Stop Dog Barking (part 2)

Continued from previous article....

Since dogs bark for many different reasons and are hard-wired to do so, it is one of the most difficult behaviors to get complete control over. And as I stated on page one of Teaching Your Dog Not to Bark, your Miniature Schnauzer really is after all, just a dog and that's what dogs do, they bark. So you can't expect your Miniature Schnauzer to stop barking completely because it's an instinctual innate behavior for him.

But there is good news.... You can train your dog to be quiet, at least for a while.

Types of Barking

There are several different types of barking. And you probably can tell the difference with your own dog.

For instance, dogs bark during play, when they're excited, if the want attention, or if they're bored, and many other reasons.

ALERT BARK >

This is usually welcomed by us and our dogs do it to make us aware of something or alert us to a situation.

For example: Let’s say your Miniature Schnauzer is sitting in front of the window looking out and begins barking. If after a few moments the barking continues, go see what the fuss is all about. You may notice the UPS truck, a kid riding his bike, whatever it is, your Miniature Schnauzer is conveying an alert bark. And you should welcome this.

This happens at my house all the time and it is easily corrected when I go see what all the fuss is about. I simply go to the window and look out and say something like... "Oh I see, It's Okay, Thank You"... and then I return to whatever I was doing before.

I think it’s important to acknowledge the bark because I want my Miniature Schnauzer to communicate with me. I want him to alert me or put me on notice that something’s amiss. I can then decide if it's something important or not. And once I acknowledge what it is my Schnauzer is trying to tell me, the barking stops.

Another type of barking is non-stop excessive type and that can drive you mad. 

EXCESSIVE BARKING >

This type of barking is usually brought about because the dog has pent-up energy and is bored. The best solution for this type of barking is exercise. Take your dog for a brisk walk around the neighborhood or go out back for a game of fetch.

Notice both activities mentioned include you. So don't just open the back door and let your dog outside. This is not exercise. In fact he will probably start barking outside which will drive your neighbors crazy. And that might even have them notify the authorities.

Making sure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise is the key and will greatly improve your dog's overall behavior.

If despite all your efforts, your Schnauzer never seems to settle down, you might want to consult your veterinarian or a professional trainer to help you get the situation under control.

Tips and Warnings

1. NO Shouting: Shouting at your dog will only elevate his anxiety levels and may even cause him to bark more.
2. Ignore the barking. If your dog is barking for attention, ignore him. Turn your back to your dog and wait for him to get quiet.
   
3. Remove the stimulus: If your dog continues to bark at the kids playing outside (after you've already acknowledge the activity and told him it was okay) it's time to pull down the blinds.
   
4. Training: Train your dog to SPEAK or bark on command AND  Train your dog how to be QUIET or not bark on command. Teaching your Miniature Schnauzer both of these commands will give your better control over his barking behavior.
5. Exercise: The number one cause for unwanted dog barking is pent-up energy. So if you take you Schnauzer on a brisk 30 minute walk and engage him in some physical activity, you will find he no longer needs to bark. So just exercise your dog and you'll see dramatic improvements.
6. Left Alone too Long: Dogs are social animals and need attention and communication from us. Even if you are at home with your Schnauzer but not paying him attention, he will get bored and agitated. But, this is an easy fix. Just take a few breaks throughout the day and spend 15 minutes playing, training, or walking your dog. You both will benefit from a healthy dose of affection and attention.

Don't Wait. Start Training Your Dog Right Now!

Dog Training Series

• Dog Training Tips
• Dog Training Aids
• Positive Reinforcement Training
• Puppy Training
• Dog Obedience Training
• Fun Dog Tricks
• Advanced Dog Trick Training
• Cool Dog Tricks
• Teach Dog Hand Signals
• CGC Training Test
• Your Training Questions

Training should be reinforced throughout your dog's life!

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Related Topics:
★ Teaching Your Miniature Schnauzer not to Bark
★ Teach Your Dog to Speak
★ Teach Your Dog to be Quiet
★ Separation Anxiety in Dogs