Some types of dog barking, for instance- when your dog barks to warn you about a stranger, or when he is greeting or playing with you and barks,  aren’t big problems and don’t need correction-maybe just a command to stop if if gets out of hand. On the other hand, if your dog barks for any of the reasons listed in below, you will need to work with your dog to correct these barking problems. It is too bad, but  the excessive barking will not just go away on its own accord.

Here are some examples of barking problem behaviors and some ways to correct these types of dog barking problems-use the tips that are appropriate to your own dog’s behavior problem.

• To correct the problem of dogs barking upon seeing a stranger or another dog  somewhere within their visual range, it is necessary to block your dog’s view out of his yard. If you can move your dog behind a solid fence you will have blocked that view. However, if your yard has no area with a solid fenced area, maybe you can restrain your dog with a lead in an area of the yard with no outer view. If your dog stays indoors, keep the curtains closed to block his view.

• To solve the problem of dogs that bark in response to hearing nearby dogs barking, will require you to interact directly with your dog. For example, when your dog begins his response barking, immediately shut his mouth using your hand, and make sure to hold it shut until he relaxes and stops trying to bark. He won’t be liking this much, so you will have to hold onto his  collar while you do this because he may try to move away from you. Another good trick that will startle him out of barking is to spray him in the face with a small blast of water from a little spray bottle. Another option you can try is to use a can filled with pebbles to startle your dog and stop the barking. These tricks all work to temporarily stop the barking for the time you are using them. While you do any of these tricks to stop him from barking, you must also tell your dog something like “quiet” or “no barking” to verbally imprint the command to your dog. The end result should be that just by saying “quiet” you should have the ability to control your dog’s barking problems.

• Correcting the problem of a dog barking too much due to stress and insecurity will require you to give your dog lots more attention by exercising him, playing with him and training him. An active, well trained dog is much happier, so by increasing his quality of life, he will be less nervous and less likely to bark out of anxiety or stress.

• To correct the dog barking problems cause by a bored or lonely dog, also will require increase attention by you in the way of exercising and playing and training your dog.  Obviously if your dog is left alone most of the time and doesn’t get enough playtime and attention from you he is more likely to have this type of barking problem. Therefore, be sure to give your dog the minimum one and one half hours daily of activity he needs by exercising him, training him and of course, playing with him.

• Correct the problem of your own dog barking for attention by saying a firm “no” and then turning your back to him and ignoring him for a few minutes. Don’t let your dog bully you into doing whatever he wants. Besides the fact that the barking gets annoying, you must be seen by your dog as the boss-the Alpha dog-of the relationship. You will not be seen as Alpha by your dog if he can boss you around when he wants by barking at you. You need to be the Alpha in order to get good results with your training

If none of these techniques works for you, the pet stores sell a few types of  barking prevention collars. Of these, the first is called the Citronella oil collar -which works by spraying a fine mist into your dog’s face. The idea behind the second type of prevention collar is that it produces a very high pitched sound when your dog barks . The collars work by using aversion theory-one through a smell dog’s hate, and the other through an irritating noise.

A third type of prevention collar that is available in the store is the electric shock variety of collar. Some people have had good success using these when other methods have failed.

For more dog obedience and dog behavior problem articles to help you train your dog at home, please visit http://BehaveDoggy.com.

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