Updates On 27th Oct 2014

Fortnightly Dog Barking Tip #2

~ Understanding Nuisance Barking Part 2: The Alert Barker

Here�s a tip to help The Alert Barker:

If your dog barks to warn you that there�s something or someone outside your house, the solution is to remove the source(s) of what causes him to bark. If your dog barks at people as they walk past your house, keep your dog inside the house, and block off access to windows or doorways where he can see out into the street or corridor. If he�s barking because he�s sensitive to noises in the surroundings, you can reduce the intensity of these sounds by turning on the radio, and putting your dog in a room furthest away from the source of the noises. Your dog may also need to undergo an appropriate behaviour modification programme to address its noise sensitivity.

Punishing a dog for barking with inappropriate methods (e.g. aversive corrections) and equipment (e.g. training collars like choke chains, prong collars, anti-bark and shock collars), is often ineffective because you�ve only tried to stop the symptoms of the problem, but not solved the cause of it. At best, the dog will not learn anything. In the worst case, it can escalate the problem into something more serious. If you�re not sure about what to do if your dog is barking excessively, please consult a qualified trainer or behaviourist to help you and your dog.

Note: Dogs bark in a variety of situations – in excitement, in fear, to warn, in frustration, to guard, or it may have learned that barking results in something that it wants, e.g. attention. Barking is annoying because it�s loud, it can be prolonged and it can occur at any time of the day or night.

The key to addressing nuisance barking is to find out what is causing the dog to bark and then removing the cause(s) of that barking. The aim is not to stop all barking for good, but to get the barking down to a level and intensity that you can live with.

This tip is crafted by Dr Kang Nee, CPDT-KA, dog behaviourist and trainer at cheerfuldogs.com, SPCA’s dog training partner.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/spcasingapore/photos/a.283797778154..

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SPCA Singapore

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Singapore) is the first registered animal welfare organisation in Singapore. The two main objectives of SPCA Singapore are: to promote kindness to animals and birds, and to prevent cruelty to animals and birds.

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