We all use a unique language in order to connect with the world around us. People talk to convey a message. The same goes for animals like birds that does it by chirping or cats by meowing. Regardless of size, our four-legged best friends bark to also communicate. If you observe and listen closely to your pet’s barking in different situations, you will see that there are actually various tones and canine body movements that can tell us exactly why Fido is barking. While some dogs bark for good cause, some do so for little or no apparent reason at all. Of course, there are also specific dog breeds that are naturally prone to barking more than others like Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fox Terrier, and Beagle to name a few.
How to Stop Your Small Dog from Too Much Barking
Dogs bark for numerous reasons. They could be doing it to give us (or another animal) a warning, to sound an alarm, to play or instigate play, to express excitement or distress, to demand a reaction, to drive another animal or object away, and sometimes, dogs bark just for the sake of it. On occasion, it could be a combination of any of these reasons.
Before we can correct our dogs unwanted barking, we first need to determine the exact reason why he is excessively doing it. This involves careful observation of when your pooch barks, the tone of his barks, and what sort of body language accompanies these situations. Review the possible triggers below:
- Boredom. Dogs are generally social animals and many of them get bored or lonely when left alone, causing them to become destructive at times. More often than not, bored dogs or those who only want attention may only require more exercise to release their pent up energy or may just need someone to keep him company while you are away.
- Dog Separation Anxiety – Usually accompanied by whining and high-pitched barking, separation anxiety in dogs often occurs when your dog is locked up or is left alone for an extended period of time, causing him to become anxious.
- Protectiveness. If you have some people or animals constantly on and around your property, barking can be a way for your dog to try to guard the family and the territory.
- Physical Pain. If your pooch is suffering from an injury or some sort of illness, the only way he can probably relay that he is in pain or in some kind of discomfort is through barking.
By clearly identifying the specific reason why your pet barks excessively, you would determine what kind of fix has to be done. While some solutions jump right out at you, some may require some more planning and patience to get the problem solved.
- If your dog is alone too often, the answer might be just by spending more time with him or by getting someone or a pet to keep him company. Or if he’s simply bored, giving him more play time and enough physical stimulation every day will surely keep him occupied and worn-out.
- Another way to get Fido’s barking under control is by using positive training methods. Start by getting your dog’s attention to stop his barking. You may clap your hands, call his name, or use a clicker to re-direct his focus. As soon as your dog stops barking, give him a reward like a little praise or some treats.
- Teach your pooch some basic commands like sit, down, stay, heel, etc. He will definitely have fun spending time with you at the same time learning new things through training. Just be consistent when teaching your dog new tricks. Use timely corrections and praise him for any display of positive behavior.
