No.1 Article of Aggressive Behavior In Dogs

What makes a dog bark?

Aggressive Behavior In Dogs

Initially puppies and dogs bark to attract attention, tip off owners of a stranger or unusual event, or to defend themselves and their property. Most owners appreciate a dog that barks to tip off them when a stranger approaches or there is a knock at the door. The problems start to happen when the dog does not disengage from the barking activity, even if corrected. Some chronic barkers will not stop even if removed from the room and will continue to bark even if settled outside.

Usually dogs that have a problem with barking started this behavior because they were bored or received concentration for barking. Remember that to a dog all concentration is good, even if it is negative. Therefore when a dog is bored, lacks concentration and then barks and gets yelled at, he or she fast learns that barking gets human attention, which is just what he or she wants. Once this pattern has been established it is more difficult to exact than catching it early and stopping it as it develops.

Working With A Puppy or Dog

Puppies are often very cute when they bark and owners do exiguous to exact the barking. Once they become a bit older the problem becomes more annoying, but by then the behavior is established. If you want to have a watchdog consider using the following method:

When the stranger comes to the house or yard and the puppy or dog barks, immediately praise the puppy. After one or two barks say "Enough" or "Stop" and then immediately give them a toy or chew item to distract them from barking. As soon as they take the toy praise them for stopping and contribute concentration for quiet behavior.

If the puppy or dog continues to bark and doesn't take a toy consider giving them a food treat. Again praise as soon as the dog is quiet after you have given the verbal command.

Spend time playing with the puppy and contribute concentration when they are quiet.

Never yell at the puppy or hit the dog to make it stop barking. This will only raise the puppies anxiety level and lead to more barking or even more aggressive behaviors such as biting or running away.

A squirt bottle filled with tap water can also be used to stop the puppy from barking, although this should only be used if other methods fail. Again, the word "Enough" or "Stop" should be used prior to the water bottle, and the puppy should immediately be praised when he or she sits or stands quietly beside you.

For dogs or puppies that bark chronically when the owner is away consider providing more toys and activities for the dog. In increasing take them for a long walk or play games with them to contribute more stimulation before you leave them alone. Try to make the times away from home as short as potential and praise the dog when you get home and all is quiet.

Be as consistent as potential if you are trying to train or exact a barking dog. Always sass the same way to barking. Dogs become very confused if one day they are allowed to bark and other days they given negative concentration for barking. Always pay concentration to the dog when it is quiet or behaving appropriately and spend extra time exercising and playing with the dog or puppy to ensure that they will be tired and relaxed when you are away from home.