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Why learn to manage your dog's barking

  • Happy Neighbors

    Managing your dog's barking is essential for maintaining peace and harmony in your neighborhood, as excessive barking can disturb and annoy neighbors.

  • Well-being

    It helps create a calm and stress-free environment for both you and your dog, promoting their well-being and reducing unnecessary anxiety.

  • Strengthen your bond

    Properly managing your dog's barking can improve your relationship with your dog and enhance their socialization skills, allowing for better interactions with people and other animals.

"Why Dogs Bark"

Why dogs bark


Dogs bark for many reasons ranging from responding to sights or sounds, to communicating fear and anxiety. There are 5 loose categories of barking that may help you understand what’s triggering your dog to bark:


1. Attention-seeking barking. Typically higher-pitched, and your dog will be looking at you.


2. Anxious barking. Typically higher-pitched and continuous.


3. Alert or “watchdog” barking. Typically lower-pitched and results in your dog going to the door or in the direction of the “thing” they’re barking at.


4. Distance-increase barking. Typically lower pitched and intended to help your dog create space from a person, place or thing, and may be accompanied by moving back and forth towards the perceived threat.


5. Frustration or boredom barking. Typically higher-pitched and the result of your dog not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation


"Excessive Barking"

What to do if your dog barks excessively


• Reduce your dog’s exposure to the things triggering their barking


• Change your dog’s reaction to the things that cause them to bark, by providing them with a special treat or toy, every time you expect a triggering event to happen


• Give your dog more physical exercise


• Incorporate mental enrichment, like puzzles, snuffle mats and work to eat toys, into your dog’s routine



"Barking for Attention"

What to do if your dog barks for attention


The best way to get them to stop is to teach them a different behavior to get what they want. To do this, totally disengage from your dog as soon as they start barking. Once your dog stops barking, wait five seconds and then bring your attention back to them. Start playing a game with your dog or give them a toy before they start barking again. Over time, this will teach your dog that being quiet results in good things.



"Watchdog Barking"

What to do if your dog engages in “Watchdog barking” 


• Incorporate gentle music or white noise into your dog’s environment, and use a gate or other barrier to limit your dog’s access to the door or area they’re guarding


• Don’t yell or get upset as this could make your dog bark more


• Teach your dog that the triggering event is a signal that good things are about to happen. To do this, drop treats or a toy in your dog’s safe space whenever you expect a triggering event to happen. Over time, they will associate the trigger with receiving good things in their safe space


Webinars


Bark no more (recording)


Products we love


• Lamb lung. Dogs love these and they're perfect because they're very small.

• Treat pouch. A pouch is a great place to hold your treats on a walk.

• Work to eat toys such as the Fun feeder, KONG classic toy and Toppl