Barking Dogs - Instead of muzzles or bark collars, I'd like to suggest
that owners of dogs that bark incessantly simply give their dogs regular
exercise. Dogs that bark constantly most likely have pent up energy
that's not being burned off. I've noticed that some owners leave their
dogs in fenced yards and assume that running around the yard is a
substitute for daily walks. It isn't. A 30 minute walk in the morning
and another in the evening allows the dog to expend excess energy and
should cure the barking problem for the most part. Janet Bachman

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Dogs bark continually or repeatedly when they are stressed. High stress levels are not good for anyone.

Trainers and books have lots of suggestions for reducing stress, and thus barking.

Is your dog scared? Lonely? Bored? What would you do if this was your eight-year-old?

Think creatively along those lines.

Most dogs will give a few short barks when first let out into a yard, just to let fellow dogs know he is around, and ask who else is around. And that should be that, if the dog is not stressed.

Goal is to get the dog feeling good about himself and his situation.

Training, treats, toys. Buster cubes that involve a lot of work to get the treats. Stuffed Kong toys that require a lot of work. A "machine" that dispenses stuffed Kongs at timed intervals.

Your dog can be trained not to bark excessively, by positive reinforcement.

Your dog recognizes the scent, footsteps, car engine, of every frequent passerby.

Your dog can be trained to ignore the "regulars" and alert only when there is behavior that is not normal, or a specific threat (My dog barks when mail is put through the slot, into the house, but not when it is left on the porch). Is your dog like mine, razzing people who toss a ball back and forth when someone misses the catch? Dogs learn patterns, what is and is not "normal".

Dog walkers, day care.

But don't just leave the dog with no resources for hours on end, whether in or outside the house.

Jean and Robbie

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