It’s a typical problem however it can be a bit annoying The dog is normally at peace when you’re in your home. When you go away, he’s not able to stop his mouth from leaking. The whining and barking are making your neighbors scream.
Your dog’s motives are varied for getting into trouble. Fear, boredom, stress, and anxiety about separation are all reasons common why your dog may bark and beg you to leave.
Instead of being evicted from the neighborhood, use these techniques to divert or deter his behavior from barking. This advice comes from Mary Burch, Ph.D. director of AKC Family Dog and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
Exercise
It is important to ensure that your dogs get enough exercise before leaving early in the morning. Dogs who are tired are more likely to seek an uninterrupted time of rest. If you are able, get an animal walker on the premises during midday.
Toys, canine puzzles
There are numerous homemade and commercial products that give your dog something to do while you’re away. Treats can be put inside the Kong toy and your dog will try to pull them out. This is a behavior that is not compatible with barking.
Sounds that are familiar
A popular suggestion from trainers to dogs that bark, when their owners are away, is to distract the dog with familiar sounds, such as TV or radio. The idea is to are similar to the sounds of the home in the presence of the owner.
Citronella collars
Citronella collars release a blast of citronella whenever your dog barks. Citronella is made of lemongrass oils, and is commonly employed in candles, perfumes, and incense. This collar is thought of as a more humane substitute for shock collars. There is a possibility of a problem with multiple dogs is barking, and the collar can be difficult to put on small dogs. Reviewers on the internet have reported that certain dogs are taught to bark in tones, and frequency that the collar cannot detect.
Anti-barking devices (non-collar)
There is a variety of barring devices that don’t require collars. These devices can detect barking and emit an extremely high-pitched sound only dogs hear.
If your dog barks because of boredom, offering some distractions to keep him entertained, for example, e.g. or a Kong packed with treats or the “brain puzzle” to keep him entertained might solve the issue. However, if the dog’s barking doesn’t stop it could be necessary to look for the cause and go beyond the most obvious solutions.
Be aware that, as an animal’s groomer (or the animal behaviorist) it is your job to determine the purpose of the behavior is vital. When you know what causes his barking, you are able to reduce or eliminate those that cause it.
What are the implications of separation anxiety?
A new study proved that a lot of dog owners and behaviorists recognize that separation anxiety for dogs is a thorny issue. “Remember that anxiety implies that your dog is anxious that they will show some physical signs that can be exhibited through behavior such as pacing panting, whining, or drooling,” Dr. Burch says.
She also says that your smartphone could be an extremely useful instrument to determine the cause of your pet’s behavior. Try a smartphone app such as Barkio and Pet Monitor VIGI, to watch your dog from afar or with a simple camera for your nanny. When you monitor your dog’s behavior from a distance, you’ll have the ability to detect indicators of anxiety in out of the house, as well as observe whether barking occurs when squirrels are in your backyard, or if your dog becomes destructive when bored.
Separation anxiety is difficult to treat However, these top methods of Dr. Burch can help you to tackle the issue. Certain of them are similar to the more common solutions for barking
- Get your dog exercised prior to leaving. This helps your dog be comfortable during your absence.
- You can leave “activities” for your pet to be busy. For example, an appropriate chew toy or a fun game in which your dog is trying to find the treat from the puzzle.
- Conduct training at in your home. Take the dog out for a moment and then return to the house be sure to reward your dog’s calm or quiet behavior. You can add only a few seconds at an interval. While this method works but it does require patience and if you attempt to do too much in a row, it will not be effective.
Based on the extent of the dog’s anxiety issues, it may be necessary to talk to your vet who will prescribe medications that you’ll eliminate.
Engaging an experienced dog trainer is also a great option. Training a dog that is anxious isn’t always simple, and your dog is extremely tuned to how you’re feeling. Engaging a professional can make it easier to remain calm and peaceful and can help your dog remain relaxed too.