How do you get your dog to stop barking? After all, who likes a constantly barking dog? The only time I want a dog barking is when people drive up or to keep coyotes away. But when I tell her to stop, I want my dog to stop.
So how do you go about obtaining this wonderful silence? We all know it's better to train anyone and anything when they are young. So start with your puppy training it to end up with a dog that only barks when you want.
That last sentence is the key. You need to decide how much barking you do want and then train your puppy to achieve that goal. As we have stated elsewhere, you must decide what the rules are for your family and work during your puppy training toward that end.
And situations differ with regards to a barking dog. A person living in the city in an apartment does not want a dog that constantly barks. This is irritating to you and your neighbors.
On the other hand, I live in the country with livestock. The purpose of my dog outside is to let me know someone has driven up and to keep the coyotes away. She needs to let them know she is here and on duty. Barking is how she warns the coyotes. I have seen her take on a bear standing her ground between it and the livestock, barking until the bear left. I want my dog barking.
So again this goes back to your lifestyle, the way you and your family live and where you live. Consider your purpose in having your dog. Do you want your dog to announce visitors? Do you want your dog to be Lassie and warn of danger to the children? Is your dog a guardian that you take along when you jog? What should your dog be barking at? Do you want your dog barking upon your arrival at home to greet you?
Now that you have decided how much barking you want your dog to do and when, you just take steps in your puppy training to achieve this. The best way to get your dog or puppy to bark when you want is, during puppy training, teaching him to stop when you want. This is how you clue him in to the proper times to bark. You want your puppy or dog barking only when you want.
copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson
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