Relentless Barking
- WAL writer
- Jan 24, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 22
Do you fear eviction because of noise complaints? Do you dread moving again or, the unimaginable—giving up Fur Baby to keep your housing? Here are some solutions to reduce the barking and your stress.
Your dog barks to communicate. He might be seeking attention, asking to play or warning you of an intruder. She might be trying to tell you how she feels; bored, afraid or anxious when alone. Understanding why your dog barks will help to change his behaviour.
Attention-Seeking Barking
Stop rewarding your dog for barking. She learns that when she barks, people do her bidding. So don't open the door to let her out. Don't throw the ball, or put down her food when she barks. Only Quiet Dog is allowed out. Quiet Dog gets the ball thrown and Quiet Dog gets her bowl of kibble. When your dog responds without barking or when she is quiet, then give her attention. Positive reinforcement is effective.
Hello Barking
We want our dogs to alert us to someone at the door, but not to bark excessively. If your dog doesn't want to stop barking, try throwing her favourite toy for her to fetch. She can't bark with a toy in her mouth.
Use treats as rewards. Teach your dog to go to his bed, lie down and stay. Once he has learned this behaviour, then introduce the doorbell or knocking on the door, and then someone at door. When he is quiet, treat him with praise and food.
Time-outs might also help. Teach your dog that only two or three barks are acceptable If she continues to bark after you say "quiet," then say "too bad," and immediately take her to another room. By removing her from all the excitement she will learn that Quiet Dog gets to have more fun.
Combine both strategies. Teach him to stay quietly on his bed with treats and if he barks, use a time-out.
Territorial Barking
Your dog's bark may also just be him doing his most important job in the world—protecting you and your home. Nothing will deter him from that. So put up some blinds or curtains to obstruct his view of the outside world and prevent him from stressing out over a perceived threat. The sounds from neighbours may also trigger territorial barking, so try to muffle those noises. There are some great dog calming music videos on Youtube. Try keeping a tv or music on just loud enough to mask the noises from neighbours.
Bored Dog
Is your dog under-stimulated? Exercise her daily, as she needs to be sniffing, playing, and running. Check your neighbourhood for the nearest dog park or do a couple of laps around the block. Have your morning coffee while walking him—another great reason to have a dog—he keeps you active. If you can't walk him daily, then hire a dog walker. He deserves it. Get your dog some toys. Puzzle treat balls, rip-and-reveal plushies, and many other brain puzzles and interactive toys are on the market and will stimulate her senses when she's all alone. Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter, freeze it and leave it for your dog to discover for hours of enjoyment when you are away.
Separation Anxiety
Even a well-exercised, adequately stimulated dog may keep barking when left alone. He might suffer from a condition know as separation anxiety. If so, he experiences anxiety and fear when his human leaves. This can lead to many destructive behaviours: urinating, defecating, chewing, digging, barking and howling. Consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
For more information on separation anxiety, check out:
Pet-Cam
Spying is one way to see what your dog is up to. Some cameras allow you to talk to your dog and even to electronically dispense treats, providing positive reinforcement for her quiet behaviour, with the added bonus of giving you god-like power in her eyes. Also, tech is just fun.
Anti-Barking Collars
There are alternatives to shock collars. Spray collars release a scent (citronella or peppermint) that dogs don't like. When he barks, it is released. Pheromone collars and diffusers emit a synthetic chemical hormone helping to calm the dog. Ultrasonic collars emit a frequency 25KHZ that humans can't hear, but dogs dislike. Remember, collars should only be worn for short periods not for the whole day.
Under the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act, a tenant can be evicted when their dog's persistent or frequent barking disrupts or interferes with the enjoyment of the rental property by others. Nuisance barking is defined by animal control bylaws or city noise bylaws in your municipality, some city regulations state 1 minute of persistent barking whiles other are less specific. Check your area's bylaws.
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