The Dog Who Cried, "RUFF!"
Every dog owner knows their dog will bark from time to time. Most people actually want their dog to bark if someone arrives at the door, or something unusual is going on. Dogs are great for letting you know when someone shows up at the door.
When he starts barking too much, the benefits of owning a guard dog are reduced. Not only will you be tempted to yell at your dog and add to the noise, but you may also discover that you stop checking out what he's barking at. If he's barking all the time anyways, why go out of your way to look out the window?
Not only is this problem annoying for dog owners, but it can also a hassle to be bothered by complaining neighbors, and can lead to you ignoring your dog if he was ever to bark for an important reason.
Often times, a lack of socialization will lead to excessive barking. If your dog spends a lot of his time at home or in the yard, he's likely to feel even more territorial over the familiar areas. Also, if your dog hasn't been socialized properly, he may perceive certain things as a threat, even when they're actually are not!
An example would be; your dog doesn't need to bark every time your neighbors go in and out of their house, or while they hang out in their yard. That's where they live. Same thing applies for kids that walk past the yard every day going to school, and other daily neighborhood occurrences.
By working on dog obedience training and socialization skills, you can help your dog learn how to overcome this problem. Take him out for walks around the neighborhood and let him meet lots of people, children and other dogs. When your neighbor is getting his mail or taking out his garbage out to the curb, put your dog on his leash and take him out front with you to chat with the neighbor and see the pails.
Remember, your dog's obedience commands are to be used as a way of life, in day to day situations. Instead of yelling from across the room, walk over to your dog, tell him "No barking" and have him sit/stay. Follow with praise, of course. Similar methods should be used when your dog is outside barking also.
When you practice socializing your dog, his barking problem can easily be brought under control. Practice this daily and you'll soon be enjoying time with your dog more, as well as a relaxing, quiet atmosphere.
When he starts barking too much, the benefits of owning a guard dog are reduced. Not only will you be tempted to yell at your dog and add to the noise, but you may also discover that you stop checking out what he's barking at. If he's barking all the time anyways, why go out of your way to look out the window?
Not only is this problem annoying for dog owners, but it can also a hassle to be bothered by complaining neighbors, and can lead to you ignoring your dog if he was ever to bark for an important reason.
Often times, a lack of socialization will lead to excessive barking. If your dog spends a lot of his time at home or in the yard, he's likely to feel even more territorial over the familiar areas. Also, if your dog hasn't been socialized properly, he may perceive certain things as a threat, even when they're actually are not!
An example would be; your dog doesn't need to bark every time your neighbors go in and out of their house, or while they hang out in their yard. That's where they live. Same thing applies for kids that walk past the yard every day going to school, and other daily neighborhood occurrences.
By working on dog obedience training and socialization skills, you can help your dog learn how to overcome this problem. Take him out for walks around the neighborhood and let him meet lots of people, children and other dogs. When your neighbor is getting his mail or taking out his garbage out to the curb, put your dog on his leash and take him out front with you to chat with the neighbor and see the pails.
Remember, your dog's obedience commands are to be used as a way of life, in day to day situations. Instead of yelling from across the room, walk over to your dog, tell him "No barking" and have him sit/stay. Follow with praise, of course. Similar methods should be used when your dog is outside barking also.
When you practice socializing your dog, his barking problem can easily be brought under control. Practice this daily and you'll soon be enjoying time with your dog more, as well as a relaxing, quiet atmosphere.