How do I keep Golden from barking all the time?

Question: What is the best method for teaching a dog not to bark? My golden retriever barks, especially at the birds in our yard, but also at various other times. I just want to know the best way to get him to listen to me. I tell him “no bark” and sometimes it works. — Lorraine

Answer: Barking is a normal behavior. If your Golden Retriever has a strong hunting instinct, he is probably really excited about the birds and wants to get to them. Then, when he can’t he gets frustrated and he starts to bark.

Barking at different sounds and people that come onto a dog’s property are also considered normal behaviors. Now, some dogs are anxious and take territorial behavior to the maximum by throwing their body at the window when someone is outside. This is outside of what would be considered normal for this behavior.

Even though barking is a normal behavior, when it is excessive, it can be annoying and cause neighbors to complain. If your dog’s primary vice is normal barking that is taken to excess, you should concentrate on keeping him busy.

He needs exercise and enrichment in the way of toys and training. Block off the parts of the house that allow him to see the stimuli outside so that he isn’t tempted to bark. Just those simple steps will make barking less exciting and available as self stimulation.

As for teaching him not to bark, that is pretty simple. I generally start by stimulating the dog to bark once, maybe by knocking on the door. Then, I say, “Quiet” and hand the dog a treat. I continue on that way, until the dog makes the connection that “quiet” = treat. You will know that this is happening because the dog will hear quiet and look directly at you and not bark.

Then, you are ready to increase the amount of time that your dog has to be quiet to get the treat to about 15 seconds. Once you have done that, you can start to increase the level of the stimulus. The end result is that the dog hears “quiet” and comes to you for a treat instead of barking.

Now, you will need to pay attention and get him engaged in something else at that point or he will go back to barking. Remember that if he is well exercised and stimulated he will not be as driven to bark in the first place.

Dr. Radosta

Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
Read more articles by Dr. Radosta | Ask her a question

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2011/03/10/how-do-i-keep-golden-from-barking-all-the-time/

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