Article submitted by Caryl Wolff, www.DoggieManners.com

Copyright 2005, Caryl Wolff, All Rights Reserved

Your dog barks; you tell him to stop.  Your Dog Barks; You Tell Him To Stop. YOUR DOG BARKS; YOU TELL HIM TO STOP. Congratulations!  You and your dog are now barking together!!!  

There are general causes for many behavior problems:  lack of physical and/or mental exercise, isolating your dog for extended periods of time, boredom, and loneliness.

There are general solutions for behavior problems, all of which are important:  give your dog more and appropriate physical and mental exercise, the right kind of play, and, especially, the right kind of training.  

One contributor of barking while you are away is excessive petting while you are home.  If your dog asks to be petted and you want to comply, have him sit first and then pet him.

Do you want your dog never to bark?  Probably not.  Do you want him to bark at appropriate times or to shorten the time he is barking?  Probably.  Then teach him to bark at those times.

During the day, praise him when he is quiet.  If you take his good behavior for granted and only pay attention to his misbehavior, you are unintentionally reinforcing the behavior you want to change.

These are only partial solutions and need to be applied in conjunction with a no-force, reward-based training program such as the one I teach.  Learn how to show him acceptable behavior in a way that makes sense to him so you are both working together toward a common goal. 

Please have patience.  Habits do not change overnight.  Give yourself and your dog a chance.

Article submitted by Caryl Wolff, www.DoggieManners.com