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Dogs will bark for any of several reasons. Understanding normal barking behavior is necessary to determine IF your dog has a barking problem.

Normal Dog Barking

When your dog barks know that it is a natural thing for your dog to do. It is their way of speaking and communicating with those around them. You can't stop dog barking completely, just like you will never stop talking. You need to communicate and so do they. Your dog will bark if they need something. This is their way of getting your attention, and telling you when something is wrong. To start off you should always make sure your dog has all their necessities met before reprimanding them for barking.

When your dog is hungry or thirsty they will bark or whine. This is like saying, "Hey I don't feel right. I need help!" Figure out which one they are pointing towards and that will minimize barking. They will also bark for shelter. If it's too hot or cold, they will bark to tell you they are uncomfortable. If your dog is lonely or sick they make bark to let you know that they don't feel well. So it's important to make sure their needs are met before taking further action. They are screaming for help and will get severely confused if you punish them for doing so.

One final reason for normal barking is that your dog may be frustrated. If they are in a small space for too long, extremely bored, or because their is someone threatening their territory they will bark. Help relieve this frustration by playing with them, taking them on a walk, or moving them so they cannot see out the window at the intruders.

Abnormal Dog Barking

Barking can be a problem sometimes, especially when it is for no apparent reason. This is usually when a dog is bored, not getting the attention they are accustomed to receiving or simply were never taught to be alone for a while. Some resolutions to this problem barking are:

1. When You Come Home

When coming home it is crucial that you don't make a big deal of leaving or coming home. A simple "Hi there." and a pat on the head should do it. If your dog thinks you being gone is a huge deal they will get anxiety and bark excessively while your gone, and even when you are already home to let you know about their ordeal.

2. Limit Praise

Only offer praise and petting when it is deserved. It has to mean something or it sends the wrong message. Your dog has to learn to earn your praises.

3. Curing Anxiety

Get your dog used to being alone for short periods. Give them a good chew toy and when they are absorbed in the toy, leave the room and shut the door. When you return, don't make it a big event. They will probably swarm you for affection, which you should ignore. This reinforces the idea that you're being away wasn't that important to their survival after all. Do this repeatedly until the days pass and they no longer seem phased when you leave the room.

Barking Relief

These are some of the things you can do to curb abnormal barking. If these do not show any results, there are other, more radical solutions, like a citronella barking collar or an electric shock collar. These are completely humane, simple and safe to use.

Citronella collars will gently spritz a whiff of citronella in front of the dog's nose when he barks. Dogs dislike the odor of the stuff and it works surprisingly well for most dogs.The shock collar is a little more dramatic and emits a light shock when the dog barks. This is reserved for moderate to severe problems.

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