‘I’m a dog trainer and barking is your fault but you can stop it’
This dog trainer has said it’s your fault your dog is barking a lot (Stock Image) (Image: Getty)
A dog trainer shared there is a reason your dog won’t stop barking and annoying you – and unfortunately, it does boil down to you. But the good news is you can prevent it from happening.
Holly, an assistant dog trainer who works with Will Atherton, shared the reasons why “you’re teaching your dog to bark,” but it’s a behaviour that can be unlearned by your pooch.
When your dog is barking and you interact with them, by looking or talking to them, this means your pup is is getting exactly what they want from the situation – you to engage with them.
“From your dog’s point of view, barking just did something useful,” because no matter how you reacted, they get some level of attention they wouldn’t necessarily have had if they hadn’t barked.
Most owners also “don’t interrupt it early enough,” and they “let the dog rehearse barking over and over”.
Then, the barking “becomes a habit,” and your dog has just completely forgotten why they were even barking in the first place.
“Dogs are smart and will always repeat what works, especially when they get to practice it every single day,” Holly shared.
She said if you want “barking to improve,” then you simply need to “stop rewarding it,” which means ignoring them when they’re doing it and not even giving them a negative reaction.
“Interrupt it calmly and early, and start teaching them the behaviour you actually want instead,” Holly urged.
In the comments, many people were wondering, though, how you can stop your dog from barking, because it does seem as though it’s something that’s easier said than done.
According to the RSPCA, you can stop dogs from excessively barking. They explained: “Dogs are intelligent, active and social animals, so they need lots of exercise, things to do and company to keep them happy and healthy. If your dog is bored, they might spend more time barking.”
How to stop barking:
Establish a good routine with your dog, as they may be barking to communicate they want to play, eat or need attention. Make sure you have a daily routine in place for your dog, which includes meal times as well as play and exercise, at around the same time each day.
A good routine can help your dog to know what activities are going to happen and when. This may stop them from barking for things at other times.
Research shows eight out of 10 dogs experience stress when left alone and may express it through barking. Find ways to help your dog feel calmer and more relaxed when they’re alone, such as leaving a special toy, using a dog-sitting service or getting the help of a specialist.
It’s important to know the cause of the barking if it’s genuinely persistent, and asking for advice from an expert can help you to understand what is causing the behaviour, and they’ll also be able to point you in the right direction for help.
They share if you need additional support, it’s important to contact an animal behaviourist.
