training to cover all aspects of your barking (both to call attention and to request something). In time, your dog will learn to wait patiently if he wants to play, eat or caress him.
Method 2
Calm separation Anxiety
1. Recognizes separation anxiety. This type of anxiety can take various forms in a dog, but the most common signs are to destroy the house (or the department) and bark incessantly. Usually these behaviors arise when the owner is at work or away from home. If the dogs did not behave destructively, some owners would not even realize that they suffer from this disorder.
Among the most common symptoms you should take into account are the following:
He chases you from one room to another (even if you're absent briefly).
Tremble, gasp, or cry as you prepare to leave.
Urinate or leave your feces inside the house when you are away.
Chew domestic items while you're away. 20]
Scratch or "Dig" the floor, walls or doors when you are left alone. 21]
Neighbors complain about the noise (for example, your dog barks or howls when you leave it alone at home).
2. Try the Counterconditioning method. This is a very common method used to modify the behavior of the dog. It usually involves training your pet to associate something terrible with a reward. In the case of separation anxiety, instead of fearing someone or something, the dog is afraid to stay alone. To deprogram this fear, you must make your dog associate the fact of being alone with something you enjoy (for example, snacks).
Every time you leave the house, give your dog a toy puzzle filled with snacks. If you deliver an item full of snacks, spray cheese or low-fat peanut butter, you will keep your dog occupied for at least 20 to 30 minutes (long enough to forget his fear of being left alone).
When you get home, you must take away or hide the toy so that conditions will only have access to it when you find yourself out.
Keep in mind that this method usually only works for mild cases of separation anxiety. Although your dog will certainly enjoy the toy puzzle (no matter how serious its condition), you probably have to resort to more complex methods if your dog suffers from moderate to severe anxiety.
3. Desensitize your dog. If your dog suffers from moderate to severe separation anxiety, chances are you will not be able to cure it overnight. A good way to get your dog accustomed to loneliness is to desensitize it gradually so you can leave it alone and reinforce the fact that if you go out of the house does not mean that you will abandon it forever. This is a slow process that not only requires several weeks of practice and constancy, but it must also be effective in obtaining long-term results. 27]
Work on the anxiety before your exit exposing your dog to various signs that you are going out. For example, you can put on a coat and pick up or make noise with the keys. Perform these procedures several times throughout the day without leaving the house.
Teach your dog to feel more comfortable while staying alone. Try to "stay out of sight." To put this method into practice, you must make your dog feel or lie down. Then you have to leave the room or hide so I don't see you.
As your dog gets used to having you out of sight, try to close a door to block your access and gradually extend the length of time you are out of the room or behind a closed door.
Hide behind a door on the first floor of the house (for example, behind the bathroom door or a bedroom). Do not try to hide behind the front door, as this fact could alarm your dog.
After several weeks, you have to move gradually until you get behind an exit door. However, even at this point, it is best to use an alternative door (if possible) than the one you normally use to go out to work. For example, instead of going out the front door or the garage, try to get out the back door.
By extending the amount of time you stay out of your dog's sight or behind closed doors, you must incorporate counterconditioning methods (for example, a toy puzzle) to keep your pet distracted. Try to add this component once you are behind closed doors or back door for at least 10 to 20 seconds.
4. Be patient. You need many hours of training and practice to make your dog feel comfortable with your prolonged absences. Most of the undesirable behavior of an anxious dog will take place within the first 40 minutes in which you are absent, and you will need many (but many) training sessions before you manage to leave for 40 minutes without being presented Problems.
Just increase the time of your absence for a few seconds in each training session. If you take longer than that, your dog can be altered and trigger a series of panic episodes.
Once your dog feels comfortable while leaving him alone for 90 minutes, he will most likely be able to withstand four or eight hours of loneliness. However, in the early stages of that level of comfort, it is best to "test" your dog for four hours, rather than leaving it alone for a full day's work (if possible).
If you are consistent in your workout and practice several times a day on weekends and at least twice a day from Monday to Friday (for example, before you go to work and in the evenings, you will make your dog feel comfortable in the long run in less than a month.
However, you must remember that each dog is different and yours may need a longer training period or more training sessions per day.
You must be patient and remember that your pet only behaves that way because he loves you and is afraid you will leave.
5. Consider some alternative arrangements. If your dog fails to calm down at all despite his training, or if the owner of the building you live in or your neighbors have expressed their discomfort and ask you to train the dog, you probably have to consider some alternative measures. [39]
Find out if you can take the dog with you to work (depending on where you work). This is probably not ideal, but there are a lot of offices where pets are allowed, especially if you can show your boss your situation.
Agree with a friend or family member to take care of your dog while you are away from home. Most dogs only experience separation anxiety if they are left completely alone. In other words, it will be helpful if you stay with someone else.
Consider training your dog to use a cage. The success of this type of training varies considerably from one dog to another. Some dogs are frightened by the fact that they have to stay locked in a cage, while others see it as a safe and private space, as well as a guarantee that someone will stay home and at some point open it.
Request the help of a certified canine Training Professional (CPDT) If you do not get favorable results. This specialist will know how to help your dog behave in the best way possible. You can search for this type of specialists in your area via the Internet or ask your veterinarian to recommend one.
Method 3
Stop the alarm barking
1. Recognizes alarm barking. This pattern of barking occurs when your dog perceives intruders. Although barking at an intruder is very useful and can even save a person's life, barking at others (such as postmen, package delivery people or even neighbors) that go through the property can be quite annoying and cause many Problems.
Alarm barking does not always require visual confirmation of the perceived intruder. Some dogs can start barking simply by hearing the door of a car on the street or some voices on the sidewalk.
The alarm barks are usually accompanied by a slight onslaught. Your dog can advance from 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) in each bark.
2. Show your dog the "quiet" order. The best way to end this type of barking is to order your dog to calm down. As with any other training, it is likely that this is a slow process that requires a lot of patience and constancy. But if you are willing to invest your time and effort, even the most territorial dog can learn to behave better.
When your dog starts barking, you must hold a sandwich after three or four barks. This will call your attention and most likely distract you from the perceived intruder.
Wait till he stops barking. You just have to be patient and keep holding the sandwich.
Once your dog stops barking, say "quiet" in a calm but firm tone and give the sandwich.
Repeat this procedure until your dog learns to associate the word "quiet" with his silence. Once your dog successfully performs this on 10 or more occasions, you can start ordering him to calm down without giving him a reward. If you continue to do your bidding, you should give him a sandwich. If you don't, you probably have to show him the sandwich during several training sessions.
Over time, your dog will learn to stay calm when you order it without getting a reward. However, even after you have reached this stage of training, you should still congratulate him when he stops barking.
3. Apply the "quiet" command. Once your dog dominates this command during training sessions, you have to apply it in real situations. You can ask a friend to slam the door of a car in front of your house, shake your mailbox or get near your front door.
Have a sandwich ready every time your friend approaches the door. Even if you have already passed the stage of delivering snacks during regular training, you can use them for the applied training sessions that involve a real meddling.
By making someone come to your door posing as the postman, it is imperative that your friend does not leave the entrance until your dog calms down, because if you retire while barking, your dog may think that his barks drove him away. [55]
Method 4
Avoid compulsive barking or boredom
1. Recognizes this type of barking. If your dog barks compulsively and for no apparent reason or tends to bark when he is left alone (for example, in the backyard), he may be doing it out of boredom. Dogs that bark when left alone may experience separation anxiety, but there are usually other symptoms that accompany that problem (for example, destructive behaviors, problems going to the bathroom and chasing you everywhere while You're home.) The most common symptoms of compulsive barking or boredom include the following:
- Barking excessively in a repetitive pattern;
- Walk or run back and forth (usually while barking or shortly before or after Barking);
- Barking every time you are left alone (without other signs of separation anxiety);
- Bark whenever you stop paying attention.
2. Exercise your dog more. Exercise and play time are the best remedies for compulsive barking and boredom. Although walking your dog is an important way to make it exercise (even if you have a fenced yard), it is probably not enough. Try to get your dog to run back and forth in the middle of two people for 10 or 20 minutes, chase a ball or a toy or go jogging with you before you go to work.
It is important that your dog exercise vigorously for at least 20 minutes a day to improve his physical and mental well-being and reduce incidents of problematic behavior (like barking out of boredom).
Also, you have to separate a little time every day to play with your dog. You can play hide-and-seek or just throw a ball and have it caught and brought to you.
3. Show some tricks to your dog. This is a great way to avoid boredom and deter compulsive behavior in dogs. The tricks require concentration, attention and retention of the lessons (which can keep your dog occupied both physically and mentally).
Once your dog learns a few tricks, make them go through them every day. This will help you remember what you have learned and also keep you busy and focused.
4. Leave some distractions for your dog around the house. In addition to exercising, you should leave some distractions around the house to inhibit problematic behaviors (like barking out of boredom). You can use a toy puzzle stuffed with peanut butter or just place a handful of snacks in various places around the room. Also, you can turn on the radio or the TV so that the dog gets distracted by the sound.
Method 5
Find ways to reduce barking in general
1. Meet your dog's needs. If you're hungry or left in the yard all day, you'll probably start barking. No matter how long you spend training or teaching behavioral techniques, as this does not meet your need for food and comfort. You must make sure that your dog always has plenty of clean, fresh water (which he can drink when he needs it), two or three nutritious meals a day and access to the interior of your home.
2. Discards medical problems. Sometimes barking is the way your dog tells you he is injured or sick. If there is a possibility that your pet may have a medical problem or an injury, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible.
3. It uses training methods. Teaching your Dog the "quiet" order constitutes an excellent training technique. It is very useful for any type of problem with barking, although it can be the only option for certain behavioral problems, such as the barking caused by its territorial instinct.
Every time your dog starts barking unnecessarily, he holds a sandwich to distract his attention from the perceived intruder.
Once your dog stops barking, tell him the word "quiet" and give the sandwich. [69]
You must lengthen the duration of your silence gradually before rewarding it. Over time, you have to get to a point where you simply order him to calm down without showing him the sandwich and thus get a silent answer.
4. Make it more exercise. Exercise is a great way to curb behavioral problems, including excessive barking. If your dog is anxious, territorial or just bored, you can help him by providing a good workout to reduce the frequency and intensity of his barking problem.
Depending on the age and physical capacities of your dog, you can exercise it in different ways. Long walks are good for older dogs, while younger dogs can enjoy running with you, chasing a ball or playing with a rope or other interactive toys.
5. It blocks what bothers you. If your dog barks every time he sees or hears something out of the house, a simple solution could be blocking his access to that trigger. If you stop over the window and start barking, try to install curtains or blinds so you can not see people or other animals pass by. If the listening sounds on the outside tend to leak, try to leave the radio on during the day to distract it and dampen the sounds coming from outside.
6. Consult an expert. There are many types of canine behavior specialists, each one with their own certifications. No matter what kind of expert you choose, you should always check that person's certifications and search for recommendations or comments on the Internet. If you can't find an online expert, consult with your veterinarian to recommend one that can help you with your dog's needs.
Coaches usually have certifications, but that's not always the case. They can also count on other titles (e.g. behavior Counselor, Pet therapist or pet psychologist).
Certified Canine Training Professionals (CPDT) are accredited by an independent organization. In order to obtain certification, these potential specialists must complete a rigorous practical training program, pass a standardized test and provide several letters of recommendation.
Behaviorists can also count on a variety of titles, but they must essentially have a master's degree or a doctorate in animal behavior. Generally, a behaviorist with a doctor's degree is known as a behavioral certificate in Applied Animal Behavior (CAAB), while a behaviorist with a master's degree is known as an associate Behaviorist and certificate in behavior Applied Animal (ACAAB).
7. Try deterrents against Barking. You can use anti-bark collars as they are quite unpleasant for dogs. Remember that you only have to use them as a last resort or when no other method has worked. Some people oppose the use of this type of collars because of the perception that these elements are punishment devices. Training works much better than punishment devices because it offers the best long-term solutions to behavioral problems. However, if the training does not work with your dog and the owner of the building you live in has threatened to evict you or call the police, you may have to resort to this type of deterrent.
Citrus-scented Necklaces shoot a small gust every time the dog barks. It has been shown that this type of collars are at least as effective as the electronic collars and also do not cause any real pain or discomfort in the dog.
Ultrasound collars emit an ultrasonic sound that only dogs can perceive. This sound is quite unpleasant for your pet but it does not cause any real pain.
The electric collars are similar to those of citrus and ultrasound smells, but instead emit a small electric shock over the dog's neck. These collars usually have several configurations to modify the intensity of the discharge. If you opt for one of these necklaces, it is best to set it to the lowest possible intensity to prevent you from hurting your dog. Once again, we remind you that these methods should only be used as a last resort.
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