Excessive vocalization is one of the most complicated behavioral problems to deal with, however, if you are able to identify the reasons that cause this behavior in your dog, you can learn to handle it, always following the concepts of operational conditioning and applying the appropriate measures. Techniques that do not harm well-being.
In this article by Animal Expert we will guide you to know what to do if you have a dog that barks a lot, however, if you are not able to solve this problem yourself, we advise you to consult a specialist, such as a specialized veterinarian. in ethology, a canine educator or a trainer with experience in behavior modification.
- Dogs are sociable animals that communicate constantly with other living beings and the environment around them.
- Ethology.
- A science that studies animal behavior.
- Has revealed in recent years some details about canine body language.
- Better known as “signs of calm.
- ” but it has also been revealed that canids use a wide range of vocalizations in their social relationships.
- Which can also have various meanings.
It is important that you know that barking the dog is a communication tool, and it is quite normal that you use it to express emotions, which can be excitement, fear, anger, but it is also normal to use it to get attention. or as compulsive stress-relieving behavior.
Before you start working to solve excessive barking problems, you should learn how to correctly interpret the different vocalizations. To find out what it means to bark at dogs, we show you the key points to interpret:
Dogs can try to get our attention for several reasons: ask for food or attention, warn of the presence of unknown people and animals, ask to play, among other causes. As a tutor, you should learn to recognize your dog’s needs and concerns, which will help you determine the cause of the dog barking.
Keep in mind that in addition to barking, there are other signs that dogs use to get attention.
To solve this behavioral problem of canine barking, it can be helpful to consult a canine behavior specialist, such as an ethology veterinarian, a canine educator or a trainer. These professionals can help you find the cause and source of the problem, as well as provide specific guidelines for your dog’s case.
Ideally, work with a positive education, using the following operational conditioning reinforcements and punishments:
Therefore, to solve this problem of vocalization you need to ignore your dog when it barks, but at the same time you have to deal with it when asking for attention quietly and quietly. It is very important that you are constant and that the whole family works according to the same guidelines, because only in this way will the dog adequately associate the teaching.
Once the dog understands that when he barks he doesn’t get a response from you, he’ll stop barking to get your attention and bet on other behaviors, such as approaching in silence. This whole procedure is known as the “extinction curve”.
Sometimes you see the dog bark loud and more intensely when you start to ignore it, however, if you are constant, extinction will happen successfully, even if it can take a little longer. Note that each case is unique and unique. Remember that to maintain proper behavior for the rest of the puppy’s life, it is necessary to continue to strengthen it whenever it is calm and requires silent attention.
Unfortunately, it is common for keepers to growl or punish the dog for excessive barking, but it is important to know that when a dog is punished for barking, it is paid attention, which ruins all the work done with the use of positive reinforcement. and negative punishment. In addition, it also causes fear, insecurity, confusion and even a breakdown of the bond with the dog.
There are also people looking for a quick and simple solution with the use of bark collars, however, the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE) says the following: [2]
In addition, no study has shown that the bark collar is more effective than the use of positive reinforcement, so we do not recommend the use of this tool.
There are particularly complex cases that will require the assistance of a professional (preferably a veterinarian specialized in ethology) to solve the problem permanently, since certain diseases or behavioral problems can prevent the dog from learning correctly and at a normal pace. An example of this is dogs that bark a lot that have sensory deprivation syndrome.
In such cases, it is common to have individualized behavior modification sessions, the application of specific guidelines, and even the use of medications, which only a veterinarian can prescribe. Therefore, if this is a particularly complex case or someone who does not meet the guidelines described above, we recommend that you consult a specialist.
Finally, get to know the barking of cute and fun dogs in our YouTube video:
If you want to read articles similar to Dog Barking: What to do, we recommend that you visit our Behavioral Problems section.