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June, 2018 • Conley Media 8 1/4 PAGE AD 1/4 PAGE AD T hough it might try the patience of dog owners and their neighbors, barking is a perfectly normal behavior for dogs. But dog owners dealing with excessive barking can learn about why dogs bark and how to treat barking problems. Why do dogs bark? Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate. Some dogs may bark to alert their owners that someone is approaching the house or if they hear unexpected noises outside. The American Kennel Club notes that some dogs may bark as a way of expressing their desire to exercise or receive some mental stimulation. Some dogs bark when they are bored or lonely, and some bark when they are alarmed or scared. Why do dogs' barks differ? According to the online pet resource PetEducation.com, barks can differ depending on what dogs want. Dog owners who learn to distinguish between the types of barks may have an easier time curtailing barking sessions and comforting their pets. • Attention-seeking barks: PetEducation.com notes that attention-seeking barks are insistent and can be difficult to ignore. These types of barks are often used by puppies. • Alert barks: It typically doesn't take long for dog owners to recognize alert barks, as they become more rapid as strangers draw closer to a home. • Play barks: These barks are short and sharp, and are often a byproduct of dogs growing overexcited during play time. • Lonely barks: These barks reach a higher pitch as dogs grow more anxious, which could be a byproduct of separation anxiety. How to treat excessive barking Behavioral training of dogs requires time and may require considerable patience on the part of dog owners whose dogs are barking excessively. So dog owners must recognize that curing excessive barking won't happen overnight. Do not shout at the dog. Shouting at a barking dog will only encourage more barking, so frustrated dog owners must resist the temptation to shout as they attempt to correct barking. Maintain a calm, firm voice when working with a dog to curb its barking. Be consistent. PetEducation.com recommends that dog owners pick a one- word command and use it whenever they are attempting to correct excessive barking. Maintain the same calm tone of voice each time the command word is spoken. Rely on positive reinforcement. The AKC advises dog owners keep some high-value treats at the ready as they attempt to curb their dogs' barking. When dogs begin to bark, owners can wait patiently for them stop. Once dogs stop, dog owners can wait a moment before praising the dog and then supplying a treat. As the process progresses, dog owners can increase the intervals between dogs ceasing to bark and the presentation of the treat. Excessive barking can try the patience of even the most devoted dog owners. But with time and effort, dog owners can curb their dogs' excessive barking. How dog owners can curb barking 8 9

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