A few steps to control your dog's bark
| Sunday, Dec 06 2009 11:23 AM
Last Updated Sunday, Dec 06 2009 11:24 AM
IT'S THE DEED, NOT THE BREED
A nuisance barker is made, not born. As I discussed in the column on digging, dogs that don't have jobs or a way to expend physical and mental energy are going to find a release somehow.
There are breeds that are genetically predisposed to barking, but that is no reason to throw up your hands and say "all (name your breed) bark." That's a cop-out and an excuse not to deal with the problem.
WHAT'S GEOGRAPHY GOT TO DO IT?
New York high-rises are full of people who own dogs and work long days. Their toy and giant breeds must live in harmony in a congested environment. They don't have backyards and they don't allow barking or pooping in the penthouse!
In California, a family buys a house with a big yard and says, "Now we can get a dog." Like that and a bowl of water are all a dog needs.
Dogs with restricted access to a yard are more likely to enjoy their time there. Yard time becomes a reward, not a sentence. By controlling your dog's access to the yard and allowing it out under "your" terms, you are also defining your leadership position.
POLISH YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS
Housebreaking, digging and chewing are problems that frustrate the owner of a dog, but barking and aggression issues affect "other" people's quality of life and safety.
If your dog is a chronic barker, it is up to YOU to do something about it.
Go to your neighbors before tempers flare and enlist their help in controlling the problem. Have them note any specific times the barking occurs or any neighborhood conditions that might provoke it.
Let them know you are sincere in your concern about any inconvenience you are causing them. Check in with them daily to show your commitment to solving the issue. Avoiding them or assuming they aren't bothered allows resentment to build until even barking in appropriate situations will trigger their anger.
PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE
If your dog is a confirmed barker, formulate a game plan. Confinement, exercise, training.
Do those three words look funny to you in the same sentence? Of course, because to most people confinement and exercise don't mix, they think exercise is fun and confinement is cruel. In fact, a balance of all three gives a dog structure.
Teaching a dog that he must remain quietly in a designated place at your bidding is foundational for all working dogs.
Training and controlled exercise are essential for a dog to accept you as a leader.
Of course, he can have playtime! As a reward for respecting the boundaries you've established. Trained dogs get more freedom and live a balanced life.
Don't allow the dog in the house because he's not housebroken or chews? Train him.
Work 10-12 hours a day? Come home at lunch, take him to doggy day care or hire a bonded dog walker. Allergic? Restrict access in the house to one area, bathe weekly to control dander and use an air purifier. Does all of this require effort on your part? Sure it does. That's the responsibility you inherit when you get a dog.
YEAH, HE HEARS YOU, BUT WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
DON'T scream your dog's name out the window when he is barking. You are using his name as a correction or threat. (And people wonder why their dogs don't come when they call them). He's also likely to enjoy your cheering him on in his endeavor as you always "bark" when he does.
Calling your dog inside when he barks can be seen as a reward and reinforce the behavior. If correction is necessary, you should go out to the dog (the scene of the crime), break his attention focus and calmly command him to sit or down stay for several minutes.
He won't do that? Better get the leash out of mothballs and work with your dog until he will obey your verbal cues.
Solving behavior problems always comes down to the owner making an effort to establish rules and boundaries based on training and respect.
THE OTHER SIDE
As someone who has been the victim of a neighbor dog's incessant barking, I can tell you I have a short fuse when subjected to it. I work long hours and treasure my sleep. I want to maintain a good relationship with my neighbors so getting in a Hatfield/McCoy dispute is not an option.
I also know the difference between normal and excessive barking. You should not hesitate to speak to the culprit's owner when the problem begins.
Allowing it to continue for weeks and months is a form of consent to the behavior. Explain your concerns and observe the owner's response. That may be all it takes.
If it continues with no attempt at resolution, you will have to take a firmer stand. I once wrote a note to a neighbor in the middle of the night and stuck it on their door. It said, "Allowing your dog to bark all day is irresponsible. Allowing it to bark after 10 p.m. at night is UNACCEPTABLE."
They got the point and asked me what they could do to control the barking. All you are asking for is acknowledgment that a problem exists and an effort made to correct it.
Calls to Animal Control for excessive barking can result in a complaint being filed with a notice delivered to the owner's door. A second call can result in a visit from an A.C. officer. Multiple complaints may result in an owner getting rid of the dog. Who will knowingly take in a dog with a barking problem? If a home cannot be found, the dog may be dumped or end up at the shelter. All because the owner did not behave in a responsible manner.
BEVERLY HILLS DOG COURT
In 1986, the nation's first private mediation service, devoted exclusively to canine-related disputes, was created by a former Deputy City Attorney and a renowned dog trainer (who would act as the "judge" hearing both sides of a dispute).
In the cases where the owner of the dog was found "guilty" of irresponsible dog ownership, they were directed to complete a basic obedience course with their dog. Failure to do so could result in the plaintiff filing legal charges.
Dog Court was a huge success, solving 30 disputes in the first year and got national coverage as it eliminated a backlog of complaints and created public awareness. I was proud to be associated with this project.
Every month, new regulations are proposed to limit the rights of dog ownership in our communities. If owners continue to abuse their legal and moral boundaries with disregard for the impact of their actions, we will eventually see stiffer laws proposed. This is your wake-up call. Get rid of the problem, not the dog.
TREMENDOUS RESPONSE
I am trying to cover as many problems in this column as possible. Housebreaking, digging and barking have been the most numerous complaints, requiring lengthy discussion so I addressed them first. Be patient and I will get to your problem asap.
Sherry Davis is a dog trainer and the owner of CSI 4 K9s. E-mail her at doglady@ bakersfield.com. These are her opinions and not necessarily those of The Californian.
