Barking Dog Begone, Doggone It! Guest Blog by Janet Goodman

A desperate Florida dog owner once called me for professional help. “I’ve tried everything” she said, frustrated by trying to rid her pet of barking behavior. We set up an appointment to meet the following week. She and her energetic beagle arrived on time for their lesson. As they walked up to my office, I watched them from a large window facing the parking lot. The closer they got into view, the clearer it became that something was very wrong with her dog.

Where fur no longer grew on his face, there were numerous, thick and deeply etched black scars. After we shook hands, I asked what on earth had happened to her dog. She then proceeded to shock me with a tortuous story of her wrapping duct tape around his snout to prevent him from barking whenever he was in the backyard. One evening, though, she forgot to bring in the dog for the night, and by the following morning, the beagle’s face was in shreds from him frantically clawing at the tape. I was speechless. Believe it or not, this scenario isn’t rare. (hit read more)

I’ve gotten plenty of calls from Miami dog owners inquiring about muzzling their dogs in order to stop barking. Muzzles are never meant to be used as tools to handle barking. Their primary function is to prevent bites from occurring in certain threatening situations, such as during veterinary examinations or while grooming aggressive dogs. I would never recommend leaving a muzzled dog unsupervised.

Most barking is considered normal and even good behavior by dog owners. An extra set of eyes and ears can bring comfort to those living alone, especially when a dog sounds the alarm over something suspicious. This natural canine behavior turns into a problem when this protective and territorial barking becomes excessive. The simple act of letting an outside barker back into the house can bring a halt to some barking.

Separation anxiety is often the cause of inappropriate barking and whining while the owner is away from home. Dog owners who have recently moved to new surroundings often have this particular issue. Giving a dog the safe environment of a kennel crate taps into the dog’s natural need for a den, and can relieve this anxiety-driven behavior. An enclosed crate, big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in, but snug enough so he feels secure, is the best training investment a dog owner can make. Guilt feelings should be cast aside in order to help the problem pet overcome these issues.

Practicing coming and going from the house can also be an effective training method for putting a stop to nuisance barking. Owners can leave for ten minutes, then return, increasing the intervals gone as they practice everyday. Twenty minutes prior to leaving and twenty minutes after returning home should be a time to ignore the pet. This can lessen the excitement, thus creating an atmosphere of calm. A radio or TV can be left on to muffle outside noises that can spur barking, also adding a human touch to the house while away.

Rescue Remedy by Bach is a natural product made from flower essences that can be administered in the dog’s mouth prior to or during a stressful event, such as a thunderstorm or leaving the house. Four drops of Rescue Remedy will take the edge off of his distress and help an anxious dog to relax without tranquilizers. Most health food stores carry the product, as it is safe for humans, as well as dogs.

These are low-key/low-cost techniques to deal with separation anxiety barking. It is recommended to always begin here and leave some wiggle-room if they become no longer effective measures. At that point, a professional trainer might be needed to coach in alternative correction training techniques.

By "Good Dog Bad Dog" trainer, Janet Goodman.