How Do You Prevent A Dog From Barking Constantly

1. 84

   Inspired to writeposted 13 years ago

   How Do You Prevent A Dog From Barking Constantly
   
   A dog, my next door neighbours, every time I enter my garden she barks. What steps work to stop her as I cannot settle. Her owners do take her inside when they are home as she barks constantly. Is it me who is at fault, should I be doing something. I sometimes ignore her, sometimes I respond politely, sometimes I throw water over her after quite a while & sometimes I shake a noisy tin filled with pebbles when she won't stop, but nothing works.
   
   Thank you Dale

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2. 81

   Thelma Albertsposted 13 years ago

   Hi! I would like to know also how to prevent a dog from barking. Since my dog Angus lives now  in the Philippines, he followed the other Filipino dogs in barking. It nerves me. So, I will be coming back to check the answers. Thank you guys.

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   1. 84

      Inspired to writeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes this is a total mystery & summer is coming too, I spend time in my garden but I know many experts will have then answer (& it is probably a simple solution) so hope they comment to wise us up.
      
      Regards Dale

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3. 73

   CR Rookwoodposted 13 years ago

   I had this problem with a huge Rottweiler that lived next door to a small house where I lived for several years before landing here.
   
   I bought a box of dog treats and started carrying them in my pocket. When I would walk out the back door I would walk over to the fence, talk to the dog and give her a biscuit. I'd keep talking to her and sometimes I'd break the biscuit in two to draw it out. Then I'd end with a 'good girl'.
   
   After about two weeks, she didn't bark at all when she saw me--but she did expect a biscuit, course. I learned that she was actually a really sweet dog, but she got almost no attention from her owners and to make matters worse, she was chained so she couldn't even run around the yard. A couple times she got loose and although she alarmed people she did not bite and was easy to get back in the yard.
   
   When the dog is your own, the way to stop its barking is to go over to the dog, let it know everything is fine, or if the dog is barking at something or someone you acknowledge that thing and thank the dog for pointing it out, then tell it to relax. This really does work.
   
   However, when the dog belongs to someone else, it's often more difficult. It's not your dog. There's a limit to what you can do.
   
   Often people think they can get a dog and just leave it outside all day and night, but dogs are highly social animals. It really is torture for an animal to be ignored like that, so of course they get all keyed up. They aren't getting walked, they aren't getting praised, they aren't getting what they need most.
   
   Try making friends with the dog. If it's a young active dog, that might not be enough, but you never know until you try.
   
   Good luck!

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   1. 82

      Becky Katzposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is a wonderful suggestion and it is the one I would suggest. Make friends with it and it will stop barking at you.

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   2. 81

      Thelma Albertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you CR Rookwood for your very, very helpful advice. I appreciated it so much. Have a great weekend!

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   3. 84

      Inspired to writeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Amazing, just like a dog psychologist CR, after reading your input I suddenly have a very different outlook on this question aspect I put out there I will adhere to these tactics.
      
      Thanks for sharing
      Regards Dale

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   4. 73

      CR Rookwoodposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh thanks everyone! I hope it works. It doesn't always but no harm in trying! Y'all have a great weekend too.

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4. 60

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 13 years ago

   Is she alert barking or barking for attention - can you tell? You can ask your neighbors if you can spend some time getting to know here - that may decrease her barking. She may want to meet you but is frustrated because she cannot. She may be alert barking, which if this is the case, if you get to know her, her barking should decrease because you will be deemed less of a threat. But you need to be consistent in your approach. Ask your neighbors if they mind if you give her a few treats. If she is barking to get attention, ignore her when she is barking, and when she is quiet, say "YES!" and go give her attention and some treats. When she barks, walk away. She may intensify her barking to get your attention before she reduces her barking. If you have to live next to her, I would suggest taking a friendly approach and becoming the dog's friend. She may be frustrated due to lack of exercise and interaction with people.

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   1. 84

      Inspired to writeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Dub it seams like it is I who needs to understand, & become more sociable towards the dog, great tips, can't wait to try them out, will let you know.
      
      Regards Dale

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