Secrets to Stop a Dog From Barking
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In many cases, dogs will bark when they have absolutely nothing else to do. When dogs feel a lack of attention, they may act out and misbehave. Many times we want them to behave, so instead of being firm with them, we tend to give in and give them what they want. This teaches them that this behavior will get them the attention that they want. It is important for us to learn the proper way to deal with these behaviors and the proper way to teach our dog that this is unacceptable.
Initially dogs nee to understand that barking just for the sake of attention is not acceptable. In many cases dogs will prefer "angry attention" over "no attention". This is not the ideal way to train them however. What you should be doing is saying what you want to say, and then backing that up by an action - typically something that the dog doesn't like.
Next time you tell your dog to be "Quiet", after saying "Quiet" reinforce the command by spraying water at your dog. This is known as negative reinforcement and is a great way of teaching your dog to associate words with action. Repeating this sequence a few times will teach your dog that the "Quiet" command is followed by the water being sprayed - something he doesn't like. Through a little practice your dog will soon learn to keep quiet without needing to spray water.
If the barking comes with a lot of growling and aggression, its not advised to use the negative reinforcement approach. Instead get your dog to his vet as soon as possible as their may be a medical problem that needs to be attended.
If your dog barks often when you leave the house, a simple thing you can do is to make sure he has everything he needs to feel comfortable. Make sure food and water are available and that he has a comfortable place to sleep. Keep him away from windows as this may excite him and cause more barking.
Another way to stop your dog barking is to stop praising him unnecessarily. Excessive praising is counterproductive because it teaches your dog that regardless of what he does, he will be praised. When he does what you've requested, don't get carried away, just give him a quick pat and leave it at that. This will teach your dog that if he wants more praise, he'll have to work for it and do more of what you're asking for.
Give your dog something to do when you are not around. Use both negative and positive reinforcement to get your dog to behave the way you want, and remember not to get carried away in praising your dog. Practice and persistence will make perfect!
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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