Dear Poncho,
I get so excited that I bark enthusiastically, very very loudly, over and over. I do it at many different times: in the morning when my owner comes to take me out, when she comes home from being away, or when we are getting home from a car ride. My owner doesn’t know how to stop me. She tells me “No,” but I generally give it at least two to four more loud barks.
Do you have any suggestions?
TJ
Dear TJ,
It sounds like you bark for a variety of reasons – like all of us dogs. Barking is similar to humans talking, yelling, and screaming for a variety of reasons. Barking is one of my very own favorite activities – just ask my certified dog trainer mom.
I think we need to remind our humans what barking is:
1. A normal dog behavior: We’re dogs, we bark. We don’t meow.
2. A major form of dog communication: We need to tell humans when we want to play, potty, or when the mail has arrived; if we’re upset; or when we’re really happy to see them!
3. Something that comes in handy! They don’t call us “watchdogs” for nothin’! Whether it’s the mail-person, friends, or an unwanted intruder, it’s part of our job to let our family members know when someone is approaching.
Your owner needs to reward what she wants! In your case, it’s any time you are quiet: when she greets you, when you’re riding in the car, and whenever else she wants. Any time you are quiet, especially during the more exciting times, then she should give you a yummy treat – and I mean steak or chicken, not kibble. Suppressing enthusiasm can be very difficult for us pooches, therefore she needs to make the reward more motivating than the reason you want to bark.
During those times when she is letting you out in the morning, or when she is coming home, then she should say “good morning” or come in the house only if you are quiet. If you bark, then she doesn’t come in! I know this lack of attention can be kind of punishing, but trust me, if you’re quiet she’ll pay attention to you, and the time you have to wait will decrease.
As for the car, it’s pretty simple. When you’re quiet in the car, your owner needs to reward you twofold: with freedom of riding in the car and some yummy treats. If you start in with yapping, she can either take you back home, or if you’re too far from home she can pull over and send you into a crate for a time-out! (Yes, this means she has to have a crate in the car.)
As for her telling you “No,” why is your human barking back at you? When humans yell at dogs to be quiet, it’s as if they’re joining in on the barking party!
__________
Joan Mayer, a certified professional dog trainer, is the founder of the Inquisitive Canine, and Poncho, a 10-pound mutt, is Joan’s trusty sidekick. Email Joan directly or visit Joan’s web site.
