A dog that’s happy will also bark. And we all want our dogs to be happy. You might think that training a dog not to bark goes against nature.
Well, it’s really the “wrong time/place/person” that concerns us. The good news — like all actions of a dog, the proper training and techniques will definitely help.
Let’s look at 2 very effective dog discipline techniques when training a dog not to bark –
1. Be firm with your dog that you want him or her to stop barking
Like any other dog behavioral training, you must convey strongly to your dog when you don’t want him or her to do something, in this case barking. In other words, stop when you want it to stop.
Here’s what to do when training a dog not to bark. After a few barks, tell your dog in a firm strong voice to “Stop!”. At the same time, show him or her a yummy treat. In all likelihood, your dog will stop barking, hoping to have a bite at the treat. On your part, give it a moment of silence, praise your dog, then give the treat.
The next time you do this, increase the interval between the barking stopping and the handing over of the treat. You can see that training a dog not to bark is not all that difficult right?
2. Give your dog enough exercise and activity
As you know, dogs lead simple lives. You are the center and walkies are the highlight of the day.
It’s no wonder that many dogs bark out of boredom, frustration or lack of attention. So, in training a dog not to bark, make sure you pay him or her enough attention, especially with good solid walks. Heck, teach your dog new tricks. In other words make your dog’s life fuller. You’ll find that he or she will want to bark far less.
As you can see above, you just have to be firm and in charge. And, you need to ensure your dog has a full life. Strangely enough, most of us don’t realize that the solution usually just involves making sure your dog is not bored!
Try the 2 techniques above for training a dog not to bark and see for yourself how simple and effective this kind of dog discipline training can be. The best part is your dog will respect you and love you more. And who wouldn’t want that?
By: Damon Trentwood
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But then, the horror begins. The dog you brought home seems to be anything but the adorable creature you expected it to be. His (or her) behavior is terribly unpredictable and can even be downright embarrassing at times. The dog you brought home to provide you companionship just sits around at the corner of your home, seemingly bored at the things happening around him (or her).
So you read all the books and even went to a dog training class to teach your dog a thing or two about obedience, but you still get no good results. This may lead you to think there is something inherently wrong with your dog. Is he (or she) just plain lazy, hardheaded or a little bit slow in the head?
Have you considered its lineage? Some breeds of dogs are simply not born to be followers; making them naturally hard to train.
Have you taken an honest look at your self and your training style? Are you observing the proper dog training techniques? It would be a good idea to make sure that you do, to make both of your lives easier and to make your dog training sessions an enjoyable and fruitful experience for both of you. To help you make your training sessions easier, here is a list of the most commonly committed dog training mistakes. Please avoid them at all costs.
•Not giving enough rewards during the training - Providing treats is one indispensable part of dog training. It gives your dog enough motivation to continue following your commands satisfactorily. However, some dog owners shun this idea. They simply do not want to provide treats during their dog training sessions because they feel that they would not retain authority if ever they do so. They believe that it is the dog’s role to follow their commands and giving them treats would be like bribing them.
•Being too controlling - Some owners simply have a “control” problem and can be quite overbearing, nagging and perfectionist during their dog training sessions. If you happen to be one of these control freaks and you own a hard-to-train dog, you can expect to be in for a very hard time!
•Being a training fanatic - Training your dogs too often, or repeating the same exercises over and over again, may bore him (or her). This is especially true when you own an independent dog, one that was simply not bred to obey his master’s commands. Among these are dogs that belong to the non-sporting, terrier and hound breeds.
•Not giving attention to the dog’s emotions - Some owners neglect to give enough attention to their dog’s feelings during their training sessions. This can be a major problem indeed! Especially during training, it is important to consider how your dog is feeling to get the most out of your efforts. So whenever you observe his (or her) reluctance in doing the exercises, if you notice excessive yawning or that your dog simply refuses to look at you, it may be best to stop and let it loose for a while. Your dog might already be tired or bored from all that physical exertion!
By: Michael Russell
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Your Independent guide to Dog Training
Gun dogs
Gun dogs have plenty of energy, and really enjoy and need work to do to keep them happy. They dislike being left on their own for long periods of time even more than most dogs.
Examples - Springers, setters and Labrador retrievers
Toy Dogs
These breeds were specifically bred to be human companions and as such need a lot of contact with humans.
Examples - Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers
Terriers
Are characteristically small but tough, terriers were originally bred to catch and chase small animals. They are stubborn dogs that rarely give in if they don’t want something.
Herding Breeds
These breeds were bred to herd livestock so are naturally full of energy and have incredible stamina. As such they need regularly walking to get the exercise they require. Herding breeds are usually very loyal to their owner.
Examples - German Shepherd, collies
While it is important to all dog owners to have a dog they like the look of, avoid the temptation to buy a dog purely on looks without looking into the characteristics of the breed. You should also consider the differences between male and female dogs.
By: Richard Cross Terris
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