With summer around the corner, windows and patio doors are being left open and people are spending time outside after months of being locked up away from the dreary rain.
Our summers are short up in this hemisphere and we all want to be able to enjoy the season as much as we can. And nothing can ruin that enjoyment faster than a nuisance barker.
If you have a dog, you know that it barks. Barking and dogs are synonymous. Dogs bark to communicate to one another, to their owners and to strangers.
Part of the reason we have dogs in our lives is because they bark. Their bark alerts us when something is unfamiliar in the area and could pose a threat. They bark in an attempt to chase the unfamiliar thing away. Both of those scenarios are wanted barking behaviours and we encourage it because it helps us feel safe.
Unwanted barking behaviour is another story. We don't want that. Seriously, who likes to hear the neighbour's dog barking all night long, or all day long for that matter? It's disruptive, it's a nuisance and it is inconsiderate. In some municipalities, it is also worthy of a visit from a bylaw officer.
This nuisance barking is not typical dog behaviour and shouldn't be excused as such. It is just that, a nuisance, and can you guess how it develops? Yup, humans. Dogs who are left alone for any great length of time on a repeated basis with little or no exercise beforehand often bark, all day or all night long. A well-exercised dog rarely exhibits excessive barking because it is too tired to bother. A dog that lacks adequate leadership and guidance in its life can be a nuisance barker. It feels as though it is its job to protect its pack and often becomes hyper-vigilant and begins to bark at the slightest noise, whether it's another dog, a person walking down the street, kids playing in the lane or even a squirrel running along the power line. The insecurity brought about by not having an adequate leader promotes excessive barking.
How does one "fix" a nuisance barker? With exercise and behavioural management.
First off, exercise the dog every day for at least an hour. Yes, this requires time out of the day. If that can't be done, set aside a weekly budget for a dog walker. It may take a week or so for the dog to get some of its pent-up energy out, but it will happen.
Next, don't leave the dog in the yard all day, especially in an attempt to give the dog exercise. Dogs don't run laps in the backyard in their owner's absence to exercise themselves. They sit around and listen to the sounds around them. A nuisance barker has become habituated to barking at sounds and sights in the neighbourhood. When left alone outside, it starts to listen for those sounds to start its barking marathon. Having the luxury of a fenced backyard does not exempt you from the daily duty of exercising your canine companion. Exercise your dog!
There are tools and devices such as no-bark collars, but all they do is temporarily suppress the bark. The behavior that is causing the dog to bark still remains. If this behaviour is not dealt with, it will get worse and the dog will begin to express its frustrations in other ways which are typically more destructive and detrimental to the dog's physical and mental well-being. No-bark collars can be effective to break a barking habit when combined with proper behavioural management and training with a qualified trainer. But on their own, they can be harmful and I do not personally recommend them.
Finally, a nuisance barker is often seeking attention. This means that spending quality time with its pack instead of being secluded in the yard or another part of the house, combined with adequate exercise, can often stop the disruptive behaviour.
Adequate exercise, proper leadership and quality social interactions are all basic needs that can satisfy many unwanted canine behaviours.
Be considerate of your neighbours by being responsible for your dog's behaviour and how it affects others.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
